Yeah, a rotator is not an option for varying reasons (namely my receiver is absolutely stupid when it comes to memorizing channels - it deletes everything on a rescan) so for me, a rotator would involve a new tv or a new OTA HD box... both of those, in addition to a rotator are not options.

my only choice would be a multi antenna setup, in terms of keeping costs under control.

The only thing I haven't tried is two antennas pointing in different directions due to money and reviews that say it doesn't work well.Actually it can work very well so I'm not sure where you saw that. The issue is that it can be a real hassle to get it working right in the first place, but with time and experimentation many people have worked out excellent double-antenna solutions. :)

mk, have you tried a rescan since, june 12? ch 49 moved, silly enough, back to ch 49. :)
I use a multi antenna setup. I was where you are with the "in the middle" over 3 yrs ago. I went to 2, then 3 antennas.

Yeah, a rotator is not an option for varying reasons (namely my receiver is absolutely stupid when it comes to memorizing channels - it deletes everything on a rescan) so for me, a rotator would involve a new tv or a new OTA HD box... both of those, in addition to a rotator are not options.

my only choice would be a multi antenna setup, in terms of keeping costs under control.
mkmorris,

Yes, multiple antennas if you don't mind spending some time in combining them to get it working properly...Check some of the forum threads and see how other's experience with that options. If things don't work out, just use an A-B switch for two antennas.

Tom... I tried a rescan on the 12th and 13th. I wasn't sure as I saw something about it moving from a "temporary" transmitter to a "permanent" one and was hoping that would help... alas it didn't.

Tom, whereabouts are you? As you can probably tell by my "in the middle" comment, I am in Scarberia, at Orton Park / Lawrence pointing somewhere out into Lake Ontario, I think by the compass the long lobe of my CM4221HD is aimed right at Buffalo and my side lobe is picking up Toronto/Hamilton. And when you say you have three???? One for buffalo, one for toronto and one for??? (rochester???).

Stampeder, I know it *can* work very well - The antenna guy I talked to cautioned against it and pretty much told me he really, really didn't recommend it, but I understand that it can work well. I may just go out and do it, because if I had one antenna to point to buffalo and one to toronto that would be ideal assuming i can combine the feeds with no a/b switches or anything.

Actually if anyone knows someone with experience that can be recommended in Scarborough/Toronto - PM me. I have a full setup working, the access is easy off the roof via ladder or actually just standing on an easy slope roof, I just don't have the time to screw around when I know someone could both antennas aimed in far less time then I could ;) Hell, I'll even go out and buy and then put up the second cm4221, get the cable lengths exactly the same, get a combiner, whatever - just the aiming part... between satellites and ota antennas, I'm frankly worn out with aiming heh.

Well, got everything finally in place and hooked up this afternoon. The antenna is still a very mildly modified 4221HD (only removed the plastic caps) at 24 feet from ground. It is about 7 feet off the roof, after lowering it a bit due to wind concerns, with about 45 feet of RG-6 to get to the TV. I played for a while to get as many decent signals as possible without a rotor. It is currently pointed between 175-180 degrees on the compass (Buffalo broadcast towers are between 170-186 from here). With the subs, I'm up to 32 channels today in digital:

2.X - WGRZ
4.X - WIVB
5.X - CBLT (CBC)
7.X - WKBW
9.X - CFTO
11.X- CHCH
17.X- WNED
21.X- WXXI
23.X- WNLO
25.X- CBLFT
26.X- WNYB
29.X- WUTV
36.X- CTS
41.X- CIII (Global)
44.X- OMNI-2
49.x - WNYO
51.X - ION
57.1 - CITY
64.1 - OMNI-1
66.1 - CKXT (SunTV)

I was not expecting the Rochester signal, which may be a lucky pickup, but I rather like their PBS sub-channel offerings compared to those of WNED. To get these, I have had to compromise on the signal strength from the two edges of the arc, so I'll wait for bad weather to see how well this holds up, particularly with Global and Rochester. The only ones coming in at 100% are WGRZ and WNYO. Most Toronto stations are showing in the 50-70% range, Buffalo stations are generally 50-60% strength and the Rochester is down at a steady 42%. The analogue signals are not so good with this aim, and while not a problem for most as they have a digital feed, TVO has a ton of ghosting. I was hoping I could get that one as I'm more of the science and documentary type of person.

My STB locked an audio only signal at 16.1, but I can't hear anything being broadcast...any ideas on what this one might be, or what might be coming?

You'll find WXXI comes and goes but you can get it pretty much every day during the summer. When the winter comes, you won't recieve it.

there is a discussion going on in the buffalo status thread about audio subchannels. 16.1, is from wxxi rochester, but without the re-map i get it on 16.7. The say it is multicast, i just don't know how to change stations when they have no info for mapping?

morris, i have 2 antennas pointed at buffalo for more gain than the single pointed at toronto/hamilton.
Aiming is easy, one person moves the antenna, the other watches the signal meter on the tv. Cell phone outside and a landline inside.

twinz,

Very good...However, we have some Dxing going on these few days, you may get some mix results.

At Ajax location, we should be able to get Buffalo channels with very strong signal strength (like 100% depending on your TV's meter) for 4.x, 7.x, 17.x, 29.x, 57.x, 44.x, 41.x, 64.x, 66.x, 5.x, 9.x, 25.x.

The Grand Island and cn tower are about 70 degrees apart (TVfool info) in terms of channels separation location. A little aiming optimization will get you there assuming you have LOS...

ION channel is coming in strong this morning. Enjoy the free HD TV!

Do any of you guys use a external tuner? Also from scarborough near the lake should I point directly S? or S-W?

Thanks

bluffer,

Where is your major intersection at Scarborough? The tvfool.com can provide reception/channels info for your location. Just enter the Canadian postal code (ignore the zip code) and 30' for height of your antenna.

Scarborough is a prime location to get CN tower and Buffalo channels!

Do any of you guys use a external tuner?There are quality differences between Converter Boxes so you need to read all about them here to find the best ones:

ATSC Converter Boxes (Non-HD, Non-Recording) (http://www.digitalhome.ca/forum/showthread.php?t=42186)

Don't use your postal code in the zip code field on tvfool - at least for me it doesn't give the right results. Find your coordinates (use google earth if you can't find them elsewhere) and use those instead -> much more accurate!

For TVFool use in Canada just follow the step-by-step instructions in Post #10 of the OTA FAQ.

Some update...Tired of getting the ION (51.x) station only based on Dxing. I re-adjust my one of my CM4221HD to point through the trees and hit all channels for CN-Tower/Buffalo/Hamilton with about 90-100% signal strength.

The spare CM4221HD points at ION (51.x, Batavia) stations, the signal strength came in at about 90%! Surprisely I can also receive some additional channels (abt 15% signal strength) such as WROC, WXXI and WUHF from Rochester!

Just love the flexibility of CM4221HD.

ION is a permanent fixture at my location. The trick is to point your antenna directly at them and use a pre-amp. Hey, i only have an attic mounted system.

I have a HDTV indoor/outdoor antenna from Monoprice.

I am located in Ajax lakeside and with it I only get 5-1, 9-1, 11-1, 25-1, 36-1, 41-1, 44-1, 64-1, 66-1 so thought I may need a amplifier then bought a PCT-MA2-M off ebay. I replaced original transformer with PCT-MA2-M but no signal at all. It seems PCT-MA2-M doesn't work with MONOPRICE antenna, any idea?

noise from the amp will cause signal loss.

HelloStar,

Get a CM4221HD antenna, we are in perfect location to get all those channels from CN tower/Hamilton/Buffalo.