Yaamon,
I am curious... I am also a complete newbie to OTA for HD. Still reading trying to figure out which way to go.

Given everything I read in this thread... I would have thought that 4221 would have been enough and for the west end of TO to get both TO and Buffalo.

Or are you suggestion the 4228 because of the distance to
Buffalo?

Just trying to learn.

teenie yes with a clear view and depending on location a 4221 is good enough to get Toronto and the Buffalo channels.

Since he mentioned that he had his current antenna in the attic I presume he would also install his antenna there. If that is the case then you want the highest gain antenna as you will lose some signal going through the roof.

Thanks Yaamon...yes, thats correct, if I can get away with it, I'd prefer putting it in the attic.

I just wasnt sure about the wideness of the 4228 that it would pick up both!

Here is a map I got from remote central so you can clearly see where Cn tower, Grand Island and south Buffalo is.

This is with my crappy freehand drawing a line but you can clearly see from your location you are easily within the coverage of the 4228.

http://pic5.picturetrail.com/VOL83/536944/4741575/118989100.jpg

This map is without the line.

http://pic5.picturetrail.com/VOL83/536944/4741575/118989071.jpg

Any good experience on ordering one of those Channel Master 4228 from the states? Any specific recommendations?

They seem exhorbitant in Canada...

Now any good experience on ordering one of those from the states? Any specific recommendations?
They seem exhorbitant in Canada...

I went the States route for my 4228 but I have relatives south of Buffalo as a delivery address. Such a large item is better bought in Canada and at the prices quoted in the previous post, you can't do better.

spmarceau, there are a few earlier posts in this thread about buying stuff in the U.S. such as CM4228 antennas.

Thanks great pics!

Now, for an attic install, whats the width (or height whatever is smaller) of a 4228? On the net I found conflicting info...34 and 39 (might be shipping size?)...I have a feeling 34 would go through the ceiling door, but 39? not sure...

teenie yes with a clear view and depending on location a 4221 is good enough to get Toronto and the Buffalo channels.

Since he mentioned that he had his current antenna in the attic I presume he would also install his antenna there. If that is the case then you want the highest gain antenna as you will lose some signal going through the roof.

Well that is great news!

What do you mean by a clear view... unobstructed by trees or my buildings.. or both!

From the maps you provide my location would about mid point between the 427 and the Humber rivber(blue line on the map west of your hand drawn line)


Sure do appreciate the information!

teenie a clear view means no trees or house. It all depends on how close those are to the antenna.

AT my parents in their back yard they have trees taller than the antenna that I installed and they are only 25 feet away and all the Buffalo stations including Nbc comes in at 94% and Fox at 98% with a 4221 and no preamp. This was using the atsc tuner in a Sony 42A10.

I have seen on other setups trees further away and about the same height and the signal was lower.

What is your closest intersection as I don't understand where you are.

Now, for an attic install...AAARRRRGGGGHHH!!!! ;) See this post if you really want to know how I feel about attic installations:

http://www.digitalhomecanada.com/forum/showpost.php?p=207819&postcount=1

:)

Now, for an attic install, whats the width (or height whatever is smaller) of a 4228?

It is 39" X 36 1/4" to be precise.

Thanks Yaamon, I am in the Islington and Eglinton area.
I definitely have trees south of me about 40 feet away from where the antenna might be place, the tree is easily 25 ft taller than the house.

Looking at your location Toronto would be quite a bit east of where you would point the antenna for Buffalo the Toronto signal maybe come in a little weak.

Because you are so closer to the Cn tower you may still get those stations properly.

When I pointed my 4228 for Rochester the antenna would still pickup all the Toronto stations except Sun at 6 to 7 bars out of 10.

At this angle the 4228 is not supossed to get signal off the Cn tower because at this angle it's supossed to be a null.

Because the Cn tower is so high and my view clear the antenna is still able to get enough signal to get a steady and stable signal.

From your location Grand Island and south Buffalo is fine.

Your best bet would be a 4221 that has a wider angle of coverage compared to a 4228.

It's hard to say without seeing it but your best height and chances would be a small tripod mount on your roof with a 4221 if those trees are 25' higher than where your antenna is looking.

AAARRRRGGGGHHH!!!! ;) See this post if you really want to know how I feel about attic installations:


:)

Ya, I saw that indeed...I'm already getting Buffalo stations (analog only) with the rabbit ears up there...so I thought it may be worth a shot.

I have a fall back option on the roof. There's a "Look" antenna up there, they never removed it and I never used it...so it may be easy to put it on there and removed that Look thing.

36.5 may be just a little tight...Does it come apart in any way? or folds? ( I have a feeling that its a NO).

Searching the NET for sizes, I also came across this

Wineguard PR-8800

http://www.starkelectronic.com/wnpr8800.htm

Anybody know anything about them? Comparison to CM4228?

...but your best height and chances would be a small tripod mount on your roof with a 4221 if those trees are 25' higher than where your antenna is looking.Thanks Yaamon, I have also read about STACKING or combining two attenna's. From what I gather the best bet is to try the one and then
put up the second if required.

teenie yes try a 4221 and then go from there.

If you need another 4221 stack them and slightly offset one antenna if you need. If you keep the angle within 20' they should work good.

Stacking is cheaper than a rotor if the angle between the antenna's is not too great.

From you location you are fine if you need to go stacking. :)

Wineguard PR-8800

http://www.starkelectronic.com/wnpr8800.htm

Anybody know anything about them? Comparison to CM4228?Only second hand reports that they don't match the CM4228. If you check the Outdoor Antennas thread there's mention of an AntennasDirect 8-way bowtie reflector that matches the CM4228 but is much more expensive.

teenie yes try a 4221 and then go from there.

If you need another 4221 stack them and slightly offset one antenna if you need. If you keep the angle within 20' they should work good.

Stacking is cheaper than a rotor if the angle between the antenna's is not too great.

From you location you are fine if you need to go stacking. :)

Great Info! Much appreciated! Yes, the rotor is something I was hoping to avoid unless I had no choice.

But I do have another question!
I just do not understand the 20' ??? IS that 20' in height apart? or just 20' apart... or something completely different?

opps 20' I meant in degrees.

What I would do if you have a dual antenna setup is point one for Nbc for maxium signal.

Then the second antenna point it for Fox and Toronto.

Then check back the signal strength that Nbc is still the same or stronger than before with the second antenna hooked up.

If not just slightly close the anlge between the two antenna's maybe a 1/2" inch each.