If the FM reception you mentioned is important to you then the 4228 with a rotor is probably the way to go. I think the FM frequencies are around the channel 7 vhf area which the 4228 can handle but the 4221 apparently doesn't.

FM radio is actually closest to VHF-Low Channel 6, but the CM4228 seems to do a respectable job with it anyways as long as the range is not expected to be more than 80 to 100km (in my own experience). 4-bay reflectors like the CM4221 have almost no gain in the FM band.

Guys
Thanks for the extra details and the coordinates. I am going to get the 4221 since the HD signals are more important than fm and I want a stationary mount.
The plan is to get it installed next week. So I will report back the results.
I once again appreciate everyone's time and effort.

As posted above, I have a 2 antenna solution and despite some pretty noisy weather, I have only seen 29 Fox and 18 chch get a little pixellated (very minor, horizontal band) every 5 minutes or so, for just a couple of seconds. Everything else is rock solid:D. When weather is without lightning, all is good.

Hi,
I live in danforth/broadview are, have tried at least four different antennas and nothing seems to work here, is anybody out there who knows how to solve this problem (if possible), I live on the 20th floor facing north, the last antenna I tried was the mini state 9100, at least this last one did get some signals but they're too weak !, thinking about getting a very directional antenna.

Thanks
Bacchus

bacchus:

If your location faces north, then it will be difficult for you to get many signals, no matter what antenna you use, since most of the broadcast towers are SOUTH of your direction, i.e.: CN Tower, First Canadian Place, Buffalo.

If you still want to try (and I suggest you do, because you never know) check out the Sticky posts in the following link for OTA Equipment vendors:

http://www.digitalhome.ca/forum/forumdisplay.php?f=164

Bacchus,

What other antennas have you tried? Also, what tuner are you using (if it is built into your TV, how old is the TV)? As Cyclism says, since you are facing north you will have troubles with weak signals and multipath interference.

A directional antenna might help, but you won't be able to aim it where you want, since the rest of the building is in the way. You might be able to aim it at another tall building near you and get a reflection, but this could be hit and miss.

The tuner you are using will make a big difference. The 5th and even better 6th generation decoder chips are much better at dealing with multipath interference. From what I have read, LG's 6th generation chip is the best one out there for this, but the only boxes that I know have it are the Zenith and Insignia SDTV boxes. LG's latest TVs may also have this chip but other than that I don't know.

I hope this helps.

I have a sharp aquos, just bought couple months ago..
I have also tried other two indoor antennas, the RCA amplified indoor and another similar just a different brand I can't remember :(
The funny thing is that the only antenna that can actually pick up one digital channel is a rabitt ears I have, but the signal comes an goes

It looks that I might just have to get a cable subscription to watch free channels, what a rip off !!! :(

Thanks

None of those antennas are all that great. I would recommend trying either a Silver Sensor (http://www.digitalhome.ca/forum/showthread.php?t=40741) clone or a Double Bow Tie antenna (such as the DB2).

Hi,
I have two Sharp Aquos TVs. The setup is CM4228 (pointing to Grand Island) to a distribution amp [+7dB per channel] to each TV. We measured the signal strength from the two tv's at the exact same time.

Questions:
I can understand why one TV would ALWAYS have stronger signals than the other due to more attenuation for a longer cable, but I'm confused as to why some channels would be stronger on TV1 and others stronger on TV2 (examples in RED).
Generally the reception has been ok, but not impressive. Strangely enough, we had CBC and PBS coming strong through the major storms two weeks ago, but now PBS seems to be a weaker channel.
Channel TV1 TV2
CBC 5.1 66 88
CTV 9.1 52 70
? 19.1 0 0
CKXT 66.1 39 46
Global 64.1 37 0
CFMT 47.1 0 0
CITY 57.1 44 53
CW 23.1 58 69
PBS 17.1 37 36
FOX 29.1 41 46
CBS 4.1 0 0
ABC 7.1 0 0
NBC 2.1 70 73Any ideas?

Thanks!

jb2008, are both TVs the same model? If so, were they bought at the same time (same manufacturing date code)? If the answer is no, maybe one has a newer decoder chipset making it better at dealing with various types of interference while the other one might be better with weaker signals.

If you are curious and it isn't too dificult, why not try swapping the two TVs and see how the results compare.

As far as Global is concerned, it is likely that one of the TVs is having troubles with the PSIP issues they are having (see Global's PSIP Situation (http://www.digitalhome.ca/forum/showthread.php?t=85061)).

Hello! I'm been reading up on the many informative posts here in this forum, as well as the very detailed knowledge base. But I still have lots of questions however. Please bear with me as I will explain my current disposition to you.

1. I just bought the Samsung LN40A550, which has a built-in ATSC tuner. So far the TV gets no reception.
2. I live in Toronto in an apartment near Yonge & Alexander - pretty much right downtown. Good: I live on the 17th floor and have a decent-sized balcony going outside. Bad: My apartment faces north. Literally there are no real buidlings in front of me for a leastg 2 blocks since I face a large area of very small houses and parking lots. The only one near is a tall condominium building to my right (east).
3. I've been reading up on all the antenna options, and I am considering getting the CM4221. But is it the right choice for me? Also, what else should I get with it? Any accessories such as ground wire, mounting pole, etc.? Lastly, where should I buy the CM4221?
4. I also saw the Digiwave 4-Bay Antenna - is this any good? Anyone dealt with this website before? I'ma bit uncomfortable that they do not list their address on the website - it's not common practice...

I would really appreciate some advice - as well assome dose of reality too if you think I will get little success out of it. I'm not much of a handiman so I will need all your advice. Thanks so much!

Hello Werckmeister and welcome here. I've moved your post into this thread regarding your area. Please take a look through previous posts in this thread to see how people have done in your area.

Also check out the links I'm providing here in this post so that you'll know which antennas to buy and which to avoid.
(http://www.digitalhome.ca/forum/member.php?u=54569)

I'm quite confident I can get at least 11 channels (plus 2 DTV channels!), as I did an old trick of sticking a long clipper into the TV's antenna. The TV is totally indoors, yet I was still able to pick up 13 very fuzzy channels (but with good sound!). The DTV channels look great but stutters. So I'm hoping that the CM 4221 can really help to really crystallize those channels and pick up new ones too. Even though I face north, it seems like there's some hope for me :)

Werckmeister, just spend $35 and pick up the Digiwave CM4221 clone at Canada Computers and you'll be golden!

If thats too much for you, just get a small antenna like a Zenith Silver Sensor clone, and you should pick up more.

In fact I can suggest you make up a CM4221 home made clone like I have and I can get like 9 DTV channels (bah!) so there is hope!!

dont buy a clone! Buy the original! $40.00 at sensuz.

I've purchased the clone and ended up tossing the thing away and getting the cm4221 as the performance on the clone sucked.

If you are curious and it isn't too dificult, why not try swapping the two TVs and see how the results compare.That is a good suggestion to swap TVs. The TV's are one model year apart. I added the CM7777 pre-amplifier and it really improved the results. I'll post those in my original post.

Here are the improved results with the preamplifier CM7777:

NBC 2.1 84
CBS 4.1 0
CBC 5.1 88
ABC 7.1 60
CTV 9.1 80
11.1 65
19.1 0
CBCF 25.1 80
41.1 61
OMNI 44.1 77
OMNI2 47.1 0
CITY 57.1 54
Global 64.1 61
CKXT 66.1 45
CW 23.1 69
PBS 17.1 66
FOX 29.1 47

With the preampflier, we are also occasionally getting some Rochester station.

dont buy a clone! Buy the original!I absolutely agree - why buy a clone when you can get the best for only a little bit more? For owners of clones don't get me wrong... I'm always glad when people get satisfactory reception even with antennas that I wouldn't necessarily buy, but I encourage people to buy what is known to work excellently. The CM4221 has earned every good review its gotten over the years. The Delhi 4BT-1483 is another 4-bay UHF Reflector that has earned its good reviews over the years. Digiwave and other clone antennas don't have a long track record of predictable performance, and it doesn't surprise me that ancodia threw his out and opted for a CM4221.

See the antenna chart:

I've purchased the clone and ended up tossing the thing away and getting the cm4221 as the performance on the clone sucked.Thanks for pointing this out! :( :)

I have one of those CM4221 clones, and figured it would perform the same as the CM. So people are really getting better reception with a CM4221 instead of the Digiwave clone? D'ohhh.

Anyone else sell the CM4221 in Toronto? I got the Digiwave because it was close to my work, and Sensuz is too far to go to, or $20 shipping.

thanks!