Your 4-bay clone antenna is backwards.The bow tie face the towards the transmitter not the bigger rear reflectors.I seen reversed 4 bays many times.

I want to install an OTA antenna on a 5-th floor balcony in a highrise in Toronto Finch & Dufferin area. The balcony is looking south-west, there are no buildings around obstructing the view. The antenna needs to supply signal to 2 HDTVs. I have a few questions:

- What kind and model of antenna will do best? What stations will I miss with only UHF type antenna?
- What set of components I need? Do I need a signal amplifier - what model?
- Should I mount it to a building wall or balcony steel fence? What mount components to choose?
- Can I mount it next to a Sat. antenna or they must be distanced?
- Do I need a different orientation for Toronto, Buffalo and others? Can it be done without a motor? What device will I need for initial orientation?
- What specialized stores in GTA would you suggest to visit? I've heard of Sensuz, but its online only.

Also, what simple device allows to switch a cable signal from one receiver (TV or modem) to another: not a splitter, but a manual low noise switch (looking like a small splitter)?

arnyc, would you be able to aim an outdoor antenna on your balcony around the southwest corner to the CN Tower line of sight?

Let's talk about the simple stuff first, and then you can find answers to your other questions in the many threads of the main OTA Forum. :)

Hi Pearce;

The 4228 is about $105 on it's own, A CM7777 pre amp is about $99, A 9521A Rotor is about $113, Tripod mount another $40, Grounding Rod $9 RG6 Cable, ends, splitter and wire clamp about another $30 - $50. The install includes running all the wires throughout the house to all the TV sources, attaching the cables to the baseboards and setting up and testing the system. The entire install took closer to about 6 hours with two guys doing it. If your handy at it than I would say go for it. Me, I'm terrified of heights and therefore getting on my roof was not an option.

Hope this helps, Richard.

arnyc, would you be able to aim an outdoor antenna on your balcony around the southwest corner to the CN Tower line of sight?

CN Tower is too far, I can't see it. But I can direct antenna towards south, if I know what components to buy to mount it first - that's the basics for me now. Really, a direct reply to each question would help more.

Here's your direct reply: read Post #2 in the OTA Knowledge Base & FAQ.

Hi there,
Currently enjoying HD in Toronto via bunny ears but I wanted to upgrade to a roof antenna. I've got line of sight to the CN tower but I was wondering if it's possible to have two outdoor antennas going through the same cable so I can point one at the tower and another at Buffalo. Any advice on this would be appreciated.

Hi and welcome here, kris28878 - what you are asking about is called "ganging" antennas and yes you can definitely do that. It is not always easy, so when you read through the FAQ check out Post #15 in particular as it answers your question.

Which major street corner are you nearest? You might be one of the lucky ones who can aim in one direction to get Toronto and Buffalo with a single antenna.

In a few months I'm about to move into a newly constructed low-rise (6 floors) condo in Toronto (map (http://maps.google.com/maps?f=q&hl=en&q=625+Queen+St+E,+Toronto,+Toronto+Division,+Ontario,+Canada&sll=37.0625,-95.677068&sspn=31.564064,56.601563&ie=UTF8&cd=1&geocode=FckrmgIdJixF-w&ll=43.6607,-79.352789&spn=0.014064,0.027637&t=h&z=15)). The terrain on the east side of the Don Valley places us higher than the west. It's near the waterfront with not a lot of surrounding buildings (i.e., I don't think interference would be an issue). Distance across the lake to Buffalo is about 95 km (59 mi).

I expect the condo board to have strict bylaws about installing an antenna on the roof. However, if it doesn't change the aesthetic of the building as viewed from the sidewalk in may not be a problem. I also happen to own a private rooftop garden on the south west corner (facing the lake/Buffalo and CN Tower) so an inconspicuous installation there may be an option (it includes electrical hookups if needed).

If I could get an antenna installed, what would be required to get the signal down to my suite (on the third floor)? Amps, splitters or repeaters? If the antenna were to be shared by everyone in the condo (up to 70 units) what kind of equipment would be needed (I'm thinking install the antenna and allow other owners deal with getting the signal from there to their unit)?

Does anyone here have experience trying to get an antenna installed in a condo? I want to avoid a cable subscription as OTA would provide me with all the programming I need (I'll supplement the programming with digital downloads as needed).

Sadly, I can not put an antenna on the balcony nor can I extend it out from the balcony
Have you looked at the first generation SBGH antenna design (it has it's own thread on this BBS) ?

It's a small (about 3' tall) vertical antenna, rather than the typical horizontal monster, and can be quite easy to just stand on a balcony back from the railing, or hung on the wall.

Doesn't look like an antenna to most eyes, and has UHF reception that rivals the best commercial antennas.

Cheers

I expect the condo board to have strict bylaws about installing an antenna on the roof. However, if it doesn't change the aesthetic of the building as viewed from the sidewalk in may not be a problem. I also happen to own a private rooftop garden on the south west corner (facing the lake/Buffalo and CN Tower) so an inconspicuous installation there may be an option (it includes electrical hookups if needed).
I hate to be the bearer of bad news, but having lived in condos since the early 80's, I haven't seen any where it's allowed. On top of that, many cities have bylaws regarding what may or may not be attached to balconies. Check your condo bye-laws and regulations, or ask your lawyer to do so (for a fee :(). The short answer is "fuggedaboutit". If you can't receive TV with an indoor antenna, you're out of luck.

If I could get an antenna installed, what would be required to get the signal down to my suite (on the third floor)? Amps, splitters or repeaters?
You're talking drilling holes in "common property"; again "fuggedaboutit".

If the antenna were to be shared by everyone in the condo (up to 70 units) what kind of equipment would be needed (I'm thinking install the antenna and allow other owners deal with getting the signal from there to their unit)?
You're talking a MATV (Master Antenna TV) system. In a power grab, the CRTC has managed to get it's jurisdiction extended to cover such systems. Basically, the condominium corporation would be treated as a minature cable company, subject to many of the same rules as Rogers, etc. The condo would not be allowed to distribute an OTA channel unless one of Rogers/Bell/Starchoice had CRTC permission to distribute it to your building. See http://www.crtc.gc.ca/archive/ENG/Notices/2002/pb2002-35.htm for the gory details.

You're talking drilling holes in "common property"; again "fuggedaboutit".

It's a long shot, but since he has electrical power up there, how about an HD Homerun (ethernet-connected ATSC Tuner) and a powerline ethernet adapter? It might not work, depending on how the building electrical system is set up, but it could be worth try. (As would wireless ethernet, if there aren't too many floors in between, or there's a clear shot to his balcony.)

Hello folks

I am new the all this OTA stuff

I live around Avenue rd and Lawrence. I have a Channel Master 4228 on my balcony about 15 high and I receive most of the HD channels ok

My problem is this. Its hit and miss with the Buffalo station. NBC is hit and miss, ABC and CBS are no good and PBS is very flaky.

I am thinking of a pre amp but I am worried about overpower the TV input for the Canadian channels which are not a problem

You're talking a MATV (Master Antenna TV) system.

For more information about MATV systems, check out the following threads:


Installing OTA For A Condo: MATV & Legal Info (http://www.digitalhome.ca/forum/showthread.php?t=57242)
MATV Options For Existing Distributed Satellite System? (http://www.digitalhome.ca/forum/showthread.php?t=67586)


The condo would not be allowed to distribute an OTA channel unless one of Rogers/Bell/Starchoice had CRTC permission to distribute it to your building.

I am not an expert, but I don't see anything in Broadcasting Public Notice CRTC 2002-35 (http://www.crtc.gc.ca/archive/ENG/Notices/2002/pb2002-35.htm) that says this. Further discussion of this should be in the thread Installing OTA For A Condo: MATV & Legal Info (http://www.digitalhome.ca/forum/showthread.php?t=57242).

ogi8745, before buying a pre-amp, I would make sure your antenna is aimed at Buffalo properly. One of the problems with the 4228 is that it is very directional and it is difficult to get reception from both the CN tower and Buffalo without re-aiming antenna.

Also, are there any obstacles in the way?

I am thinking of a pre amp but I am worried about overpower the TV input for the Canadian channels which are not a problemYou're a little more south than me, I had a 4228 once and I got less channels with it than with the 4221. I was totally shocked the 4228 was no better or weaker even aimed dead on and of course didn't pull in SunTV/CityTV AND the Buffalo channels at the same time without re-aiming. The antenna is @ 18ft above ground and I know I need more height.

I sold the 4228 and got a CM7778 preamp and it helped with my reception a lot compared to without preamp. I see NBC only from time to time but all the other channels are reliable enough for PVR. I don't get 11.1 or 49.1 either.

Hmm
the CM4228 seems to be a bit more "touchy" but it also seems to pull in more signals. I am now leaning to getting the antenna a bit higher

Hi,
About a year ago I first setup a CM 4221 on my 12th floor balcony and was getting 5-bar reception of CityTV 57-1 OTA. I considered myself lucky because I know this station is very weak and directional. Now starting about 5 months ago it comes in only about half the time and never better than 4 bars. I live at Yonge and Davisville and have a clear view of the CN tower from the roof of my building. I get very good reception from almost every other OTA station in the area (and Buffalo). I am wondering if there is anything I can do to boost my reception of this station. It is stunning in HD .:cool:
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Toshiba 56HM66 56“DLP HDTV
Yamaha HTR-5650 6.1-Channel Digital Receiver
Precision Acoustics(Cinema HD2+1) Speaker System (sound great-no really)
Samsung BDP 1400 Blu-Ray Player
Toshiba HD-A3 HD DVD Player
PS2 (Guitar Hero 2, God of War)
Channel Master 4221 antenna (all avail. OTA signals from T.O. and Buffalo

Welcome IronMan,

1) What kind of cable are you using and how long is it?
2) Have you tried pointing your antenna directly at the CN Tower?
3) Have you seen this thread?: http://www.digitalhome.ca/forum/showthread.php?t=41102

Thanks 99gecko,

1) 15 ft of RG6
2) My balcony is on the other side of the building. Any movement and I lose the signal altogether.