Don't get me wrong

What I try to say is why watching simsub/re-broadcast :mad: channel when you can watch
the Original! :)

For the Olympics I know the Canadian network are better than there American
counterparts but I don't watch the Olympics.

Hi,

I've been lookign around for some good options regarding inconspicuous outdoor aerials. coming from australia originally I've never really encountered a situation where there wasn't an external antenna available so this is mostly new to me.

Having consulted the indoor antenna thread (http://www.digitalhome.ca/forum/showpost.php?p=1034178&postcount=777) I'm just wondering if there is aany good options for an outdoor antenna in my area that I do not have to attach high Up to the building. I'm renting here so I can't do anything like that without strict approval from the landlord.

My major problems are that I have no line of sight of the CN tower. I'm on the first floor, my backyard faces north and has a few slightly taller building around.

so what's the most inconspicuous put powerful option for an external antenna?

Hey folks, I'm having a bit of problem with signal reception, and I'm wondering if any of you have noticed the same thing. I'm in the Dufferin/Steeles area with a CM 4228 attached to my chimney (thanks to Yaamon for the excellent install) and everything worked quite well for about 2 yrs now. I thought the problem was atmospherics and the weather, but today is perfectly clear and I'm still having problems with signal reception.

I used to reliably get these channels...

2.1, 2.2. 2.3
4.1
5.1
7.1
9.1
17.1, 17.2, 17.3
23.1
25.1
41.1
44.1
49.1
57.1
64.1
66.1

but now I'm having problems picking up the American channels...

2.1, 2.2, 2.3 very weak
4.1 gone
7.1 gone
17.1, 17.2, 17.3 gone
23.1 weak
49.1 weak

Let me know what you guys think, thanks.

How long have they been weaker, ler0y?

Oh, sorry, I forgot to mention that. I'd say its been happening for about the past couple of weeks now.

Perhaps the snowfall has caused havoc in terms of reflecting signals around. That can possibly create multipath, moreso in denser urban environments such as downtown.

And in general reception starts to get finnicky as the weather gets cold. It could just be the cold snap recently that is weakening the signals. You should also check to see if the antenna moved (i doubt so but it doesn't hurt). I recall there were quite a few windy days a few weeks back.

Hello guys,

I I live on the 15th floor, and have a north facing bulcony. I have open view 180 deg around but, there are a few other buildings in front of mine.

Is there any chance that I can pick up a few channels. I read some stuff about bounced waves off other buildings are capable of being pickd up.
I dont want to spend alot, maybe something simple.
Right now, I only have a regular coax cable connected to my tv, and get OMNI 2 CLEAR -- I got CTV and CBC for a few hours and now its gone.

Please give me good news :) --

Thanks

I've been playing around with OTA for the last couple months. My location is a bit tricky because the CN Tower is West of me, and the US stations are South-South-East of me. I've ended up with a 4228HD (US facing) and a 4221HD (CN Tower facing). Canadian stations come in great, but I'd really like to get 2.1 4.1 and 7.1 working. I've got the 4228HD on my roof on a 10ft pole. The 4221HD is on the same pole, but much lower. They connect via a splitter (joiner), then a cable into the house into the TV. If I put a pre-amp on the line, it'll obviously bump up both signals - so my question is whether that will work or not? I was under the impression that putting a pre-amp on a line with already strong signals (the Toronto ones) will be bad news. Is there a solution to bump up only certain stations?

Hi there, this is my first post, I've found this site to be very helpful in getting started so thank you. I have set up a channel master 4221hd in my attic in Etobicoke and am picking up the following channels


2.1
2.2
2.3
4.1
5.1
7.1
9.1
11.1
17.1
17.2
17.3
23.1
25.1
29.1
41.1
44.1
49.1
49.2
57.1
64.1
66.1

obviously I'm pretty happy with this, the only thing i'm having difficulty with is consistantly getting channel 4.1, I seem to get it late at night, but at no other time. Channel 7.1 seems pretty weak as well although consistent(20-30%). It seems that these broadcasting towers are pretty close to eachother, so i'm wondering if that is what is causing the no/weak signal for both channels. Is there anything i can do to help receive both these signals consistently without drastically affecting the reception of my other existing channels?

Also, do most of you use the exisiting rogers cables in your homes to share the signal throughout, or do the majority use new coaxial cable? For those using the existing cable set up , have you experienced any issues?

Cheers,

I have a 4 band channel master HD antenna, and I tried to scan with my TV but only picked up two stations.....CBC HD and CTV HD. I am facing the CN Tower and it seems my antenna is not powerfull enough to pick up more channels. Could anyone please tell me what I can do in this situation. Thanks in advance.

Do you mean a channel master '4 bay' antenna ?

Give us your location and go to tvfool.com and check to see what reception is available to your 'postal code' area. Copy the link to your tvfool results here.

Also, do most of you use the exisiting rogers cables in your homes to share the signal throughout, or do the majority use new coaxial cable? For those using the existing cable set up , have you experienced any issues?


Use RG6, not RG59. If you aren't using RG6, that alone might fix your problem.

I'm surprised you get 49.1 and 49.2 - I must be sitting in a node because I never get that anymore since they changed digital frequencies back in June.

I rarely get 49.1 as well, and I'm running a 4221HD stack. I'm hoping to get a 91XG that should help in getting it, and maybe ION too.

I get 49.1 about once a week using an amplified indoor antenna, Philips SDV2750/27. On the last occasion 49.1 came in I was having trouble with 17.1, a channel which is usually very solid. Not sure, but think it tends to come in when I'm having trouble with some other "good" channels.

I'm 1.2 km south of Port Union Rd. & 401 in Scarborough in a raised bungalow. I'm not sure of my elevation (is there a website which gives precise elevation for locations?), but it's gently downhill all the way from here to the lake, about 1.5 km away. I'm surprised and pleased by the reception I'm getting generally, and looking forward to trying an outdoor antenna, which I will likely put on a tripod on my deck, which faces south.

Homemade 8-Bay Bowtie (vertical) antenna mounted in attic pointing south/east from Bathurst/Dufferin just north of Steeles. Signal is split with distribution amp on a 75 foot line. Very pleased with the results, thanks everyone for the info on this forum.

Sony Bravia-built-in tuner (Digital channels are solid except for 11.1 )
2.1
2.2
2.3
4.1
5.1
7.1
9.1
11.1 (sometimes breaks up at night)
17.1, (17.2)
17.3
19 (analog)
23.1
25.1
29.1, (29.2)
41.1
44.1
57.1
49.1, (49.2)
57.1
64.1
66.1

Apex digital to analog converter box to CRT TV (Most channels are received as listed above)
7.1 breaks up in the afternoon.
11.1 rarely comes in.
49.1, (49.2) sometimes goes out.

Citydragon, channel 11.1 is CHCH out of Hamilton. They're approximately southwest of Toronto. You need either a rotator, or a second antenna to get both Hamilton and Toronto/Buffalo.

Agreed, I'd go the second antenna route for Hamilton, citydragon. A dedicated GH or M4 (http://www.digitalhome.ca/forum/showthread.php?t=119489) would be perfect since you roll your own.

Use RG6, not RG59. If you aren't using RG6, that alone might fix your problem.

I'm surprised you get 49.1 and 49.2 - I must be sitting in a node because I never get that anymore since they changed digital frequencies back in June.
Yup getting 49.1,49.2 at full signal strength all the time. The antenna is in an attic facing SE, its positioned on the 4th floor of the townhouse. I live at Grand Ave and Queensway. now getting 7.1 at almost 100% all the time, channel 4.1 at 30% in the evenings, drops during the day. I'll check on the cable set up, thanks for the response!

Hey guys, read about this HD antenna through a Toronto newspaper. Was directed to this site for help, Is there anyone else in this area?

Just trying to figure out what i will need to buy, antenna, mounting, wires, etc, is CM4221HD the best antenna to buy for me?

thank you.

Hey guys, read about this HD antenna through a Toronto newspaper. Was directed to this site for help, Is there anyone else in this area?

Just trying to figure out what i will need to buy, antenna, mounting, wires, etc, is CM4221HD the best antenna to buy for me?

thank you.
I used to live in that area some years ago, and still drop in to the same dentist in that area every few months to get my teeth cleaned/scaled. That area is getting very built up. Before spending any money, check the following...

Most condos/rental appartments don't allow outdoor antennas. Do you live in a single home?
To get reliable reception of the Toronto stations, your antenna MUST have a clear view of the top of the CN Tower. A tall building blocking your view of the CN Tower will effectively kill your Toronto OTA reception.
Buffalo is SSE from Toronto. "Southbound" Yonge Street is almost exactly the correct direction to Buffalo. Again, a tall building blocking your view in that direction will kill Buffalo reception.
Are any large buildings in "the wrong location" being planned? There was one put up next to my condo (I use an indoor antenna). Fortunately, it "only" took out Hamilton. But I would love to get CHCH now.

The CM4221HD has a very good reputation as an antenna. If you have to ask questions about mounting the antenna on your roof, I suggest getting a professional to do it right. Get recommendations from people who've had it done. Yes, it costs some money, but it's worth it.