Yes, it is a combo. No, it doesn't show signal strength when it is scanning for signals. I have already read the manual (not very big) and didn't find anything there where I could check the signal strength. From reading some of the other posts in other sections here, and from surfing the net, I'm beginning to think that there are no "significant" OTA digital or HD signals from any of the Canadian networks.

Just to correct that last statement about Laval...

Until February, I had an dwelling just west of the 15 north between Salaberry and Gouin wich is on the island with a leg in Laval.

I was on the second floor and had a window facing the right direction. When RC started emitting on 19, I bought a Silver Sensor and could receive them with 75-80% strength.

Anyway, I moved in February to St-Hubert (south of Tashereau and west of the 116). Using the same antenna, I get the same channels (19, 20 & 42) but with 5-10% less signal.

I'll install the DB4 I just bought on the chimney this spring. :)

Hi Everyone,

I'm trying to figure out this OTA stuff. OK....I live in Dunham, Quebec...about 20 minutes drive to the Enosburg, Vt border. I'm about 57 miles away from Mt. Mansfield. I've had a roof top antenna UHF/VHF for over 2 decades. At the moment, I get the following channels via analog signal.

WPTZ Channel 5
WCAX Channel 3
WCFE Channel 57
WFFF Channel 44
Global Channel 46
CTV Channel 12
TQS Channel 35
TVA Channel 10, 7
SRC Channel 2, 9
CBC Channel 6
E Channel 62
Tele Quebec Channel 17

ABC has never really come in at all

I purchased a Hisense digital converter from EBAY and set it up. When I did a scan I was able to get
WCFE (3 channels)
WETK (4 channels)
CBC
SRC
TQS

However, I can't get WPTZ, WCAX, or WFFF. Why??????

I had a technician come over last week to check my antenna. He told me it was still in good condition, the wiring was fine, but I still can't capture my US stations via digital. I understand that these 3 are transmitting from Mt. Mansfield now. However, if I can get WCAX analog ...why not digital? I'm so confused and can't find anyone in the area that understands this digital switch. Can anyone give me suggestions? I really want to be ready for Feb 2009 and satellite is not an option. On the commercials they make it sound like this is going to be a trouble free switch...but this is not what I'm experiencing.

I think Dunham is in a Mt Mansfield reception 'hole', shaded by some mountains between you and Mt Mansfield.

You actually hae line of sight to Lyon Mountain, which is why WCFE analog and digital come in so well.

You can get WCAX 3 analog because VHF, and particularly low-band VHF (2-6) refract well around the crests of hills and into valleys, which UHF can barely do.

The signal locator function at www.TVFool.com only reports WCAX analog as receivable in Dunham. I'm surprised that you even get WETK digital (ch 32), if you don't get their analog on ch 33. You don't get WCAX-DT, because it broadcasts on digital channel 53. Next February, it will be switching to channel 22 once WVNY analog vacates that frequency, but that doesn't seem like it will be much help for you.

WFFF analog is on Terry Mountain near Peru NY, along with WPTZ analog, but as you know they're both transmitting digital from Mt Manafield.

TVl

Thanks for the answers TVLurker. Wow....do you think that by adding height to my antenna tower I will have any luck catching the signals? At the moment I believe my tower is 40 to 50 ft. Is it possible that the digital signals are being sent out at lower power and that when the actual switch occurs the signal will be stronger and easier to receive? Do you know of any agreement with WPTZ that they can't aim their signal towards Sherbrooke because they would overpower their local stations? I can't accept the fact that I won't see WPTZ or WFFF anymore.....what's a gal to do?????

I was reading a post in here about this antenna called the XG91 Yagi. I'm wondering if this would work in Dunham. Would it clear the hills to Mt. Mansfield? This is the link I found http://www.hdtvprimer.com/ANTENNAS/XG91.html

gadzooks40, there are better UHF yagi models than that, such as the Winegard PR9032 or Delhi CYD1470, but when it comes down to it there are no antennas of any kind that can see "around" hills and obstructions that kill the signal, as tvlurker has pointed out.

With bowtie reflector antennas we have the hope that they'll pick up scattered signals, but again if there is an obstruction we just have to test it out and see if there is signal.

Please click on these links in my signature to learn about antenna models:

I live in Beloeil and have a 40 ft tower and i have a regular VHF/UHF combo. I get Trois-rivieres ch 13 RC.

So I guess It would be impossible to get ABC 22 Digital 13 even with a 10Y13s pointed directly at it??

Also I want to purchase 2 Wingard HD-9032 one at Mt-Mansfield and Lyon Mt.
I think the weight of the 9032 is lighter a 4228?

I don't want to put too much weight or wind resistance on my tower.


Thanks,

intravino

I'm pretty sure you will get ABC on 13 by pointing your VHF antenna directly at it because typical VHF antennas are very directional, especially a 10Y13. :)

As for weight, a Winegard 9032 is lighter, but it and the CM4228 aren't heavy in the first place like a big VHF, so there isn't much difference from each other.

Thanks Stampeder for all of your help.

I was thinking of using a small Radio-Shack 15-2160 to try to pick up PBS 57 Plattsburgh from Beloeil, I am in the Medium green in the Tvfool (70 Miles) , Do you think that is possible with a good signal?

Thanks,

If you use the Search This Thread tool in the blue bar to the upper right and enter "Boucherville" you can see how a guy did there with a CM4228. Also you can see results from "Brossard" too.

I wish I could give more advice on Beloeil but I think some of the other Quebec posters will have to advise you on that.

I took the plunge!!!

I purchased a CM 4228 from Raybel and with 75 ' of rg-6 and with no Pre-amp I get on Analog:

44 WFFF
22 ABC
33 PBS
57 PBS
46 Global a bit
7 TVA Sherbrooke

Now I just need a new TV and a Delhi for get ABC 22 on VHF 13.


Thanks Guys for the help,

Intravino

I purchased a CM 4228 from Raybel and with 75 ' of rg-6 and with no Pre-amp

Now I just need a new TV and a Delhi for get ABC 22 on VHF 13.


get the tv before spending on the Delhi; good chance the CM4228 will pick ABC.

After never receiving any signal from Fox, I can now finally get it! It feels good to get a new channel (and one with superb HD news). During prime time, it's quite steady. Sometimes I need to choose between either CBC/SRC or FOX, which may be because Mt. Mansfield and Maison Radio-Canada are 180 degrees apart at my location :(.

The only channel I'm missing now is ABC, which I'm not going to spend much time on, since even some people with complicated outdoor setups are having difficulty with it. It would be too much to ask of my scrappy Radioshack 1501880 located in the basement!

Hopefully they up their broadcast power significantly leading up to the analog cut-off date. Still, I am truly amazed at how well an indoor antenna can pick up digital signals, from almost 150km away!

Hi,

I just purchased tonight my Samsung HDTV and I am disappointed with the channels I get in Beloeil.

With the Analog set I get with a 4228 without preamp and 75 feet coax rg6, I get:

44 WFFF
22 ABC
33 PBS
57 PBS

Now with the HDTV:

WPTZ DT
WCFE DT
WETK DT
CBC DT
Radio Canada DT

I was sure that I was able to get :

WFFF DT
WCAX DT

But no luck.

I knew that WVMT DT 13 was hard to get but not Fox and CBS.

http://img517.imageshack.us/img517/2158/radardigitalwg9.png

What should I do?
Where should I start from?

Thanks for your time,

Intravino

I live in Beloeil and have a 40 ft tower and i have a regular VHF/UHF combo. I get Trois-rivieres ch 13 RC.

So I guess It would be impossible to get ABC 22 Digital 13 even with a 10Y13s pointed directly at it??
intravino

Back in the early 80s when I had a Radio Shack rooftop antenna when I lived in Longueuil, sometimes I could get both channel 8s from CJOH in Cornwall and WMTW from their Mt Washington transmitter in New Hampshire depending on which way I pointed the antenna.

Put a pre-amp , it will help a lot.

for CBS DT 53 , and FOX 43, the signals have been weaker for me ( MTL near Outremont ) the last two weeks....

CBS DT 53 ( WCAX ) will move to channel 22 feb. 17, 2009, so we will catch it better for sure.

WVNY DT 13: you must have interferences from channel 13 in Trois-Rivières..

good luck

Should I try the GE amp at $ 10 at Addison first?

Maybe also the antenna is too much pointing at WCFE tower?

The signal meter on the TV gives me a reading a 10/10 on WCFE and 2/10 on WPTZ.

WPTZ is at Mt Manfield I think?

I guess also I need a 10Y13S.

What vhf-uhf combiner do you recommend if I use the GE amp instead of the Channel master amp/combiner ?

Thanks,

Intravino

The GE pre-amp will do fine, and it's cheaper : around 10$

FOX and CBS are coming from the Mt-Mansfield tower, so, yes, you have to aim your antenna more in that direction than in the direction of WCFE.
For me, in MTL, if I aim my antenna to WCFE, i lose CBS and FOX, and NBC too.

For WVNY DT 13, you will need the other antenna you mention...

:cool:

for the combiner, i'm not sure, i don't use one , i only have a CM4228.

Of course, the channel master pre-amp/combiner is the best solution, but it cost much....