Initially, I thought the move to DTV was a simple as changing from analog to digital. All I needed to do was to re-scan with my TV and everything would be fine.

Well, after loosing CHCH, I started to learn more about what is happening with this DTV transition:
Here is what I have so far:
(1) Channels 52-69 will be gone Aug 15/11 (from a DTV perspective)
(2) Most (all but one?) local channels will be moved (some in VHF!!)
(3) Some channels will reduce their transmitting power. (ex CHCH)
(4) Some channels will increase their transmitting power (ex CITY was 1.2KW, soon will be 21KW)
(5) With some of the "blow torch" analog stations gone, DTV reception may improve
(6) With the GTA channels moving around, we may get more channels from Buffalo.
(7) My DB-8 antenna does not do VHF and performs at a low level for any channel under 22. Should of picked up a 4228HD. Oh well!!
(8) My DB-8 is excellent in the 52-69 range where there a no stations...

This is really an exciting time for OTAers. It will be interesting to see what things look like on Sept 1.

(7) My DB-8 antenna does not do VHF and performs at a low level for any channel under 22. Should of picked up a 4228HD. Oh well!!
(8) My DB-8 is excellent in the 52-69 range where there a no stations...

I almost bought one of these recently, since it's the recommended antenna in the chart. With those design flaws for post transition reception, why is it the recommended antenna?

The chart may need to be updated once the dust settles from the transition...

BTW, I have been getting CHCH all day. (1 bar / 15 db snr) Maybe the DB-8 does a little VHF...

Currently I'm getting a fairly reliable reception from CBC and TVO, provided I have the antenna in the right spot. The US stations vary; some days they're strong and other days I can barely get them in at all. Channel 2, NBC, has been about the most reliable, although I really haven't been watching that much of the other stations.

Probably the best thing to do, and something I've been meaning to do, is to keep a record of the weather conditions for that day between the transmitter and your home. That way you can predict what sort of reception you're going to get. Although it wouldn't take into account all the conditions.

But there's little sense in bothering until after the 31st because it's going to depend a lot upon the transmitters. And I wonder if they'll find the need to make adjustments once the winter weather comes and people find they aren't able to get as good a reception. I suspect most of their calculations are based upon the best weather conditions.

This is going to be a long week.

I have been going over Jon C. LeBlanc's "Current DTV Stations In Canada" list at http://www.user.dccnet.com/jonleblanc/Canada_TV_Stations/DT.html and made a summary to help me understand what is going to happen in the GTA on Sept 1/11.

http://www.digitalhome.ca/forum/picture.php?albumid=837&pictureid=4397

Only 2 stations are dropping OTA average power: CFTO and CHCH.
Some stations are really increasing their power: City (1.2 to 21kw) CIII (3 to 100KW)


Here is a map of the channel changes:
http://img580.imageshack.us/img580/6306/2011dtvtransitionmapsma.jpg
Bigger graphic link: http://img831.imageshack.us/img831/9827/2011dtvtransitionmap.jpg

x4mer and all, in the thread that the Antenna Chart is in you'll see an explanation that the top of the line 8-bay antennas are fairly close to tied in performance but that members need to see which of them behaves best in their own area (their local Reception Results thread) since they have some different properties from each other. They are not design flaws, just differences that make each of them better or worse for certain local situations.

We won't get deeper into that topic in this thread. :)

CHCH has already transitioned.

Digital Frank, your chart is scaring me.
Do you mean that CHCH11.1 which is coming in for me in Niagara very well since Friday might drop out.

There's a significant power drop according to your chart.
Am I reading it wrong ?

@ckac730 CHCH has already made the switch mid August. I will update the chart.

If you get them now, you are good to go. I don't get CHCH any more but will see what I can do in Sept to get them back.

I will update...

CKXT actually applied for 16 kW on channel 40, not 107 kW, but on August 12 they were granted TO on channel 66 at 3 kW, so I'm not quite sure what to make of that. Maybe stampeder knows more than I do.

- Trip

It looks like SunTV is stopping OTA: http://www.theglobeandmail.com/globe-investor/sun-news-gives-up-over-the-air-licence/article2134376/

Digital_Frank, I would also add CKXT-DT-1 (Sun News - Hamilton) AND WBNF-CA (TCT - Buffalo) AND VX9AMK (Star Ray TV - Beeches) all on RF 15.

Also RF 13 is CKCO analog before and will be the digital channel after.

and CKVR is going from RF 3 to RF 10.

and CHEX will remain on RF 12 and CHEX-TV-2 will remain on RF 22...

It looks like SunTV is stopping OTA: http://www.theglobeandmail.com/globe-investor/sun-news-gives-up-over-the-air-licence/article2134376/
Yes but not till the end of October, so it still fits on your list, unless you want to make an as of Nov 01 part of the list...

And Sun News death is a different thread here on the site ;-)

SunTV's OTA License issues are discussed here:

http://www.digitalhome.ca/forum/showthread.php?t=143024

CKXT actually applied for 16 kW on channel 40, not 107 kW, but on August 12 they were granted TO on channel 66 at 3 kW, so I'm not quite sure what to make of that. Maybe stampeder knows more than I do.

- Trip
Sounds like temporary (for two months only) low-power operation out of band, so that SunTV won't have to spend money (or even talk to Bell Media, with whom they have a dispute) about access to the channel 40 equipment.

Who owns the different antennas on the tower? Does each broadcaster own their own antenna hardware, and lease the space from Canada Lands, )or whoever the CN Tower landlord is now)?