I've never received RF8 (23.1) or RF47 (47.1) since they switched to digital even though 66 (now 47) used to be my strongest of the LP stations. On the other hand RF18 (18.1) is so strong now that it's better than some of the Canadian stations. RF33 just disappeared one day, never to be heard from again and 48 is very directional and blocked by my house anyway.

33 (W33BY) had to move their tower to a much lower elevation and reduce power. I used to get a decent signal, now it barely comes in under normal conditions (but has been a bit better of late).

18 (WDWO) moved to Southfield on a very tall tower, so their 14kW gets out very well.


I can only get RF 8 WUDT when my antenna is pointed in a northerly direction, but it comes in well at that point.

I have never had a peep on RF8.

Anyone else having issues with CBET? I have been getting a solid signal from them (7/10 bars) since they went Digital. Now, I am barely getting a signal...pixellating constantly. Looks like they have decreased power.

It's back up to normal signal strength as of 5:30pm. Must have been working on something down there earlier....

Anyone else having issues with CBET? I have been getting a solid signal from them (7/10 bars) since they went Digital. Now, I am barely getting a signal...pixellating constantly. Looks like they have decreased power.

It's back up to normal signal strength as of 5:30pm. Must have been working on something down there earlier....
Full Signal here on my Samsung plasma.

Now they've lost the HD feed....

WMYD 20.1 has just added Cool TV on their 20.2 whish is all music video's 24 hr a day.

After a very frustrating couple of weeks, I have reoriented my 4228HD toward Toledo in the hopes of ending my Detroit reception problems.

My antenna was pointed at Ann Arbor so I could get WPXD (RF31), and I was able to do so very reliably, but at the cost of inexplicable unstable reception on the high UHF Detroit channels (i.e., RF41-45) and absolutely no reception of CBET (RF9; which I solved by adding a make-shift second antenna).

Today I removed the second antenna and combiner (to improve overall signal) and pointed my 4228HD toward Toledo and gained stable reception on RF11, 13, 29 and 49, as well as RF9 CBET, at the cost of WPXD.

The problem is, however, that some of the Detroit channels (WKBD, WDIV, WTVS, WWJ and WXYZ, but NOT WJBK, WMYD or WADL, or even CHWI for that matter) are completely unwatchable, despite coming in quite strongly from the back of the 4228HD. The drop outs are constant, where they will go from nearly 100% signal strength and quality, to zero and back up again every couple of minutes.

Are these symptoms of overload? I do have a CM7777 (that's the only way to get WPXD or the Toledo channels), but I've tried attenuating with a 4-way splitter and it makes no difference.

@Kane

in the age of digital we now cannot determine ghosting like when we had analog. I suspect reflections, connections, and a whole lotta love....wait that's a Led Zepplin song:)

antenna tv will start on WADL on October 1st.

antenna tv will start on WADL on October 1st.
Good news since Retro TV got replaced, but Antenna TV has a pretty weak lineup of shows.

Ive noticed that WDWO 18.2 & 18.3 TCT have on at night some rare old classic tv.Ive seen Bonanza,Beverly Hillbillies,Roy Rogers,& Here's Lucy w/Lucille Ball.

Im also looking forward to AntennaTV to debut on Oct1. on WADL 38.2.Now we just need ME TV which is a classic tv channel too.Im hoping its coming to WDIV 4.3 which alot of stations that carry THIS also are carrying ME TV around the states.

If your into hard rock Cool TV 20.2 has an hr long show called The Big Heavy tues & thurs. nights at 10pm.

Agreed, but at the same time I am unhappy with the loss of Universal Sports. I wish NBC would push the issue on WDIV's owners.

Universal Sports is switching to satellite/cable delivery only.

As mentioned earlier, anyone know why CBC Windsor is not broadcasting in HD, it was for the first few days and now nothing.

Ok, so my mom went to Radio Shack and got an Antennacraft pre amp (the amp was up to 29db VHF and 29db UHF gain). Her antenna is Antennacraft model HBU55. (up 100 miles VHF / 60 miles UHF).

So my brother in law installed the amp, which made things worse. Pixelating bad and lost a lot of her other channels. She manages to get CBC rarely. Usually when it rains or in the morning.

1. Do you think the amp overloaded the system? I know there's a name for it but can't think of it right now. Or maybe it was hooked up right.

2) Sounds like a rotor is very important. What do you guys think?

Thanks so much for any help/direction. It is greatly appreciated.

@ Kristin - Yep, that amp is way overpowered, for one thing. Also, Radio Shack pre-amps have excessive "noise". Put both of those together, and it will make your reception WORSE. My advice...take back the pre-amp and get a Winegard AP 8700 or AP 8780 pre-amp. Give that a try....let us know if it helped!

I have a Channel Master amp and it works well.


A rotor is a must, especially when the stations are in different directions. From you, Detroit is in a southwesterly direction, CBET is south to southeast, and CHCH is easterly.

From my area I have stations in five different directions, so without a rotor I'd certainly lose some!

Thank you again! I will take that amp back! Geez. You'd think this would be simple (haha)..I'll let you know what happens...

Thank you again! I will take that amp back! Geez. You'd think this would be simple (haha)..I'll let you know what happens...
Something doesn't sound right here. You have an HBU-55 (Monster antenna) that picks up awesome VHF / UHF reception - and it won't pick up channel 9?

First off, that thing should pick up any local channel if you're in Windsor, without the use of a pre-amp. If you are going to use a pre-amp, (which I do recommend but isn't necessarily needed) use something that is of moderate gain. In the Channelmaster lineup the 7778 is more suited for Windsor in my opinion than the 7777. I tried a high gain amp once and it did just that, it overloaded the channels. In Windsor we have both local and fringe channels, so a high gain amp will do more harm than help to your locals where the signal is already very strong.

Now aside from the amp, have you taken a look at other possible signal losses? What type of cabling are you using? Is it one solid line of RG6 cabling straight from the tuner to the antenna? Do you have any in-line couplers or splitters along the way? Also look at your connectors.... I try to only use compression fit connections, they are simply the best and can't even be pulled off if you try.
With that antenna, if you have a good new cable with proper connectors, you should be picking up all locals withouth issue - especially channel 9 due to the excellent VHF reception on that thing. I am using the HBU 33, 2 sizes smaller in that line, and channel 9 comes in 100%. I do use a moderate-gain amp, but even without the amp reception is great. Your HBU 55 has about 2 decibels more gain on VHF.

Where are you located? Is the antenna roof mounted? Any obstructions? LIke I said something is wrong here.

From the Channelmaster store:

CM7777:

The Channel Master television antenna booster (preamplifier) will amplify digital and HD signals received by your antenna. This antenna amplifier is a high gain, low noise preamplifier used for weak signal areas to allow a weak signal that is present at the antenna to be amplified to a viewable strength. This TV antenna preamplifier works best for persons in weak signal areas and is subject to overdrive if used in areas with fairly strong signals. In stronger signal areas our medium gain preamplifier, the CM 7778 is a better choice.

CM7778:


The Channel Master television antenna booster (preamplifier) will amplify digital and HD signals received by your antenna. This antenna amplifier is a high gain, low noise preamplifier used for weak signal areas to allow a weak signal that is present at the antenna to be amplified to a viewable strength. The CM 7778 preamp offers less gain than the CM 7777 but still has enough gain to get the signal from the antenna to the TV set. This preamp is a perfect choice if you are in a strong to medium strength signal area but are still having troubles receive the strongest signals. Preamplifier are also used if you anticipate distributing your signal with a digital splitter to multiple locations throughout your location as splitters reduce the signal strength per output.

My Antennacraft 10G201 is another option, works great, moderate gain..... like I said I tried the higher gain model and it was no good. (Probably the same one you got at Radio Shack)

But either way, you should be picking up the signals without an AMP. Take a look at your cabling setup first. Get the channels, then add the amp. At least that's what I would do.