If I get all the channels in green, I'd be fine with that, that's pretty much what I get right now from indoor antennas - major networks + CBC is all I want really. Can't say I'm overly interested in getting the same major networks from Toledo or somewhere...

The coax run from the attic to where the rest of the coax cables terminate (next to the electrical panel in the basement) is quite long and I doubt there is power up there to run a pre-amp right after the antenna - would the signal loss be too great to amplify it once it has gone through say 30ft of coax?

I would say an attic set-up would be sufficient for your location. You should be able to pick-up all the Detroit major networks.

My current set-up is an Antennacraft U4000, CM9510 rotator, 30 ft Coax, Antennacraft 10G201-pre-amp, (4 output) DC pass splitter, 100 ft. Coax. to 4 tvs. With this set-up I am able to receive all the Detroit major Networks as well as CBC, CTV (snowy anologue), CTV2, Global, TVO. I also can receive signals from Toledo (most of the time), if I use the rotator.

The key for attic installations is to mount the antenna as high up in the attic as you can - (Two story houses are better than bungalows) - and make sure it can also rotate freely. Also make sure it is not close to any metal.

The pre-amp hook up should be as close to the antenna as possible so that
the strongest (and cleanest) signal from the antenna can be amplified. Since you are fairly close to most of the tv transmitters I would recommend a Pre-amp designed for mixed signals, both strong and weak signals as a high power pre-amp could cause signal overload.

Also buying a good splitter is also important as well as good quality coax cable.

It is true that an outdoor antenna will outperform my current set-up, but for
me and my family 30 channel OTA is sufficient. Congratulations on your new house and good luck with your OTA set-up.

I agree with the others. Start with the attic install and see if it can get you all of the Detroit and Windsor (McGregor) stations. If it does, just leave it as, especially since you don't seem interested in the Sarnia, Chattham, Leamington, Cleveland or Toledo station's. The only problem I see is because Detroit signals are to the NW and McGregor is to the SW, you will need an antenna with a wider beam when you point due west.

If all you want is Detroit/Windsor, you should get away with the attic install. If you go outdoors, you'd have a shot at CHCH out of Alvinston.

Also with an outdoor he would have a shot at CIII-22 (Global TV) out of Leamington.

Thanks guys - need to check up in the attic and see what it's like in there, not been up there yet. It's a tall house though with the attic above a bonus room, so it should have some good height. Not far from the lake, so should have a reasonably clear view of Detroit....

Any thoughts on this? Noticed it posted in the forum.

http://www.factorydirect.ca/catalog/product_spec.php?pcode=KR0014

Sufficient for my needs or need something a bit better?

Not to familiar with this make, since no specs are given, I would be wary of this brand. If you plan on installing it outdoors in the spring it may not be durable enough, maybe some of the other members have used this particular brand and can provide some input. You may be further ahead to invest 20-50 dollars more on well known antenna manufacturers. (e.g. Channel Master, Winegard, Antennas Direct ...

I second that. Your better off getting a brand that is known than a knock off that could have problems. Channel Master for a long time was the recommendation a lot of us would go with but in the last year or two it looks as if Winegard and Antennas Direct have really taken over...

The other thing is, as HWP can attest, spend a little extra now and go big. Unless your getting a sweet return policy, you don't want to find out that you chinced a bit on cash but now aren't getting the channels you wanted or have poor reception...

There's a chart of recommended antennas based on the collective experience of this site here (http://www.digitalhome.ca/forum/showthread.php?t=97121). As the moderator has said many times, you won't go wrong with a recommended model, but you only might go right with something else. Per the chart, an AntennaCraft HBU-33 or Winegard HD-7694P would be good choices.

I can attest for the AntennaCraft HBU series... nice antennas designed for the new 7-51 channel range.

But I can tell you that if your long-term goal is to pickup channels as far as Toledo, you're going to have to go outdoors. I'm in East Windsor off Banwell (a bit over 50 miles from Toledo transmitters) and when I moved my setup from the attic to the rooftop, thats when I got reliable Toledo signals. 11 / 13 aren't hard to get, but 24, 30 and 36 are much weaker. Considering you're in Lakshore, add probably 5-10 miles from me so you're further from Toledo.. therefore only harder than what it was for me I would think? I also have zero obstructions as its all new sub-divison and the antenna is at about 25 feet on the rooftop. Attic is great to start with but just giving you a bit of history of what I went through as I wanted Toledo channels as well.

Also keep in mind the presence of all the VHF signals around. (Fox Detroit, 11/13 Toledo, CBC Windsor) Some of the bowtie designs do not pickup the greatest VHF reception, so if you don't mind the look of a combo, its your best bet in my opinion.

Agreed in that he will need a combo for sure because of WJBK and CBET being on VHF (unless he were to get a CM4228). However, as the OP said, he only cares for the core 4 out of Detroit (WJBK, WWJ, WDIV, WXYZ) along with CBET and WTVS. Anything else that he gets is bonus.

Ok, thanks for the advice - looks like I'm best to steer clear of the no name brands....

How much would I be looking at for a professional to install a roof antenna?

Depends on a lot of factors. What you are installing, did you buy the gear from the installer, is the installer bonded/insured, what time of the year it is (some people charge more in the winter months), do they need to hide cables/drill/bury them? These all weigh into the price factor. You can get estimates/firm prices for installs at places like Lighthouse, Turners and Electrozoid all in Windsor. Or start at post 912 and see the recent experience of a DHCer up in Sarnia for how much it cost him. We had a bit of a debate a month or two ago about what a reasonable price was. There are also 'professionals' on Kijiji Windsor who are looking for work to do the install and some source their own equipment.

PERSONALLY, if it is not a DIY project, then I would get all the gear from the same supplier and have them do the install. Typically in that case, they are more flexible in upgrading your gear in case the results in your area aren't desirable. Example for me being, when I first got my CM4228, DHC'er Yaamon (who has now disappeared as best I can tell) who did my install brought along a CM7775. First he did the setup without it, and then we tested the setup with it. At the time in the GTA, everything was UHF so this was fine, but in hindsight, I should had gone with the CM7777 (Toronto has some VHF stations now, and I have moved my OTA setup to Windsor anyways where the 7775 is useless) but that is a story for another day.

Hey guys,

Just moved into our house and figured I'd give one of my indoor antennas a try.... Actually working well, pulling in all major networks! 4-1 WDIV NBC is a bit sketchy but then it was in Windsor too.....

So it looks like an attic antenna should work great for my purposes!

Since I am new to the forum I thought this might be a good time to post my reception results. My current set-up consists of a Antennacraft U4000 antenna along with a CM 9510 Rotor, 20 ft of coax, Antennacraft 10G201 Pre-Amp, 100ft or more coax to TV's. The antenna is mounted in the attic approx. 30ft. AGL. My location is in Amherstburg, ON., within 1 Km of the intersection of Essex Rd. 8 and Malden Rd. These observations were made yesterday (except for the channels at 50% or less.). I have only included the main virtual channels without the subchannels.

These Channels I receive 100% of the time (except when transmitter has problems). Rotor set at optimum setting.


Channel Call Letters/Network Typical SNR

2.1 WJBK(Fox Detroit) 28
4.1 WDIV(NBC Detroit) 28
7.1 WXYZ(ABC Detroit) 26
9.1 CBET(CBC Windsor) 30
11.1 WTOL(CBS Toledo, OH.) 22
13.1 WTVG(ABC Toledo, OH) 25
16.1 CHWI(CTV2 Wheatley ON.) 25
18.1 WDWO(Rel. Detroit) 28
20.1 WMYD(My TV, Detroit) 30
22.1 CIII(Global, Windsor) 23
23.1 WUDT(Daystar, Detroit) 24
24.1 WNWO(NBC Toledo, OH) 24
26.1 CHWI(CTV2 Windsor) 26
30.1 WGTE(PBS Toledo, OH) 29
31.1 WPXD(ION Ann Arbor, MI) 25
32.1 CICO(TVO Windsor) 30
35(analogue) CBLFT(SRC CBC French, Windsor) N/A
36.1 WUPW(FOX Toledo, OH.) 22
38.1 WADL(Ind. Mt. Clemons, MI.) 24
42(analogue) CKCO3(Oil Springs, ON) N/A
47.1 W47DL(TBN Detroit) 18
50.1 WKBD(CW 50, Detroit) 27
56.1 WTVS(PBS Detroit) 28
62.1 WWJ(CBS Detroit) 29

These channels I receive less than 50% of the time, from best to worst.

33.1 CICO(TVO Chatham, ON)
34(analogue) CFTV34(Leamington, ON)
5.1 WEWS(ABC Cleveland, OH.)
27.1 WBGU(PBS Bowling Green, OH.)
3.1 WKYZ(NBC Cleveland OH.)
28.1 WCMZ(PBS Flint MI.)
51.1 CHCHDT2 (Alviston,ON)


These channels I receive rarely, only during tropo conditions.

52.1 WGGN(Ind. Rel.,Sandusky OH.)
38(analogue) HSN(Cleveland, OH.)
61.1 WQHS(Univision, Spanish, Cleveland OH.)
19.1 WOIO(CBS Cleveland, OH)
69.1 CFMT(OMNI1, London ON.)
68(analogue) Religious station don't know location

Still searching for more.
Happy OTAing in 2012 :p

The analog 38 and 68 are in Toledo.


Overall, very nice reception results!

Thank you for the error correction, thought 38 analogue was from cleveland. Hope I can pull in a few more channels next summer.:D

Anyone having any issues with WWJ today? My signal is uncharacteristically jumping all over the place, and I have checked the connections on my end and all looks good... grr...

Watched NFL game yesterday was A-OK, wife currently watching her soaps this afternoon, no drop-outs with 27 SNR. Location in Amherstburg, (River Canard), ON.

Yea, it simmered down and I got a steady signal as the night went on. Not sure what led to it being so jumpy.

On a side, I was finally able to pull in WLPC on RF 40 today, PSIP was 40.1, with 40.2 blank, repeat feed on 40.3 and 40.4 being blank as well.