If you live within the golden horseshoe, a 4 bay UHF antenna will do the job to get all TOR digital. I have the CM 4221 and all my TOR/HAM digital channels all come in at least 6 bars or better, and always crystal clear. I'm running a second 4221 (un-amp, un-rotored) and also get several buf digital channels except 29 and 49. I will either try amping (preferred) an/or rotor or even getting a 4228 (8 bay), I hoping transmission strength increases for these two channels come Feb.

I always recommend a channel master 4221 HD now for scarborough , toronto, brampton, Mississauga and even most parts of south durham!

Why?

1) The 4228 is a great antenna but is very directional it will work well if you need the distance and one direction, the 4221 HD has less range but gets a wider coverage (sideways as well as long) as toronto is usually either east or west for most GTA locations and Buffalo is more south the 4221 HD always works better for me then the 4228 HD.

when looking at the map of towers if i am in a straight line for toronto towers and buffalo like some parts of richmond hill, Vaughn then i may consider a 4228 for the distance and as toronto is in the same flight path as buffalo and i dont need the sideways range. I find the 4 bay 4221 HD better because it also has good side coverage!

2) if i need to i can always then get another 4221 HD point one at buffallo and one at toronto!

This has been my general findings for most of the GTA

With all due respect guys, and I thank you for your insights, there is not a single antenna style or solution for the Golden Horseshoe. The odds and the law of averages are certainly in favour of a 4-bay like the CM4221 but that's all that can be said because of a wide variety of local reception issues.

there is never a one stop solution for OTA and absolutely people have different results thats for sure, in general though in my experience most people are doing better with the channel master 4221 HD then the 4228 because of its wider range as the 4228 is very directional! This is for most of the GTA. Also my testing has shown that the 4221 HD has a wider span then the old 4221 Antenna so far. Every case is different and every area is different even a few blocks away makes a difference you could live in lower lands. In General Brampton and Mississauga is on high ground! And 95% of my small amount of tests have shown that the 4 bay is less expensive and better due to the wider range! Also if it is not 2 x 4221 HD is a good solution. Cheaper to go 4 bay and see what happens! People sometimes think bigger is better i made that mistake too and learnt from it. Bigger is not always better in all cases! And also in testing clone antenna's like ******** (d-wave) and multistar 4 bays has shown that saving a few bucks on a clone is not worth it as they dont give the same results, ********(d-wave) antenna's and the like are not worth it when you compare paying an extra $10 - $20 and getting a real 4 bay antenna!

And absolutley odds are in favour but this has not always been the case!

Also my biggest piece of adivce to all the friends and family i have helped out is the higher the better, attic you lose so much . Hang it outside if you can and the higher the better!

This is my two cents!

Readers should always consult the thread for their area to see what issues other people have experienced near them. This treasure-trove of experience has accumulated here over the years and is invaluable.

Also be sure to read Post #2 in the OTA FAQ:

Unfortunately, the DBGH is not particularly useful in the GTA, where there is an abundance of DTV broadcast. Four, or almost 1/2 of the broadcasts from the CN Tower/FCP are above ch 52 including CITY, GLOBAL, SUN-TV and OMNI. All are low power, necessitating an antenna with gain/response favoring toward the Hi-UHF. Here, the 8 Bay wins hands down.

Unfortunately, the DBGH is not particularly useful in the GTAThat's true in some areas, not true in others. The GTA is too big an area to speak in generalities but I get what you're saying. Also keep in mind that the SBGH fills many of the roles for which the DBGH might be overkill.

For someone building their own antenna(s) its great to have the option of the GH or mclapp antennas, that's for sure! :)

there is never a one stop solution for OTA and absolutely people have different results thats for sure, in general though in my experience most people are doing better with the channel master 4221 HD then the 4228 because of its wider range as the 4228 is very directional! This is for most of the GTA. Also my testing has shown that the 4221 HD has a wider span then the old 4221 Antenna so far. Every case is different and every area is different even a few blocks away makes a difference you could live in lower lands. In General Brampton and Mississauga is on high ground! And 95% of my small amount of tests have shown that the 4 bay is less expensive and better due to the wider range! Also if it is not 2 x 4221 HD is a good solution. Cheaper to go 4 bay and see what happens! People sometimes think bigger is better i made that mistake too and learnt from it. Bigger is not always better in all cases! And also in testing clone antenna's like ******** (d-wave) and multistar 4 bays has shown that saving a few bucks on a clone is not worth it as they dont give the same results, ********(d-wave) antenna's and the like are not worth it when you compare paying an extra $10 - $20 and getting a real 4 bay antenna!

And absolutley odds are in favour but this has not always been the case!

Also my biggest piece of adivce to all the friends and family i have helped out is the higher the better, attic you lose so much . Hang it outside if you can and the higher the better!

This is my two cents!
i appreciate otaedges commends bout the less directional nature of the 4221, they make a lot of sense for the gta. i have been considering both for my setup, and i'm not sure which to get. i am around queen and woodbine so i am so close to the cntower i was hoping to be able to use the 4228. i figured due to the proximity of the cntower i could aim the 4228 due south to improve reception of buffalo stations. am i wrong in thinking this? would i need something like the 4221 which is less directional
to ensure i can get both toront and buffalo stations when the antenna would be aimed directly south?

thanks.
your comments about using the 4221 over the 4228. due to fact it less directional. i have been trying to decide which antenna is right for me. i live in the beaches around the queen and woodbine area. given the fact the cn tower so closer do you think i could still use the 4228. i would prefer it due to the more directional nature to get the us stations.

The CHCH tower is 2.5 miles from my house, when I aim to Buffalo, the CHCH tower channels (CHCH, CTS, SUN) are still full strength. Bear in mind I'm using a 4228HD and a 7777. I think being beside the CN tower you should be fine aiming for Bufffalo only- but every situaiton is different, trial and error. There must be some in the TO thread who are in a similar situation...

The CHCH tower is 2.5 miles from my house, when I aim to Buffalo, the CHCH tower channels (CHCH, CTS, SUN) are still full strength. Bear in mind I'm using a 4228HD and a 77777. I think being beside the CN tower you should be fine aiming for Bufffalo only- but every situaiton is different, trial and error. There must be some in the TO thread who are in a similar situation...
thats what i was thinking, with the cntower so close i can just aim south. i am hoping someone in my situation can comment on what works for them and it might me.

i was curious, what is the 77777 you mentioned in your post?

Sorry, slight typo. The 7777 is a pre-amp made by Channel Master. Supposedly, it is the strongest non-professional one you can buy. Check the Channel Master website and the Save and Replay site (forum sponsor).

i just figured it out when i read another thread and saw it metioned by someone. thanks.