OTA FAQ & Knowledge Base

[stampeder]

In the almost 5 years that the OTA Forum has been in operation we've seen reports of suddenly disappearing channels every autumn. Typically this has caused many members to install higher-capability OTA gear than what they had installed during the warmer months.

The biggest culprit in Southern Ontario along Lake Ontario seems to be WGRZ-DT in Buffalo, and for many other people ION or other stations go away for the winter. Similarly, some people in the GTA will find that they won't be able to get Rochester stations again until next year. In the Montreal and Ottawa areas some people will find that their U.S. stations are also suddenly too weak for a digital lock during the winter, while in Southwestern Ontario the Toledo and Cleveland stations' signals may die off.

Put very simply, the late spring through early autumn is when TV signals can travel terrific distances, but the late autumn through late spring is when they are at their normal, predictable levels. Thus, winter time is the absolute best opportunity to test your OTA gear, and conversely high summer is the worst.

Consult the Reception Results thread for your area to see how others have improved their reception to meet the winter reception challenges (preamps, better antennas, towers, etc.) and check posts from previous winters for ideas.

cheers