Best GH For Cambridge & Kitchener, ON?

[Marbles_00]

You may want to check out Wintronic Computers in Guelph to see if they have the CM7777 in stock. It is about $10 cheaper than at Sayal. Don't know the price at Beam-on.

[epicDistortion]

Thanks for the advice. I think I saw them at Neutron electronics in Guelph last summer when I was there. I might go for a trip tomorrow after work and see what I can find. I couldn't find them listed on beamons site but it's closer to me.

GT40 - I think there must have been magic in the air last night. I can't get them again today. Also I hooked up to my pcHDTV 5500 card and got a couple of others last night including NBC, PBS and CBS from Buffalo, but they were dropping out.

[stnky1]

I am in Kitchener in the Stanley Park area. Just got my freshly-built 1/4" solid copper rod GH10 on the roof with CM-7777 last weekend and was able to get fairly good results. As you all know getting anything in Kitchener is hit and miss but on the first night counted 26 digital stations (including substations). Can't remember them all but when I get a list together I will post it in the KW reception thread. I will try to upload a picture too if I can figure out how.

I am aiming straight east now but I found I had better luck for both TO and Buffalo stations when cheating a little more towards Buffalo (maybe I am getting TO in on a side lobe). Still contemplating getting a rotator but will keep adjusting my aim for now and see if I can hit a sweet spot. During the day results are worse than in the evening, it seems once the sun goes down the reception improves dramatically.

[300ohm]

I will try to upload a picture too if I can figure out how.

http://www.digitalhome.ca/forum/showthread.php?t=92167

or
you can use other free image upload sites like Imageshack, which automatically resize the image for you.

[stnky1]

OK here it is:

[epicDistortion]

Looks like a nice build Stnky1!

Is it directed away from those trees?

My wife is going to Houston on business next weekend. I plan to put mine up while she's away Hopefully I'll have some results to report for you all.

[stnky1]

Hi epic:

Yes the trees you see in the pic are in the back yard. Antenna is pointing out the front of the house across the street. Luckily where I am there is a park across from us so no houses (but more trees ). Since I took this picture I have raised the antenna another 5 feet off the tripod with some 1.5 inch galvanized conduit I bought at Home Depot. I don't feel safe going any higher since it is just attached to the roof right now. (I wish my old house still had the antenna mast, some of them in our neighbourhood are still standing.)

[bece13]

I'm new here and first just wanted to say that is a great place where everybody tries to help.

I'm about to build an antenna that will be placed on the chimney. I tried the m4 and the SBGH antennas - crappy builds made out of 14 gauge electrical cable just to see if I can get anything. Pleasantly surprised that I got 2 HD channels, I decided to buy the CM7777. With the pre-amp I got 5-6 HD channels. So I decided to build a more professional antenna, but I have problems deciding which one. Here is my TVFool link:
http://www.tvfool.com/?option=com_wr...ef34625cdf8833

I would like to go after PBS, FOX, ABC, CBS, NBC. Not sure if possible or not.
The antennas that I'm looking at are:
1.Dual-gapless Hoverman.
2.GH10(rev2).
3.vertical stack m-8 with rods

If possible I would like to stay away from screen reflectors (afraid of wind), but if I don't have another choice, I will go with them.

If anybody can help me with dimensions for my specific location and also help me choose the right antenna (even if it's different from my list) I would appreciate. Thank you.

Regards,
bece13

[nikiml]

Just a note that in a year you will have (at least) two VHF-hi channels: 9 and 11.

I think you should investigate what will be the situation in Kitchener/Cambridge after the switchover in mid 2011.

[stampeder]

Yep, that's a good point nikiml.

bece13, if you haven't already, please have a read through the following thread to get a sense of the stations in your area now and in the future: ON - Kitchener, Waterloo, Guelph, Cambridge, Bruce Peninsula

[bece13]

stampeder: thanks. I already read those.

nikml: thanks. After reading a little bit more and after visiting your website I'm kind of looking to build Jed's Gapless Reflector Hoverman 7mm (easier to build) with your GH10n3 narods for improved VHF. Will it work? If not I'll build the GH10n3. Can I use 1/4 copper pipe for zigzag driven elements, for the reflector elements and for the narods?

I installed 4nec2, but beside reading the dimensions of the elements I don't understand to much. sorry.

[nikiml]

Originally Posted by bece13

nikml: thanks. After reading a little bit more and after visiting your website I'm kind of looking to build Jed's Gapless Reflector Hoverman 7mm (easier to build) with your GH10n3 narods for improved VHF. Will it work?

I have not done anything with the gapless jed models. Just using the narods and the narod reflectors from GH10n3 probably won't be a good fit. It has to be looked at.

Originally Posted by bece13

If not I'll build the GH10n3. Can I use 1/4 copper pipe for zigzag driven elements, for the reflector elements and for the narods?
.

Copper should be ok.

But I think I will have better models soon.
Even now I have models with comparable UHF and better VHF.
Like the GH10n3 here.

[bece13]

Thanks Nikml.

I will then probably go with one of your models.

How soon do you think you'll have something. Don't mean to be impolite. I just need to make a decision in building something because the winter is coming and you know haw it is and I will not be able to go on the roof. I hate paying for crap to rogers.

I will have more questions and I will appreciate if you can help me.

I saw in one of your posts that you might need help with optimizations. I have a pc where I can run something, I just don't know what I need to do. If you can give me clear instructions I might be able to help.

Thanks again.

[nikiml]

I'll try to prepare something this weekend.
What are you computer specs? Does it have multiple cores? How many?
What is the OS? Windows?
You will need to install Python 2.6 or higher.

[bece13]

Thanks.

I have a desktop that can run 24/7 with the following specs:
Operating System
MS Windows 7 32-bit
CPU
Intel Pentium 4 540
Prescott 90nm Technology
RAM
2.5GB Dual-Channel DDR @ 199MHz (3-3-3-8)
Motherboard
Hewlett-Packard 0968h (XU1 PROCESSOR)
Graphics
@ 1440x900
Intel(R) 82915G/GV/910GL Express Chipset Family
Intel(R) 82915G/GV/910GL Express Chipset Family
Hard Drives
78GB Seagate ST380013AS ATA Device

and a laptop which usually does not run 24/7:
Operating System
MS Windows 7 32-bit
CPU
Intel Mobile Core 2 Duo T7200 @ 2.00GHz 51 °C
Merom 65nm Technology
RAM
2.0GB Dual-Channel DDR2 @ 267MHz (4-4-4-11)
Motherboard
TOSHIBA Satellite P100 (U2E1)
Graphics
Generic PnP Monitor @ 1440x900
256MB GeForce Go 7600 (Toshiba) 78 °C
Hard Drives
195GB FUJITSU MHV2200BT PL ATA Device (IDE)

I did not work with Python but not a problem to install it if you tell me where to to get and what I need to do. (my daughter might have it, I'll ask her)

Let me know if I can help.