QC - Island of Montreal (Central areas) & Nuns' Island - OTA

[Eloylb]

Hello,

I'm trying to receive OTA digital channels in Cote Des Neiges in Montreal with a passive internal antenna "Omni TV Antenna, Passive".
In Montreal Downtown, this antenna permitted me to receive about 6 Digital channels. In Cote des neiges, I can't receive any digital channel with it.

Do you think I should buy an Antenna with an amplifier? Is there something else I can do to receive Digital Channels.

By the way, I cannot put an external antenna.

Thank you.

[Blackburst]

Hi...the Cote-des-neiges area of Montreal can be spotty. It really depends on what part of the area you live in.

Goto www.dtv.gov
and click on reception maps. Put in your address or postal code and you'll see what that'll give you. That'll show you US channels. As for getting any of the Montreal DT channels, that maybe even harder until the local DT stations place their transmitters on the mountain.

Also, with your present set-up, how close is your reception signal to your TV's picture lock for each channel?

[Eloylb]

Hi According to dtv.gov, I should only receive WCFE PBS 57-1

Sorry but I didn't understand your question:
Also, with your present set-up, how close is your reception signal to your TV's picture lock for each channel?

Thanks,

[tvlurker]

Hi According to dtv.gov, I should only receive WCFE PBS 57-1

I would use the online maps feature of TVfool.com.
Just type your complete address in either the stret or city box, and then switch to satellite view on the resulting google map to postion your antenna position exactly.
Chances are, though, if dtv.gov only lists WCFE, Mount Royal is probably shielding you from Mount Mansfield.

[Blackburst]

Ref Post #1392

Okay, that means that you're living somewhere east of Cote-des-Neiges road, and north of Cote St-Catherine. You have the mountain blocking your Burlinton,VT stations. WCFE-DT is not bad. If you like PBS programming.

As for my original question. Let me explain. To see the signal meter in your TV you will need to tune into one of the DT channels. Let's try WCFE-DT. Tune into 38.1. Access the TV menus. Somewhere in the menus is a signal Meter. This varies in name from TV brand. This will take you to a signal meter. And you can see the signal strength. Now, a picture lock % will vary from TV brand. Example on my Sharp TV, I need 34% for a signal to lock so that I can get an image. Anything below will result in no image. Now your TV may be different and may require a different % to lock. By checking this out, you'll see how close you are to a signal lock. This can help you better place your antenna. It can also help you to determine if you need to get a better antenna. Or place a antenna outdoors. You can check all the channels this way if you are getting no picture lock on any of the DT channels.

Here is a list to make sure you tune ino the proper channel in order to check the signal meter.

13.1 - WVNY-DT
14.1 - WPTZ-DT
19.1 - CBFT-DT
20.1 - CBMT-DT
22.1 - WCAX-DT
23.1 - WNPI-DT
27.1 - CIVM-DT
32.1 - WETK-DT
38.1 - WCFE-DT
42.1 - CFJP-DT
43.1 - WFFF-DT

Also, make sure you place your indoor TV antenna near a window. This will help.

[Eloylb]

Thanks,

I also have a sharp TV. I'll try and see the signal meter today. As you said, this will help me place the antenna.
Do you think an antena with an amplifier would help me capture a better signal?

[Blackburst]

Yes, a amp will help you. But, you also have to understand that if the signal is so low, or none at all, this will not help you. There are various pre-amp units that people on this board use. They can better explain it to you and make suggestions. As for my end, I use a Channel Master 3412. Not really a pre-amp but a signal splitter and pixel drop stabilizer. You might also look into the Channel Master 3410. Both these units also have a signal booster on them. The signal booster is better on the CM3410. Read up on them. And you'll better understand how they work. I've used both. But settled with the CM3412 simply because I could split the signal in order to feed my Digital Box/VHS set up in order to record programs.

[stampeder]

Eloylb, go to www.tvfool.com and put in your address and then when it gives you your chart just copy and paste the URL from your browser's location bar into a reply here to this thread so that we can also see your chart. The info on that chart will be a huge benefit for the folks here who can then offer some great advice.

[Eloylb]

http://www.tvfool.com/?option=com_wr...77218c68146ac6

Here's the link.

Thanks,

[Daemons]

Originally Posted by Eloylb

http://www.tvfool.com/?option=com_wr...77218c68146ac6

Are you sure about your location? According to TVFool, the most you can hope for is getting the local stations. And even then being 2nd edge and low signal, you'll need a very good antenna.

Are you in an apt. building on 1st or 2nd floor downtown? I'm trying to understand why your levels are so low being south of the mountain.

Marc

[Eloylb]

Yep. Unfortunatly, it seems that there's not so many channels I can receive. I'm on 1st floor. I tried with internal antenna, but all I received are local analogue channels with a very fuzzy picture.

[herba]

I am near the olympic stadium, antenne point a Mt-Mansfield
From Mt Mansfield got

Fox at 6/10 bars
PBS at 8/10 bars
NBC a 10/10 bars
CBS at 10/10 bars

V is coming from the side, so its only at 5/10.

[Daemons]

Originally Posted by herba

I am near the olympic stadium

You must be getting Tele-Quebec (ch27) at 15/10 bars

You didn't mention what kind on antenna, outside (rooftop) or inside and what TV/Tuner you use.

Marc

[chicken_strips]

Picked up a CM 3412 from Saveandreplay while I was down in Toronto this past week, came home and installed it right away. This made a world of difference over the GE amp. Got my 44-1 and 33-1 rock solid now. Now just got to take on the ABC problem.

[balm]

i assume you are splitting 2 ways and where did you place it