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

[Blackburst]

You're probably getting a bounce due to all the snow on the ground. I've noticed all the Burlington/Plattsburgh channels are coming stronger as well. I even get WVNY-DT these days.

[freddychris]

Thanks Blackburst. I am actually in the high 50s today. If it is the snow though, that would mean that it is only temporary. Darn
Also, It's unfortunate that I cannot catch anything else.

[EdT]

I haven't been able to get a lock on SRC 2.1(19.1), CBC 6.1(20.1) or 35.1(42.1) since summer and only periodically during a rain storm, first I thought it was leaves and foliage from trees, but I still can't get a lock now that it is winter. Have they decreased their signal ?

My antenna is aimed at Mount Mansfield at approx 163Deg south so I can catch both Mont-Royal at 116Deg and Lyon's Mountain at 206Deg. (Deg are in magnetic north)

[Yuprules]

EdT: Except CBC 6-1 and 2-1 aren't on Mount Royal, they are located on a temporary tower on their office building near the Jacques Cartier Bridge.

They won't be on mount royal till the analog cut off date for all Canadian channels in 2011.

[EdT]

@Yuprules: I am aware of their temporary HD transmitter locations, but the question I have is how was I able to get a very strong signal(57-70) from them for about 3 months and then it faded during the hot summer months ? Most of them are at the 106deg area just 10deg shy of their Mont-Royal location.

[Philippe]

i would like to build this antenna but not alone. Because iam not sure if iam able to build this.

they are a person who are interested to built this antenna with me ?



i live in montreal near the olympic stadium

[stampeder]

Hi Philippe, in the Antenna Research & Development forum you should start a thread to ask for help, and here are some examples:

Help With my GH Antenna please

First GH Build- Need help!

You'll get good assistance there.

[Philippe]

for me its to difficult to make this.
i would like prefere to built with a people.
iam visual..if they are a video to how make this



also...since a few week the channel 33.1 3.1 and 5.1 the signal was poor (down)
Why ?


if they are a people who are a channel master 7777 if he won try it my home on my channel master 4228 ..because i dont have many money and . et je veux pas resté pris avec si ca marche pas.

[stampeder]

Il pourrait y avoir un peu d'aide ici pour vous aussi:

http://www.digitalhome.ca/forum/forumdisplay.php?f=81

[Preshmaster]

Hello fellow OTA enthusiasts!

I recently built a Hoverman antenna (without reflectors) using the PDF plans from a makezine blog entry.

I live on the edge of the Plateau. Tested it from the roof and various locations, and found it works pretty well when mounted on the balcony. This is convenient since I'd be more concerned about lightning if it were mounted on the roof. We have a fairly clear view to the south anyway.

Just installed it this weekend. Gets reliable reception on these channels. Basically, all the US stations are coming from Mt. Mansfield in Vermont, so the antenna is aimed that way, as all the local stations are easy to pick up.

CBFT 2.1 - Radio-Canada
WCAX 3.1 - CBS Burlington
WPTZ 5.1/2 - NBC Burlington / This TV
CBMT 6.1 - CBC Montreal
CIVM 17.1 - Télé-Québec
WETK 33.1/3/4 - PBS Burlington / Create / PBS World
CFJP 35.1 - V Montreal
WFFF 44.1/2 - Fox Burlington / The CW

Worst reception comes from WFFF with about ~19.5 dB SNR at best. TV rates it at 37% strength but still locks it in.

I spliced it onto an existing RG-6 cable which runs outside. To my surprise I noticed a huge difference in signal stability depending on whether the splice point (a couple F connectors + an adapter) was insulated. It's currently wrapped in electric tape but I'm planning to heat shrink it next. Such a small detail for such a big difference!

[Passepoil]

Hello Preshmaster,

Cool for you!

But how come you have the guide for ThisTV? For how long you have it (few hours or a week)? Cause I have 3 ATSC decoder (Box, TV and DTVPal DVR) and none of them give me the guide for 5.2.

[stampeder]

Hi Preshmaster, that makezine web blog, its photos, its video, and its PDF files all contain the same error that they were told about when they first put them out -

that antenna IS NOT a Hoverman! It irritates me that they have not fixed that blunder after all that time.

If you are happy with the performance of the one you built then that's fine, but our site is the home of the very best home build DIY antennas you can build, the authentic Gray Hoverman and the genuine M4:

Best Do-It-Yourself OTA Antennas - see these links

[stampeder]

Originally Posted by Passepoil

But how come you have the guide for ThisTV?

Those were images from the makezine site, not his own.

[formula1]

I've been reading this forum for a while & finally made my own 4 bay antenna using coat hangers complete with a wire mesh reflector & CM7777 pre-amp. The antenna is using 9" whiskers, spaced at 9" and installed in my attic using a 75" coax RG59 coax.

Of the Mt Mansfield signals, my TVfool report tells me that I should be able to catch these:

WCFE-DT 38 (57.1)PBS 63.5 1Edge 11.5
WCAX-DT 22 (3.1) CBS 82.6 2Edge 11.2
WPTZ-DT 14 (5.1) NBC 82.6 2Edge 7.9
WETK-DT 32 (33.1)PBS 82.7 2Edge 2.0
WFFF-DT 43 (44.1)Fox 82.6 2Edge -1.5
WVNY-DT 13 (22.1)ABC 82.6 2Edge -2.2

I'm able to get 3.1, 3.2, 5.1, 5.2, 33.1,33.2,33.3,33.4 and just barely fox WFFF 44.1, and never get 57.1.

Yesterday, a cooll sunny day I had a decent lock on 44.1, but as soon as the sun when down I lost the signal. It's raining today & still don't have it back. Fox is very touch & go, not a reliable signal for me. I've aligned the antenna just right to get me the highest signal gain, so I'm sure the antenna is pointing correctly.

I have 2 questions pls...
Do TV stations power down at night & change their patterns & that's why I can't get fox after a certain hour?

Will building a bigger antenna (DB8) or getting a real CM4221 offer me better chances of locking into 44.1?

Thanks!

[downbeat]

Hey formula1: Just because a station is listed on your TV Fool report doesn't necessarily mean you will easily receive it.
In fact, the list the site generates for you goes from highest signal strength to lowest, with the stuff at the bottom being stations hardest to receive.
All those numbers in the far right column, abbreviations and background colour codings are there to explain the predicted reception in your area. If you have a moment, you should read through the TV Fool signal analysis FAQ.

As for your two questions:
- I don't think any TV stations reduce power or change patterns at night. A few just plain go off the air.
- A different antenna could help, depending on your specific situation. Also, mounting the antenna outside vs. the attic should help, too. Height is as important as the kind of antenna you choose.