NY - Buffalo, Southern Tier, Batavia, Rochester, Syracuse

[BrahmaBull]

are one of those an equivelant to CTV? I'm looking to get Hockey Night In Canada. Sorry for my ignorance on the channel names.

[Cyclism]

Yes, CBLT is the CBC affiliate in Toronto which broadcasts Hockey Night In Canada.

[BrahmaBull]

I heard something about 26 or 40, do the channel numbers change based on where you are? Im doubting it but hey im a noob, haha

[Yaamon]

BrahmaBull CBC is broadcasted on uhf chan 20 and with psip remaped to 5-1.

[BrahmaBull]

thanks, what is psip? Im assuming 5-1 is the channel, also overall is it more beneficial to get a VHF/UHF antenna over a UHFonly?

these are the two I can get today:

Terk TV5 (UHF/VHF):
http://www.crutchfield.com/S-K6AWZ2l...15920&I=209TV5

OR

The Phillips phdtv1 (UHF):
http://www.amazon.com/Philips-PHDTV1.../dp/B0007XDI54

I used the TV5 when I sold TVs at CC. Always worked well, never picked up canadian stuff, this was yrs ago though.

thanks again.

[stampeder]

BrahmaBull, before we go any further (and please do not buy an antenna yet) make sure you click on the links in this post to get a better understanding of what the OTA situation is. Let us know when you've read through them because we can offer you some expert advice here.

[026163]

BrahmaBull, a $50 range indoor antenna like the ones u listed will get u at max, all of the Buffalo networks. Even that's not always the case.

I don't want you to be misinformed and expect alot more than you should. Basically, best case scenario for Canada stations is: you get the Canadian Broadcasting Corporation (CBC, HNIC...etc) , and CTV. Omni2 may be a possibility. Buffalonians have had very little luck getting Toronto stations. (basically you need a good tower)

This will require:
- height (whether by chance u are in a very high area, or tower)
- elite UHF antenna like CM4228
- clear path to Toronto

that being said, a lot of this depends on your location. There is a guy in lockport who gets everysingle Canadian DTV station. Also i suggest PMing a guy on this forum named Jimdoo. He is from Buffalo, and has a CM4228, but can only get CBC from Canada. He has trees in the way between his antenna and the CN Tower.

Please inform us of your location within Buffalo, and what the path is like between where your antenna would be (your roof?) and Toronto. ie are there trees, buildings blocking the path, how high would you need to go to eliminate those obstacles...etc

good luck

[BrahmaBull]

Thanks for all the help, Spent a good amount of time on that AVS board. Anyways, I ended up buying the TV5 antenna before I seen this post , I have a 30 day return window so I'm not too worried.

From spending an hour or so with this antenna I get all the standard buffalo stuff. nbc, cbs, abc, fox, wned with great signal. 5.1 CBC HD doesnt come in but I do get a signal reading. 38. Does this mean I have a chance with this indoor antenna? At what reading does it need to be to decode?

I had seen that PDF and didnt understand it too much, looks like I would qualify for deep fringe trying to hit CTV on 5.1, so what antenna would work if this indoor one doesnt cut it?

To answer your height question, Im in a second floor apt, I wonder if I could mount a tower on my porch? lol might look a little ridiculous

[026163]

first of all, remember that "CTV" is a seperate Canadian network on 40-1(9-1) which you shouldn't worry about yet.......It's CBC on 5-1 that you want to get, for HNIC...etc

The fact that you get a 38% signal on CBC with your antenna is a very GOOD sign, that CBC is reachable from your location, but again you'll need an outdoor antenna. You wouldn't happen to have an old steel antenna on your roof already would you. You basically just need something higher up on top of your roof or something, and aim it towards Toronto. I would recommend a CM4228, since those are very cheap in the US, no more than 60$. Then just run some RG6 cable (as short as possible) from your roof to your tuner.

Also please consider that reception can be much better at this time of year when there are no leaves on the trees. It would be awful for you to have CBC and then come April, May, you lose the signal. If there is a big forest between your house and Toronto, please let us know...etc

[BrahmaBull]

Originally Posted by 026163

I would recommend a CM4228, since those are very cheap in the US, no more than 60$. Then just run some RG6 cable (as short as possible) from your roof to your tuner.

Looks like when you buy this they just give you the antenna, no pole, is this right?

[stampeder]

That is correct. You can get all the mounting gear you need from antenna shops or Radio Shack.

[BrahmaBull]

From the looks of this I just need a pole, or somewhere high to mount it, appears to come with brackets.

http://www.solidsignal.com/prod_disp...=Large-3#xview

Does this need to be amp'd? is that where a pre amp comes in?

[jimdoo]

Originally Posted by Tom.F.1

Short answer is yes, CFTO, CBLT, CBLFT all in DTV should be easy to get from CN Tower. CITY is low power directional, so really hard to get in Buffalo and CKXT (SUN) is really low power.

I would not necessarily say its easy to get Canadian stations from Buffalo. From my experience - I regularly get CBC and nothing else. I have a CM4228 pointed North on my roof and a big tree directly in front of it. (If I had my way it would not be there) I do not have a rotor or pre-amp though. It all depends on your setup I would say. I belive videobruce has had similar results from the same area. To answer your question Brahmabull - Yes it's possible to get HD ota from Canada. It does however depend on your budget !

[BrahmaBull]

I think I'm gonna give this CM4228 a go! What is the most I should pay with shipping, no mast(USD)?

[jimdoo]

Try here:
http://www.warrenelectronics.com/antennas/4228.htm