ON/QC - Ottawa, Outaouais, Eastern Ontario - OTA (CLOSED - See Post #1526)

[tvlurker]

Originally Posted by gmd

BTW, what's this "Diver" channel on physical 46 (3-1)? Why can't CRC broadcast something useful?

Is this what you see instead of WCFE on 38 in the West end?

-gmd

That's the 30-second diver loop I have been getting on 38 since Saturday night.

I just tried for 46, and I can see a signal (about 80% "signal strength"), but only 10% "Signal Quality" on my EyeTV USB tuner.

So I suspect that CRC has powered up their test Single Frequency Network. However, according to TVFool, I'm close to the Shirley's Bay transmitter, but the other ones are all located 90 degrees off from there, and only 10 to 20 dB down. So I suspect that either the Shirley's Bay one is not on (because they're running 38 instead, perhaps), or my antenna is not directional enough to make up for the additional 5 to 10dB the tuner needs to reject the lower powered SFN stations. According to HDTVPrimer's analysis of my Double Bow antenna, I should be getting 15-25 dB down on the off=axis signals around 90 degrees, so it's quite possible CRC-DT-2 is not on.

Here are TVFool's predictions for my location. The last column is the Noise Margin in dB.

 
 Call         Ch.    Virt Ch            miles           NoiseMargin (dB)
 CRC-DT-2 	46 	(46.1)		6.4 	LOS 	46.7
 CRC-DT-3 	46 	(46.1)		4.1 	LOS 	36.7
 CRC-DT-5 	46 	(46.1)		7.1 	LOS 	26.6
 CRC-DT-4 	46 	(46.1)		9.7 	LOS 	25.5

Anyone else getting 38 or 46?

[Fred Flintstone]

According to the pinned thread on TV reception in Ottawa, I have the possibility of pulling in some stations from Norwood, Watertown, and Plattsburgh. Is anyone else in the Ottawa area actually getting these channels? I am in Westboro, and TVFool indicates they are all either 100 or 150 miles from me. Currently my antenna is outside 25 feet off the ground below my roof line pointed at Camp Fortune. I get all CF channels listed below perfectly. So well that I thought I might move the antenna up above the roof in the spring and turn it around to face Herbert's Corners in order to improve results from the south while still getting CF channels from the north. The antenna is a CM 4221 and when I move it once the snow melts, I'll also run 2 of the 3 hacks to improve the signal (remove plastic clips, turn balun around).

Are any other Ottawa residents pulling in the following US digital channetls ?

4.1 25.1 CBOT-DT CBC Ottawa, ON CF
7.1 7.1 WWNY-DT CBS Watertown, NY
7.2 7.2 WNYF-DT FOX Watertown, NY
9.1 22.1 CBOFT-DT SRC Ottawa, ON CF
18.1 23.1 WNPI-DT PBS-SD Norwood, NY
18.2 23.2 WNPI-DT THINK&CREATE Norwood, NY
18.3 23.3 WNPI-DT PBS-HD Norwood, NY
20.1 20.1 CKXT-DT SUN-HD Ottawa, ON CF
20.2 20.2 CKXT-DT SUN-SD Ottawa, ON CF
27.1 27.1 CFMT-DT OMNI1 Ottawa, ON HC
57.1 38.1 WCFE-DT PBS-SD Plattsburgh, NY
57.2 38.2 WCFE-DT PBS-HD Plattsburgh, NY
57.3 38.3 WCFE-DT THINK Plattsburgh, NY
66.1 66.1 CJMT-DT OMNI2 Ottawa, ON HC

Thanks,
FF.

PS. CBC radio just had a feature on OTA reception as part of their series on how to save money. They kept referring to this forum without mentioning it by name, but it was specific to Ottawa. The homeowner they used to showcase reception was pulling in the same digital channels I am currently receiving (and no US channels).

[Werryner]

Originally Posted by Fred Flintstone

CBC radio just had a feature on OTA reception as part of their series on how to save money. They kept referring to this forum without mentioning it by name, but it was specific to Ottawa.

they've added a link to their blog here: http://www.cbc.ca/ottawablog/frugalista/

Originally Posted by Fred Flintstone

The homeowner they used to showcase reception

That was me. She got most of what I said fairly accurately! There might be audio at that link in a day or two.

[tvlurker]

Westboro is too low down in the valley to get reliable reception from the US.
People in barrhaven, the southern part of Orleans, and Gloucester have better luck.

I used to get the US stations in analog, but I need a better rooftop antenna to get them in digital now here in Craig Henry.

mlord in Bells Corners can get WNPI with some heroic efforts on his tower.

CRC-DT-1 on channel 38 screws up reception of WCFE for most people downtown and west of there this week.

[gmd]

Originally Posted by Fred Flintstone

Are any other Ottawa residents pulling in the following US digital channetls ?

4.1 25.1 CBOT-DT CBC Ottawa, ON CF
7.1 7.1 WWNY-DT CBS Watertown, NY
7.2 7.2 WNYF-DT FOX Watertown, NY
9.1 22.1 CBOFT-DT SRC Ottawa, ON CF
18.1 23.1 WNPI-DT PBS-SD Norwood, NY
18.2 23.2 WNPI-DT THINK&CREATE Norwood, NY
18.3 23.3 WNPI-DT PBS-HD Norwood, NY
20.1 20.1 CKXT-DT SUN-HD Ottawa, ON CF
20.2 20.2 CKXT-DT SUN-SD Ottawa, ON CF
27.1 27.1 CFMT-DT OMNI1 Ottawa, ON HC
57.1 38.1 WCFE-DT PBS-SD Plattsburgh, NY
57.2 38.2 WCFE-DT PBS-HD Plattsburgh, NY
57.3 38.3 WCFE-DT THINK Plattsburgh, NY
66.1 66.1 CJMT-DT OMNI2 Ottawa, ON HC

Thanks,
FF.

I get all those allmost all the time except the following which I almost never get. I had better luck when they were at channel 35.

7.1 7.1 WWNY-DT CBS Watertown, NY
7.2 7.2 WNYF-DT FOX Watertown, NY

BTW, of your list...
- the following is no longer there (all bandwidth to the SUN-HD)
20.2 20.2 CKXT-DT SUN-SD Ottawa, ON CF
- the following were swapped in your list (HD is first) - and they have different schedules
57.1 38.1 WCFE-DT PBS-HD Plattsburgh, NY
57.2 38.2 WCFE-DT PBS-SD Plattsburgh, NY
- this one is no longer THINK... It's ARTS whatever (argh!)
57.3 38.3 WCFE-DT THINK Plattsburgh, NY

WCFE is broadcasting from Lyon Mountain, which is much closer than their studios in Plattsburgh. I haven't seen much signal from WWTI lately.

Thinking of swapping my wagi for a 422x.

-gmd

[gmd]

file a complaint to the CRTC.

(I'm not seeing WCFE right now, as the signal is not strong enough - barely enough to show WCFE-D2, etc...)

-gmd

[tvlurker]

Originally Posted by gmd

file a complaint to the CRTC.

(I'm not seeing WCFE right now, as the signal is not strong enough - barely enough to show WCFE-D2, etc...)

-gmd

On what grounds? WCFE is not licensed to serve Canada, and we would be outside their protected contour even if there wasn't a border between us..

[FunkyTown]

Is anyone in Aylmer able to pick up the US stations? I'm in between Lucerne and chemin d'Aylmer in one of the new subdivisions.

[GerryB]

tvl-

Ive got WCFE back tonight after it was missing for the last 3 or 4 nights. Maybe it was bad weather AND the 38-1 CRC test at the same time that coupled together to knock it out. Id never seen it go out for 3 days in a row before.

[djackson]

I live near downtown Ottawa and I want to get an antenna for indoor or attic mounting. From looking at the antenna decision chart it sounds like the CM4220 or the zenith silver sensor would work, although in order to satisfy the wife I'd have to mount the CM4220 in the attic and run wiring etc. I have a few questions:
1. Would the improved reception be worth the effort to mount a CM4220?
2. Would this antenna pick up signals from both transmitter locations which are about 180 degrees apart for me (Mannotick and Camp fortune)?
3. Does anybody know where to buy these in Ottawa or order online from within Canada?
4. Do we need the full range (VHF low, VHF high, and UHF) or only some of that range to pickup all of the stations that are broadcasting in ATSC now and in the future? Maybe I could get one that is UHF only without losing anything?

[roger1818]

Originally Posted by djackson

I live near downtown Ottawa and I want to get an antenna for indoor or attic mounting. From looking at the antenna decision chart it sounds like the CM4220 or the zenith silver sensor would work, although in order to satisfy the wife I'd have to mount the CM4220 in the attic and run wiring etc. I have a few questions:

Hi djackson and welcome!

1. Would the improved reception be worth the effort to mount a CM4220?

As compared to a silver sensor or other indoor antenna, yes. The biggest problem with indoor antennas is they can be affected by people walking around the room. The extra height helps as well.

2. Would this antenna pick up signals from both transmitter locations which are about 180 degrees apart for me (Mannotick and Camp fortune)?

Possibly, but if they are close to 180 degrees apart, I would lean towards a 4221 and remove the reflector so that you can get equal gain front and back. Others in this thread have done that successfully. Are there any tall buildings in the way of either of the towers?

3. Does anybody know where to buy these in Ottawa or order online from within Canada?

We can't discuss retailers in this thread, but they are hard to find in Ottawa but there are online retailers in Canada.

4. Do we need the full range (VHF low, VHF high, and UHF) or only some of that range to pickup all of the stations that are broadcasting in ATSC now and in the future? Maybe I could get one that is UHF only without losing anything?

Currently only UHF is used for DTV in Ottawa. After the analog shutdown things are a bit foggy. VHF-HI (7-13) will almost definitely be used. Industry Canada's draft plan has Global revert to 6 here in Ottawa, but there are rumours that channels 5 and 6 will be used for digital radio, so that may not happen. You can always add a VHF antenna later and use a band combiner (or pre-amp with one built in) to join the signals though.

[stampeder]

Also djackson OTA reception is very location-based, so which major street corner are you nearest, or which neighbourhood?

[djackson]

Thanks for the responses. I'm pretty close to here (without giving the exact location):
http://maps.google.ca/maps/place?cid...wa,%2Bon&hl=en

which is the intersection of Parkdale Ave. and Tyndall in the Hintonburg neighborhood of Ottawa. I'm not sure if any buildings would block the signal but we have a Queensway overpass (raised highway with walls above my roof level) to the south which probably block the signal from the south.

[roger1818]

Originally Posted by djackson

but we have a Queensway overpass (raised highway with walls above my roof level) to the south which probably block the signal from the south.

That would be my biggest concern. The signals will bend around it to some extent, but if you are close, it doesn't give them much room to "bend." Here elevation is your friend. If you can get the antenna up in the attic it will help and on the roof would be even better.

[james007]

Hi All,

I am brand new at this so can someone help
me.

I live in Osgoode village in Ont and I,m thinking
of putting a digital antenna on my roof of a bungalow

I now there is a tower in Manotick how can I go
about with this project.