ON - Vaughan/Richmond Hill//Markham/North of 407 - OTA

[mrcolortini]

Wondering how other folks are making out in this part of RH. I'm not far from Buttonville. Here's my TV fool signal analysis. Mostly interested in US stations but I've got lots of giant neighbourhood trees to contend with. Looking at either an 8-bay or homebuilt antenna and a pre-amp if need be, anyone have any ideas?

http://www.tvfool.com/?option=com_wr...de6506d8eaa70c

[dheian]

Any of the Markham OTAers have a link to the applicable by-laws for antennas? After the missus and I went OTA, my mother in Markham is considering doing it too.

[Bman72s]

I asked this exact question to the Town of Markham when I went OTA 5 years ago. I have a chimney mount CM4221. I was told there were no real restrictions as long as it was on your property. I seem to remember you were even allowed a tower but I can't remember what the limitation on it was. If you drive around you still see plenty of towers and chimney mount antennas. There are 4 alone on my street. Three went up after mine did. If you call the town bylaw dept. they can tell you. Unless it has been updated their website only makes reference to satellite dish restrictions.

[dheian]

Bman72s,

Thanks for the info. I'll look further into it.

[ipak]

Hello everybody,

I have done some research on this and TVFool website. Here is TVFool's report for may location in Woodbridge
http://www.tvfool.com/?option=com_wr...de650258ee3bc0
I want to install a good quality antenna on 20-25 feet telescoping mast in my backyard. The length of the cable between two TVs and antenna will be 120 feet.
Can you advice me on the choice of some good antennas for my location?
Do I find antennas and the mast in Canadian stores or do I have to order them from USA?

Thanks

[Jase88]

ipak, welcome to the OTA forums! I've moved your post to the proper area reception thread.

I'm curious: Is there a particular reason you intend to use a telescoping mast? These setups require guy wires, which tend to demand much of the space in one's yard. Is a rooftop or attic setup not possible?

[ipak]

Jasse88,

I don't want to install antenna on the roof for aesthatic reasons. Installing antenna in the attic is not an option, either.
I considered an outdoor installation because my backyard is slopped upwards.
By placing the mast in the corner of the backyard, at 14 feet above ground, antenna will be about 2 feet above the roof top. The cable length from antenna to two TVs will be from 100 to 120 feet.
I want the best UHF/VHF antenna for my location but with so many of them it is hard to choose.
On June 13, 2011, John Candle, a senior digital forum member recommended for another member from Woodbridge the Winegard HD7698 antenna.
This antenna looks much bigger than HD Stacker antenna from Denny's Antenna website http://www.dennysantennaservice.com/1136892.html

Thanks

[Jase88]

Understood.

The cable length is manageable with a decent pre-amp. Have you checked out the Antenna Recommendation Chart?

[HWP]

ipak,

Welcome to the forum. Your TVFool link did not work for me.

I have the Winegard 7697 and I get excellent results with it.

I'd have to see your TV Fool before recommending it or the 7698.

If you just need fifteen feet or so, maybe you could try securing a mast to a fencepost in your backyard.

[Jase88]

^^^^
TVfool report worked well for me?!

[ipak]

HWP,

Here is my new TVFool link:
http://www.tvfool.com/?option=com_wr...de653f588d9968

What is the smallest antenna that could achieve the same results as the Winegard 7697 or 7698?

[HWP]

Ipak,

From the look of your TV Fool report, you have a couple of challenges. Your Toronto and Buffalo stations are in the same direction so you have both strong and weak signals at the same time.

Please re-do your TVFool at 25 feet. I think you need more height than you are hoping to get away with.

The good news is I don't think you'd benefit from a combo or VHF antenna. So you could just obtain a quality UHF antenna - which is smaller than a combo antenna.

Consider a Channel Master 4228hd or similar brand name 8-bay antenna from Antennas Direct, Winegard, or Antennacraft. If you want a smaller antenna than that, the only one I would consider is the Antennas Direct DB4e.

You may need a pre-amp. Winegard 269 but don't get one unless you have trouble with some of your channels.

Once installed you'll want to re-scan throughout 2012 searching for some new channels that will be switching from VHF to UHF or adding UHF transmitters. So over time, you may get some new channels CTV2 and CHCH coming from Hamilton - not sure when.

Good luck!

[ipak]

HWP,

I will follow your advice and buy 8-bay antenna and 30’ telescopic mast, and skip the Winegard 269 for now. I will report my results in a few weeks. Could you please recommend any store to buy these items?

Thank you very much for your help.

[HWP]

I did not advise you to get a 30' telescoping mast.

You should learn more about telescoping masts before deciding to buy one. Please read through the Mounts thread in Digital Home to get advice.

You'll need guy-wires for a 30-foot mast. You may not have the space. If no set-up properly, a fallng 30' mast could kill someone.

[905ben]

hi, guys :
I had my basement done and plasma is in .
its time to get the OTA now .
do I need to get channel master or any 8 bay from ebay will work ?
do I need a 16db or 30db pre-amp like CM7777 or CM7778 ? or a regular 10db pre-amp is good enough ?

plan is put antenna in the attic , pick cable from one of the bedroom and bridge it to basement , and then split into 3 .

thanks !