QC - South Shore, Eastern Townships, Northern NY and VT

[Kraven]

Good site. I initially used mclapp's design for the bowtie (real easy to make). Anywho, all this talk I decided this weekend to build a quad bay antenna (deep fringe/tropo purposes). Probably wont make much of a difference but its fun none the less (especially the scanning part).

Cheers, K

[Pauly Malois]

Hello,

I'm new to OTA reception and I was looking for some advice since I am a bit lost after many reasearch and readings.

Location

I live in Longueuil, postal code J4K 3X7, and you can find my Tvfool report here: http://www.tvfool.com/?option=com_wr...073bbf8c3abfc7

Ideally, I would like to go for both Montreal and U.S. stations in order to maximize channels, but I fear that multidirectional antennas seem to have shorter range and might not pick up U.S. stations (maybe I'm wrong here).

What about the DW 7287 which advertises to possibility to aim in two directions ? But I have also read that this is not as simple as that and it might seem a little "too good to be true"...

Then again, would a directional antenna pointed to the U.S. transmitters still pick up the Canadian channels because it is so close ?

At this point, I am NOT considering two antennas with an A/B switch nor rotors (I'm going for the simple approach first…).

Setup

Again, I will describe ideal setup, but I could also settle for a single TV if this is what works best.

- Antenna will be located on the roof of a duplex (30 feet or so). I have an old mast with, I think, an old LookTV antenna. Obviously, I intend to replace the antenna.
- TV 1 on the main floor (main TV)
- TV 2 in the basement, but it is actually a projector hooked up to a computer and A/V receiver. I believe it is possible to buy some kind of tuner adapter for the computer. Do you have any suggestion ?
- TV 3 on the second floor for the tenant (as a bonus… but I wouldn't care much if it didn't work)

I am not sure if this setup would require amplification.

Thank you for your time and any guidance will be greatly appreciated !

[Kraven]

Hi Pauly and welcome...

Looking at your TVfool results, you should be able to aim the antenna between Montreal and US and find the "sweet spot" to get both since your about 30ft off the ground, perhaps even cheating towards the US side (I'd be surprised if you need 2 antennas). Mine's facing the US and the MTL channels are coming in off the side.

A pre-amp would be recommended over an amp.

If you have the time, i'd suggest you build your own antenna first (there are alot of designs and good folks avaulable to help you here at DHC). Its fun, inexpensive and gives you a better idea of what you'll get. Everything i used was already in the garage except for the balumn which was 1$ at Dollarama.

Hope this helps,
Cheers, K

PS- remember, we all started from scratch at one point

[Pauly Malois]

Thanks for the reply. I actually went ahead and bought a DG 7287 8 bay antenna. It was relatively cheap for my first experimentation.

Results (fully pointing it towards the U.S. stations and no splitter/amp at this point):

2.1
3.1
3.2
5.1
5.2
6.1
10.1
12.1
15.1
15.2 (Duplicate not HD)
17.1
24.1 (50%) Tele-Quebec duplicate (from sherbrooke ?)
33.1
33.2 (Duplicate not HD)
33.3
33.4
35.1 (75% + skipping)
44.1
44.2
57.1 (75%)
57.2 (75%)
57.3 (75%)
62.1 (75%)

Only missing channel is 22.1 (ABC) and 35.1 (V) signal can be skippy. I haven't done any extensive testing on stability but at this point I consider my first objective a success !! (getting rid of cable TV).

Now I will try to fine tune the reception by trying to point a little more towards Montreal (either the whole antenna or half of it).

I also need to finalize cabling... At this point, I was considering using what I have lying around here, and I'll purchase new pieces as needed. Here's what I was thinking:

Use a coupler, with the TAP (-6db) going to the 2nd floor (tenant). Then split the remaining signal (-1.5db from the coupler and -3.5db from the splitter) for my two TV on the main floor and basement. This way I think I will get a relatively balanced output on all 3 locations (assuming the longer cables give me a slight additional loss on top of the -5db).

Then I will see if I need amplification. You seem to recommend pre-amp over amp and I'm not sure I get the difference, could you give me a little more details ?

[Kraven]

Good results considering your first starting...

IIRC, site member Stampeder has a sticky regarding pre-amps vs amps.
http://digitalhome.ca/forum/showthread.php?t=41102
Check out Post #13

22.1 (ABC) is a torn for a lot of us (inteference). Since its a VHF channel, some have had success on the south shore w/ a Yagi antenna.

When you have a moment, can you please PM me and let me know where you bought the antenna and how much?

Cheers, K

[tanker]

This may not be the correct thread, but here's my situation. Am located in Calgary, will be visiting Longueuil where my mother-in-law has decided she wants to cut the $52/month cord with Videotron. She has a CRT analog TV with a separate VCR, both fairly old. She never uses the latter.

Just for the heck of it, I plugged in her TV fool coordinates (see link below) and much to my surprise it shows at least four analog stations with strong green zone power (ie. rabbit ears territory). Is this true, and if so for how much longer will these be transmitting ? This may be adequate for her needs and for when the family visits.

The alternate is to buy a small LCD set with digital tuner and one of those Channel Master fish skeleton antennas.

http://www.tvfool.com/?option=com_wr...13499c1f7b024b

[interdit_450]

Hello Tanker,

those seven "green zone" analog stations have all been converted to digital. In fact Global 46 is on DTV 15 (virtual + real) now

That TV Fool info is out of date.

[Loogeuil]

Hi all, first time posting but reading for about 2 months. Great site and thanks a lot! I realized that i love this hobby even if my electronic and antenna knowledge is limited to say the least, it's almost like a drug .
I'm from Longueuil, Qc, here's my TVfool:
http://www.tvfool.com/?option=com_wr...13490d4c557bfa

I decided to install a DB4e on my 3½" diam. clothesline galvanized stell pipe which is 12' high (antenna at 20' AG), i use a CM3414 dist. amp. with 40' coax.

After several (i mean alot) of testing i finally choose to aim the DB4e toward WLED Littlton NH which i get (listenable) i'd say half of the time on my Zenith 901 and Zinwell DA converters, my Samsung HDTV doesn't detect it.

I'm quite happy with this setup because i get those viewable channels on the 2 set top boxes, more difficult on the crappy DTV tuner (11,24,30,57):

2 CBFT Mtl
3 (1,2) WCAX Mt-Mansfield
5 (1,2) WPTZ Mt-Mansfield
6 CBMT Mtl
10 CFTM Mtl
11 (1,2,3) WLED NH (not on my tvfool)
12 CFCF Mtl
15 (1,2) CKMI Mtl
17 CIVM Mtl
24 CIVS Sherbrooke
30 CFKS Sherbrooke (very seldom)
33 (1,2,3,4) WETK Mt Mansfield
35 CFJP Mtl
44 (1,2) WFFF Mt-Mansfield
57 (1,2,3) WCFE Lyon Mountain VT
62 CJNT Mtl

What i would like is to get even more channel if possible. I'm not shure if i should install a CM7778 or a 7777 to get the weekest chan. better.
I'd love to buy a XG91, DB8 and maybe an HD8800 for testing but i will not, better ask the experts and learn by the way. I also wouldn't mind making a SBGH or a DBGH if i would be strongly advised to.
I'd appreciate alot if some knowledgeable members (french or english speaking) could give me their opinions for my next tests or moves.
Thanks
Loo

[BOUVAL]

11 (1,2,3) WLED NH (not on my tvfool)

Loogeuil,

WLED is in your TV-Fool. Real channel 48, It's no big deal getting WLED as you already get two PBS stations.

There's one missing in your listing, which is RF29 Canal Savoir ! The real challenge in the Montreal area is to get RF13 ABC.

It's useless to amplify more your setup, you'll overload.

You may get more going with an 8 bay antenna like the CM4228HD.
.

[Loogeuil]

BOUVAL,
Thanks for your reply.
I must be missing something because the channel 48 doesn't appear in my tvfool's "Real" or "Virt" columns, the two other PBS stations on the list are WVTB and WNPI .
My interest in WLED is because of the different programs and schedule of PBS broadcasting.
Yes the "Canal Savoir" is difficult from my location, i've been able to get it once with my current alignment.
For ABC, i may find a way to do something about it if i find a possible solution that is not too big.
I can understand about the overload risk, because some local ch. are already received 10/10.
What do you think of a Gray-Hoverman model for my case?

[BOUVAL]

channel 48 doesn't appear in my tvfool's

Loogeuil,

Go back to your TV-Fool and click on {Only Digital} and you will see WLED-DT real channel 48.

Where did you get "11 (1,2,3) WLED NH", WLED's virtual channels are 49.1.2.Etc.

Can't tell about the Gray-Hoverman antenna, I prefer the 4 or 8 bay bowties antenna.
.

[Loogeuil]

BOUVAL,

I see the WLED on the list now, thanks for the tip.

About WLED, what i get is Prime HD (11-1), Prime SD (11-2) and Explore (11-3). For infos see http://www.nhptv.org/schedule/

It's quite confusing IMO, on Wikipedia for "New Hampshire Public Television" at
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/New_Ham...lic_Television
the ch.11 (RF11) is WENH Durham NH and the ch.49 (RF48) is WLED Littleton NH.
After all, maybe the transmitter in Littleton (WLED) is just a repeater for WENH Durham because Durham is way further on the map (between Portland and Boston).
Anyway the most interesting part of this is that i catch those 3 ch.
Also you can read a small "conversation" between ChannelMaster and Yagi at
http://www.digitalhome.ca/forum/show...=77866&page=12
(look for post #179 to 185.)

For the moment, maybe i should find a CM4228HD and hack it as much as possible and see where it brings me to.

BTW, i've looked at your pictures, a lot of work! is it? Nice work too

[Loogeuil]

Hi guys,
Here is my detection results.
Antenna aimed at WLED or WENH ? 48 (11-1) tonight Tuesday at 20h45 (clear sky no wind), Samsung DTV (great tv, crappy tuner): 2 (7/10),3 (0/10), 5 (8/10), 6 (8/10), 10 (10/10), 12 (10/10), 15 (10/10), 17 (5/10), 33 (10/10), 35 (5/10), 44 (0/10), 57 (6.5/10), 62 (5/10).
Zinwell ZAT 970 converter: 2 (100%), 3 (100%), 5 (100%), 6 (100%), 10 (100%), 11 (53%), 12 (100%),15 (100%), 17 (100%), 33 (100%), 35 (100%), 44 (65%), 57 (100%), 62 (95%).
My other DA converter is a Zenith DTT901 and is quite similar in reception to the Zinwell even better because the Canal Savoir is detected but blurred, except that the 100% dispayed chan. by the Zinwell are displayed at about 85% on the Zenith.

[Kraven]

@ Loog--> Your results are quite good. Like its been mentioned before, all tuners are different. I have 2 Sony Lcds (excellent tuner) but on the Toshiba, I don't get Audio on 3 (WCAX). Apparently its a known firmware issue...really blows

Cheers, K

[Loogeuil]

Hi Kraven,

Yes it's a pain. I may eventually find a HD tuner replacement like a
Samsung DTB-H260F or a recorder like a Channel Master CM-7400.

About my reception, since a week or so (i was out of town) it seems like my signal reception is affected by something, like this morning i was barely able to lock on the WFFF 44 even with my antenna re-aimed from Littleton NH to Mt-Mansfield.
I will soon make an DIY antenna, Bowtie or GH, not sure yet.