AB - Calgary, Lethbridge, Southern Alberta - OTA

[stampeder]

Sorry to say it but I don't foresee Digital OTA stations in Canmore or Banff for several years, and the situation is not very clear at this point.

[indy31]

I just picked up a Jensen 611 antenna. OBviously I did this before finding this website.

I believe I have it set up right, but most channels come in fuzzy. I live in a condo (the new London buildings off Macleod Tr) so my options are extremely limited (i.e. nothing outside and can't exactly move the antenna/tv around a lot). Are there any suggestions for receiving the HD signals or even the normal signals better?

I have CBC, CBC French, Global (very static), CTV, E! and Omni from what I can tell. I've tried playing around with hte position, but that doesn't seem to do much. There was no documentation with the antenna

[roger1818]

indy31, You need an ATSC tuner to receive HDTV broadcasts. Most newer name brand TVs have one built in (it is a requirement in the US), but smaller brands often only have an NTSC (analog) tuner to save money if the TV is only sold in Canada.

[indy31]

Thanks Roger. I have a newer Toshiba 26" LCD (bought two Boxing Day's ago), but I would have to double check what model number. Any tips on improving normal reception?

[stampeder]

Which floor are you on, indy31?

[darklord]

I've the Bell 9200 PVR and it can pick up about 20 or so SD OTA stations but it can't pick up the one CTV HD OTA station, is there something I can do to make it pick up the CTV HD station?

I'm at Crowfoot, NW. I'm getting 20 analogues or so, my reception should be OK.

[newbiecalgary]

I just installed a Hauppauge USB 950 with a digital antenna, run there win TV software, what do I scan for to pick up CTV HD? I believe its the ATSC source, tried the autoscan and no luck, analog finds 1 or two channels.
Does antenna placement matter? Any comments (besides those about my lack of knowledge) would be appreciated

Thanks

[stampeder]

What is your location, newbiecalgary (city, nearest major street corner or name of neighbourhood)

[Arthur Dent]

Originally Posted by newbiecalgary

I just installed a Hauppauge USB 950 with a digital antenna, run there win TV software, what do I scan for to pick up CTV HD? I believe its the ATSC source, tried the autoscan and no luck, analog finds 1 or two channels.
Does antenna placement matter? Any comments (besides those about my lack of knowledge) would be appreciated

Thanks

The fact that you are only getting 1-2 analog channels means the reception with your antenna is very problematic. Try moving it to a different position, closer to a window. Scan only ATSC channel 36 (no need to wait for the full scan of all digital frequencies).

[ClgShaft]

Originally Posted by newbiecalgary

I just installed a Hauppauge USB 950 with a digital antenna, run there win TV software, what do I scan for to pick up CTV HD? I believe its the ATSC source, tried the autoscan and no luck, analog finds 1 or two channels.
Does antenna placement matter? Any comments (besides those about my lack of knowledge) would be appreciated

Thanks

the antenna that comes with the haupauge 950 is not going to get you very good reception.

your location will also help.

I would build a gray hooverman or buy an antenna off the antenna chart.

[indy31]

Stampeder,

I am on the 13th floor. Really not much else at that height around here

[RonXYZ]

Posted today on the CRTC site


APPROVED - Broadcasting licence to operate an English‑language transitional digital television programming undertaking associated with CICT‑TV Calgary and CITV‑TV Edmonton.


http://www.crtc.gc.ca/eng/whatsnew.htm

[gsjacobs]

I have seen posted elsewhere in this forum that CICT was to broadcast DTV from the roof of their studio during the transition period, and then post-transition they would then broadcast from their existing tower (which is currently broadcasting analog from the top of broadcast hill.)

But the CRTC decission posted by RonXYZ states:

The digital undertaking would operate from the existing CICT-TV tower on channel 41C with an average effective radiated power (ERP) of 3,200 watts.

I don't drive near their studio very often, and I haven't paid attention to the layout of the structures/buildings at their studio. Do they have a tower at the studio now? Does the statement above from CRTC "... would operate from the existing CICT-TV tower ..." refer to a tower at their studio, or to the tower currently broadcasting analog up on broadcast hill? In other words, does this CRTC decission mean that they are NOT going to broadcast from the roof of the studio during transition? If so, that will help a lot of Calgarians during transition with regards to aiming antenna's.

Originally Posted by RonXYZ

Posted today on the CRTC site
APPROVED - Broadcasting licence to operate an English‑language transitional digital television programming undertaking associated with CICT‑TV Calgary and CITV‑TV Edmonton.


http://www.crtc.gc.ca/eng/whatsnew.htm

[stampeder]

I was also taken by that part of the CRTC announcement - I hope someone will call CICT to determine exactly which tower is being discussed. If its the analogue tower west of CFCN I'd be happy for Calgarians. If its on top of the studios over at Barlow and Centre Ave NE I'd be irritated since many viewers would have to contend with the stations being at vastly different azimuths.

[roger1818]

From Application No. 2008-1047-5:

4.3 Describe in detail the transmission site, tower (antenna supporting structure) and other facilities (antenna, building, etc.) that you intend to use for the proposed television undertaking.

Existing stub tower at CICT-TV studio