Multiple broad-range antennas are not recommended. Even without the line length issue, there's the issue of merging a bad ghosty version of a channel from one antenna (the off angle one) with a good clean channel from the second antenna (the on-angle one) and turning what was good reception into bad reception.

Multiple antennas are only useful when you get specific antennas to receive a specific channel and then use filters to merge the signals. For example with one antenna to pick up 38, you then filter out everything but 38 on that antenna, then filter out nothing but 38 on the other antenna(s), and finally merge the two signals together. But not only are the filters very expensive, but this only works one channel at a time... so if you need 7 channels from location A and 8 channels from location B, it becomes extremely expensive and is the kind of setup only a cable company would have.

Instead - just buy a rotor!

Has anyone in the Oakville to Hamilton region tried bending a CM4228 along the center vertical line so that the left half is pointing east(TO) and the right half south(BUF)?
In theory I thought this would work quite well but in practicality I didn't want to trash a $120 antenna if the results were poor. Anyone?

Daniel,

Not that this necessairly helps us in this example, but you could also get filters that are in ranges (similar to what Rogers uses for analog cable packages). The ONLY practically I could MAYBE see someone in the Golden Horseshoe doing that for is if they were close enough to Buffalo and wanted to try and hit Rochester, they could get a filter specifically for the 47-63 range... of course this would mean they wouldn't be able to get CityTV (but odds are, if you are trying to get a constant signal from Rochester, you are so far away from CityTV that you aren't getting their small 1.2kW signal anyways) and would forego a constant signal Fox and PBS from Rochester in the process...

Just had to throw one of those 'in theory' scenarios out there...

Daniel,

Was over at FCCInfo.com doing some searching, some things I found that may be interesting

1. Did WHEC go full power?
2. Do a search for WPXJ and you will see the proposed directionalty for the -DT transmission (something too add to the front page)... Looks like no action on this channel going live anytime soon, although Paxton transfered control of the station over to CIG Media LLC on 12/31...
3. WNGS also has directionalty posted on that site... no news on this front either...

Quickly, can we just go over the -DT rules for -LP and -CA stations... I was looking at the Rochester section and they have WGBT-CA but I couldn't find any -DT information on that station (but I am almost positive the rules are different that for those stations that are -TV)...

One last thing as you update the chart, WNYB got permission to revert to 26 on the analog shutdown...

I have to agree with Daniel: A rotor is the best way to go. Opt for the Channel Master with the remote. If you have Bell Express Vu or Dish Network you can program their remote to work your rotor.

WPXJ Channel 51 is part of the ION television newtork. For a breif time the were just called "I" as in indepepndent.

I fired a letter off to WUTV today to ask them a couple of things. One was if they will stay on Channel 14 after "The Big Day" or will they go back to Channel 29. There was no guarantee I'd get a respone if I emailed them, that's why I went the old fashoined route. I'll let you know what they say when I get a response.

Until then Hi-Def fans!

keaster2000

Like the Channel Chart says, and as can be seen on the FCC website, they wanted to revert to 29, but were denied and will be staying on 14

I wouldn't bend that CM4228 antenna because distorting the pattern like that is sure to create some nulls. And I almost hate to say it, but I've seen it for sale for less than half that price.

Did a test with the Indoor unamplified Terk.
Outside off my deck about 14' high.

I am located in the south west corner of Brantford, off #53 halfway between Hamilton and Woodstock, a relatively low area.
Tried 60 degrees to Toronto and 120 degrees to buffalo, I did this to see what stations I might be able to get. I have a new sharp 42” with a digital tuner.
I get these analog stations viewable, some great, some with light snow. Looking up their locations I assume this is where they are coming from.
6 –out of I assume Paris
9-CFTO
11- CHCH out of Hamilton
13 – CKCO out of Kitchener
28 –CICO out of Kitchener
17 -wned
31 –CKCK out of Woodstock
36 – CITS out of Hamilton
56 –CBLN out of Kitchener (not real great)

I finnally got a single digital lock on 36.1

I could finally make out 2, 4, 7, and fox on 29, not really viewable but could tell what was there and make out the station logos.

I can get a signal on these stations, (If I mannually enter the numbers) mostly fading in and out, black and white to color, audio in and out as well, lots of snow, not really viewable at all but you can tell there is a signal there.
2,4, 7, 9, 11, 17(wned), 23, 25, 29, 41, 47, 57,

I cannot put up a tower, but I am willing to put up on a roof tripod (about 15-18’ high) or off a wall mount, a CM 4228. and a 7777 Pre amp. I may consider an internal attic option as well –If I have enough signal??(probably not!)
I really do want to bring in the Buffalo major networks, especially on the uhf digital.

Here’s my question.
Am I wasting my time? $250 outlay is OK for me, provided that it will work, but I do not want to waist my money.
Any input apreciated.

Hi rifraf;

If you're debating on whether a tripod on your roof is worthwhile, consider something like a CM3671 or CM3679 on top of it. These antennas--with a rotor will probably get you a much stronger signal than what you're getting now. True the pre amp helps and you may notice a much better signal with it used in conjunction with an antenna like these ones.

With the CM3671 which is similar to what I have, I can get 31 Woodstock (which is CITY-TV) and 56 CBLN on a good night. I always get CICO 28, CKCO 13, CIII 6, from Kitchener and Paris, respectively and I'm in St. Catharines. I have caught stations from Detroit and Watertown--but only on a good clear summer night.

From Brantford with that size of antenna on your you might get Buffalo, and possibly Erie.

I found a lot of good info at: www.channelmaster.com

Bottom line: I'd say spend the money--get the tripod antenna and rotor. From the prices I've seen in US dollars you'd probably spend about $250.--maybe less, but consider this:

You can't get Buffalo HD and only some Toronto HD on cable and Satellite, the antenna is maintenance free for years, and if your neighbours ask why you're taking a giant step back in time by putting an antenna on your roof you just tell them you're getting FREE HDTV!

Hope this info helps

keaster2000
a.k.a airwavedave

It looks like both antennas are VHF/UHF and as such are much heavier, more expensive and harder to install.
VHF band will cease to exist in US in less than 1 year and soon to follow in Canada.
Accordingly UHF-only type of antenna makes great choice, being optimized for digital TV UHF band and easier to install higher.
Rifraf's problem is likely low elevation-Grand River Valley about 195m with some terrain being about 30m higher. Good pre-amplified multi-element UHF-only antenna would be the best guess.

My thoughts on tripods are make sure you have a VERY GOOD grounding system, complete with a nice thick ground wire down the side of the house to a 10ft rod in the ground. A house in our neighborhood was gutted 3 years ago by fire because lightning struck the satellite dish mounted on the peak of the roof and it went through all the house wiring looking for a ground. So it does happen and I've seen the results myself. If there were a grounding system as above, its not likely the house would've burned.

Hi, thanks for your advice and help guys
I picked up a 4228 and a 7777 amp.
results off a 8' deck out back pointed to the cities Toronto and Grand Island NY, Buffalo and kitchener, I have a a good clear shot at everything except Kit.

Analog
6- ok but fuzzy
9- ok but fuzzy
11 -perfect
13 -good
17 -good
19 -ok but fuzzy
23 -good
25 -not good
26 -not so good
29 -ok but fuzzy
31 -great
36 -perfect
40 -not good
41 -not good
47 -not good
56 -ok but fuzzy
61 -not good

Digital locks on
15.1 Great 40%
23.1 Great to so-so 39%
36.1 Great 60%
43.1,2,3 Great 45-55%
I am inpressed with the quality of WNED, shaper than ANYTHING on rogers-- that I hope to cancel soon.

Pre-amp definatly helps as I get no real good signals without it. Thats it so far, I have tried at 8' off bare ground and at about 13' (from ground) off a second story deck but have the aluminum eve to contend with. About the same results anywise.
When it gets warmer I hope to put it above the eve with a rotator about 25' from ground.
I still want to pull in the ABC, NBC and CBS from buffalo, not sure at this stage if it wil be possible.

Has anyone noticed WKBW, WNGS and WCSN are not on the air? I tuned into "Channel 7" Friday evening around 7:30 and I got no signal. I had to watch the analog signal of WKBW.

All the other Buffalo stations seemed to come in fine, I'm guessing it's weather related