Update for Canada

[downbeat]

Just thought I'd pass along a number of changes in Canada you might be interested in. These are all in the Industry Canada database.

For your list of current stations:

CKAL-DT Calgary (Ch. 49).


For your list of pending stations:

Approved DTV stations yet to come on the air

CFCN-DT(1) (Ch. 29) Calgary: Channel change and power increase.
CFEM-DT-1 (Ch. 20) Val D'Or
CFVS-DT-1 (Ch. 10) Rouyn-Noranda
CKRT-DT (Ch. 7) Rivière-du-Loup


Technical changes to existing DTV stations

CIVT-DT (Ch. 32) Vancouver — higher ERP for post-transition
CHAN-DT (Ch. 22) Vancouver — application to stay on Ch. 22 and use higher ERP for post-transition


Applications for new DTV stations to come on the air ASAP

CBRT-DT (Ch. 21) Calgary
CHNM-DT-1 (Ch. 29) Victoria


Applications for DTV stations to come on the air as of Aug. 31, 2011

CIHF-DT (Ch. 8) Halifax
CKMI-1-DT (Ch. 15) Montreal


Applications for analog stations to come on the air as of Aug. 31, 2011

CHWI-60 (Ch. 26) Windsor, Ont.


P.S. There are also plenty of DTV stations that are being rubber-stamped by the CRTC without public announcement. They are routinely added to the Industry Canada without notice.

[FreeJAC]

downbeat,

Any update to this?

Applications for DTV stations to come on the air after Aug. 31, 2011

# CJOH-DT (Ch. 13) Ottawa
# CFRN-DT Edmonton (Ch. 12)

I'm assuming based on the comments that were recently made by our industry minister that these requests would be denied?

I find this upsetting that CTV isn't getting their butts in gear in some demographics ,whereas in others like in Calgary, they were up and running first! :mad:

[downbeat]

Don't assume there's any nefarious going on.
A lot of the DTV changeover dates are governed by simple technical and infrastructure problems.
For CJOH and CFCF, for example, those stations are re-using their current analog channels for their new digital services. Obviously, digital and analog can't both be on at once on the same channel, and it's likely not economically feasible anymore for those stations to operate another station in digital alongside their main operations during what's left of the transition period.
I don't know what's the hold up in Edmonton. Maybe it has something to do with CFRN (12) and CITV (13) ending up on neighbouring channels.
In Calgary, CTV, Global and Citytv need to move to UHF permanently, so it makes sense for those stations to get a head start and switch ASAP.

P.S. If you read my earlier reply, my apologies — I misunderstood the question. That improper response has been removed.

[downbeat]

Télé-Québec confirmed in a news release its station CIVQ-DT Quebec City has come on the air. If you can read French:
http://www.telequebec.tv/communiques/?id=159

Here's CIVQ-DT's IC database excerpt:
Québec / AU / 25 / CIVQ-DT / R-QF / 464827 lat / 711300 long / 153.0 metres / 9300 watts / 536.00 MHz

[tvlurker]

downbeat,

Any update to this?

Applications for DTV stations to come on the air after Aug. 31, 2011

# CJOH-DT (Ch. 13) Ottawa
# CFRN-DT Edmonton (Ch. 12)

I'm assuming based on the comments that were recently made by our industry minister that these requests would be denied?


I'm not sure what you mean by this. CTV is applying to flash cut CJOH on ch. 13. Why should it be denied? (Personally, I'd rather see CJOH at 30 or 40 kW instead of 20, but I understand there could be coordination issues with the FCC wrt WVNY on ch 13 in Burlington. In any case, it beats the lower power that they were originally allocated in the post-transition plan.)

[FreeJAC]

[QUOTE=FreeJAC;1860]downbeat,

Any update to this?

Applications for DTV stations to come on the air after Aug. 31, 2011

# CJOH-DT (Ch. 13) Ottawa
# CFRN-DT Edmonton (Ch. 12)

I'm assuming based on the comments that were recently made by our industry minister that these requests would be denied?
QUOTE]

I'm not sure what you mean by this. CTV is applying to flash cut CJOH on ch. 13. Why should it be denied? (Personally, I'd rather see CJOH at 30 or 40 kW instead of 20, but I understand there could be coordination issues with the FCC wrt WVNY on ch 13 in Burlington. In any case, it beats the lower power that they were originally allocated in the post-transition plan.)

According to downbeats post CJOH and CFRN have applied to extend passed the AUG 31 2011 digital cut over drop dead date. (or at least that is how I read it) To me this means they are trying to continue to operate in Analog passed Aug 2011. This is what I feel will be denied.

I am frustrated that CFRN in Edmonton is taking so long. Who knows what the hold up is, all I know is I e-mailed them and asked a number of months ago and they said it wouldn't be operational until 2011 so the hold up issues have been on going for quite a while.

[FreeJAC]

DOWNBEAT - P.S. If you read my earlier reply, my apologies — I misunderstood the question. That improper response has been removed.

No I didn't so all good.

[tvlurker]

[QUOTE=tvlurker;1899]

According to downbeats post CJOH and CFRN have applied to extend passed the AUG 31 2011 digital cut over drop dead date.

I believe downbeat had a typo in his original post. CTV quite clearly states:
The transmitter for CJOH-TV Ottawa will be switched to digital over-the-air
operation on August 31, 2011. This same date will apply to CFCF-TV Montreal,
CFTO-TV Toronto, CFCN-TV Calgary, CFRN-TV Edmonton and CIVT-TV
Vancouver.

[downbeat]

Sorry, that was a typo on my part. That header should read AS OF August 31, 2011, not AFTER. It's been fixed.

[Billsmith]

FreeJAC - Yes - in the case of CFRN-DT Edmonton they need to remove half of the Channel 3 VHF Lo antenna from the top part of the mast in order to install the channel 12/13 multi bay Hi band antenna! The ERP of the Channel 3 analog service was 609 Kw. I have seen the antennas and the arrays are massive, so removing the top stack is a major piece of work at a great height!
Also I believe that CITV is sharing the new antenna and so they will suffer a similar delay before going on air. This will involve periods of Channel 3 shutting down/going to low power in order to allow the work to take place without harming the contractors. A large undertaking to say the least! I don't know exactly what the time frame is but will attempt to find out.
The transmitter site is called "Big Looma" apparently ;)

[FreeJAC]

Thanks. That makes me feel a little better, understanding the work that is required to get the job done. How does the situation in Calgary compare?

[tvlurker]

FreeJAC - Yes - in the case of CFRN-DT Edmonton they need to remove half of the Channel 3 VHF Lo antenna from the top part of the mast in order to install the channel 12/13 multi bay Hi band antenna! The ERP of the Channel 3 analog service was 609 Kw. I have seen the antennas and the arrays are massive, so removing the top stack is a major piece of work at a great height!)

What becomes of the lower half of the Channel 3 antenna? (and the old channel 13 antenna, as well?)

[Billsmith]

I would think that the lower stack on channel 3 will continue in operation until Aug 31 2011 when it will be dismantled. I imagine that the power is about 50% of the original ERP 300 Kw at a lower EHAAT (a fraction of it's former glory). The old Hi band stack will also be removed after the switchover date I would think, unless it can be used as a backup antenna? The Channel 3 transmitter is a Larcan 30 Kw M series unit the same that Calgary is using at present on Channel 2 but they had a whopping antenna gain when both stacks were in use.

In Calgary. a new stayed mast has been erected by Harvard broadcasting for their FM use on the Global TV site but it also was fitted with UHF panel antennas on-top 378 Meters EHAAT. The old original Channel 2 mast was becoming dangerous as it suffered various effects due to stress possibly caused by weather conditions and so it has been taken down. The new CICT-DT transmitter on channel 41 should be on the air any time now! Rogers is also sharing the new installation with it's CityTv and Omni channels. CFCN already have a new UHF stack on the top of their newer tower (2001) and have received CRTC approval for their 10 Kw transmitter producing 220 Kw ERP on Channel 29. I am waiting for a timeframe for their switch-on. :)

[FreeJAC]

CKEM-DT in Edmonton seems to be operational as of today. :D It looks real good too.

downbeat you can update your OP

[Billsmith]

I see that someone received a reply from CFRN as quoted below:-

We are currently completing upgrades to our main tower. Equipment will be ordered in the next few months, then installation after that. We are still looking at next May. When we do cut over, analog will be gone and we will only be broadcasting DTV over the air.

So it seems that Channel 3 is going QRT (off the air for good) when the DTV transmitter is ready for service!

[FreeJAC]

Excellent! It can't come soon enough!

[Billsmith]

Since my earlier postings - I have to make the following corrections.

1. CFRN will continue broadcasting on Channel 3 until Aug 31 2011.

2. The new CFRN-DT will come on next year on Channel 12 as was said.

3. The Channel 3 CFRN transmitter is an old RCA tube unit.

4. It is CITV that is using the Larcan M series unit on Channel 13.
The same transmiitter as used in Calgary on Channel 2.


Sorry for the errors - these were pointed out to me by a Global broadcast engineer!

[downbeat]

Updated original post to include technical change for CICT-DT Calgary coming into effect.

[frank]

Updated original post to include technical change for CICT-DT Calgary coming into effect.

So far, since the CICT transmitter site has moved, I get zero signal. Cannot get confirmation if they are actually transmitting on channel 41. The previous site provided an excellent signal.

[Billsmith]

frank - the reception really depends exactly on where you are located in the city - but the new permanent signal is generally much stronger than the previous temporary one. You may need to move your antenna or relocate it to your loft or roof. You may want to do some testing for the signal which is very location dependant. The new transmitter power (ERP) is 50,000 watts compared to 3,500 watts previously. It now covers about 4 times the population and has even been received in Red Deer.

[frank]

Thanks for the information Bill. I obviously have a problem. I am 7.1 mi from the transmitter, and a heading of 235. Technically I am line of sight to the new tower, but
I have a neighbor's stucco (wire mesh) house exactly between me and the tower. I would have expected some diffraction off the mesh edges, or over the top, but nothing is getting through. I can relocate the antenna, but then it places the same house between me and CFCN. I guess my only option is to use two antennas, or place the
antenna above the stucco top. I am in Edgemont near the Shaganappin/Edgemont Blvd intersection.

[Billsmith]

I am hearing that it is being discussed that CBRT-DT HD will be comming over the air possibly and provisionally on Channel 52 before Xmas and that it is being considered to place the new service on Channel 16 (replacing the present French service) at higher power at the switchover date August 31st 2011.

[frank]

Glad to hear we are getting another digital signal in Calgary. I relocated my antenna to the front, in the garage attic, and now get better than a 20db S/N ration on both active digital transponders -- at the end of about 80 ft of RG6, and a passive 3db splitter. I was surprised that a neighbors, wire mesh, stucco could totally block a 50kW signal from 7.1 mi.

[Billsmith]

frank,

Glad to hear that you found a solution to the CICT-DT reception shielding.
Yes - UHF frequencies are remarkably sensitive to localized effects caused by objects and topography. That's why I would always recommend an outdoors antenna in order to avoid effects due to movement of people etc. in the local vacinity of the antenna's reception path.

You may also be interested to know that CityTv (CKAL-DT) have their 100Kw ERP transmitter set up and ready to go on Channel 49. They're waiting on CRTC approval in order to switch it on. It will be using the same panel antenna array as Global CICT-DT so if you receive Global well, then you should also receive CityTv well but the proof of the taste of the pudding is always in the eating - Wot? :)

[frank]

Thanks for the info Bill. I will keep an eye out for Channel 49 and 52.

[Billsmith]

CityTv (CKAL-DT) have now received CRTC approval and should be ready to go with some testing very soon as their 100Kw ERP transmitter set up and ready to go on Channel 49. It is using the same panel antenna array as Global CICT-DT so if you receive Global well, then you should also receive CityTv equally well or better at double the ERP.

[downbeat]

I've amended my original post to make light of the following changes:
• The Industry Canada database has been amended to show CICT-DT Calgary's current status as OP.
• CKEM-DT Calgary has been approved by the CRTC.
• CFCN-DT Calgary's technical changes have been approved by the CRTC.

[Billsmith]

Just received a communication from CFCN. Looks like their Post-transition service install for Channle 29 will be a fall project so no point in scanning the UHF band looking for it just yet! ;)

[mtownsend]

Thanks everyone for all the updates!

We've tried to capture all the changes mentioned here. Stations that are missing from the Industry Canada database have not been added since we don't have all of the technical specs (e.g., antenna pattern, height AGL, ERP, etc.) to provide an accurate propagation model.

Some of the post-transition transmitter info can only be seen in the "pending" results.

FYI, these changes should take effect immediately on any newly generated reports.

[frank]

CityTv (CKAL-DT) have now received CRTC approval and should be ready to go with some testing very soon as their 100Kw ERP transmitter set up and ready to go on Channel 49. It is using the same panel antenna array as Global CICT-DT so if you receive Global well, then you should also receive CityTv equally well or better at double the ERP.

CKAL is now on:
Signal strength 98
SNR 30 db
AGC 21

Virtual channel not detected; comes up as channel 49.1

[Billsmith]

Great - thanks for the confirmation on CKAL-DT - frank. During the next 3 months I expect to find CBRT-DT testing but first - the frequency and ERP should be released!

[Billsmith]

Here it is folks! CBC have now made a request to operate a DTV transmitter on channel 21 at a Max ERP of 23,500 Watts at an EHAAT of 276.3 meters.

http://www.crtc.gc.ca/eng/archive/2010/2010-669.htm

[downbeat]

Updated original post to remove stations that now appear in TV Fool's database.
Also added a few recent CRTC applications for DTV — and even one for analog TV!

[Billsmith]

The following EHAAT 378 Meters applies to the following digital services:-

CICT-DT - ERP 50,000 Watts Channel 41
CKAL-DT - ERP 100,000 Watts Channel 49

The following EHAAT 371 Meters applies to the following digital service:-

CJCO-DT - ERP 25,000 Watts Channel 38 (Approved by CRTC but not in service until next year)

[udagawa]

I want to please make information of Northern Canada (Yukon, NWT and Nunabut).

[Billsmith]

Well folks - looks like it may be worth scanning for Channel 21 beginning 18th or 21st of this month! The HD microwave STL is now commissionned and the transmitter is expected to arrive at the end of this week! Please report any findings! Tks!

[mtownsend]

I want to please make information of Northern Canada (Yukon, NWT and Nunabut).

I believe this should be working now. If you have any problems getting this to work, please let us know.

[mtownsend]

looks like it may be worth scanning for Channel 21 beginning 18th or 21st of this month!

If you detect this transmitter on the air, then let us know so that we can move the transmitter from the "pending" category into the "current" database.

[Billsmith]

[QUOTE] If you detect this transmitter on the air, then let us know so that we can move the transmitter from the "pending" category into the "current" database. /[QUOTE]

Both CBRT-DT and CBXT-DT are now on the air and have been received in many locations! Their full service began today!

[Billsmith]

Looks like Channel 29 is finally on the air with increased power - at last! I'm not sure if it is at full power yet but it is definitely on the Air!! Infact both channel 29 (virtual 4.1) and 36 (Virtual 36.1) are on the air together!

[downbeat]

It looks like the newest set of Canadian database entries have still not generated any coverage maps on the site …
It's been a few weeks now so I just thought I should let someone know. :)

[Billsmith]

A recent CBC application for increased parameters has been observed on the CRTC website for 507Kw ERP Max @ an EHAAT of 350.8 Meters. It seems that the CBC is attempting to duplicate the former Channel 9 analog coverage


https://services.crtc.gc.ca/pub/DocWebBroker/OpenDocument.aspx?AppNo=201205972

[Emarsee]

All CBC/SRC non-originating stations have been shut down.

In addition, TVO has shut down all of their analog transmitters.

[andre8998]

At least 3 digital TV frequencies are missing around Rimouski in TVFool database. They are in the Industry Canada database since more than a year.
Also there are some mistakes for Quebec city, SRC and TQ both on 25.1 and maybe I don't understand well the "virtual" channels, many do not fit according to my TV.
Is there something more I can do ?
I love TVFool for the easiness of finding informations.
Thanks, Andre

[Billsmith]

The new date for antenna installation is March this year and the service is expected to begin around April 1st (not a joke). New parameters as the previous post. (ERP 507 Kw. EHAAT 350.8 Meters). This should result in much improved reception inside and outside the Calgary area. :)

[Billsmith]

The new high power signal introduction will be delayed until June due to changes in planning for the project. Test transmissions at reduced power
are expected to begin at the beginning of June with a full service established by the end of June 2013. It will be interesting to see what the final service parameters will be. In any event, I expect that there will be a substantial improvement in reception for the Calgary area!:)

[Billsmith]

The additions to the CBC tower at their Bowness transmitter site are now almost completed - the new ERP is expected to be 407 Kw omni directional with the new antenna mounted at 347 meters EHAAT. The new service is expected to begin very soon.:)