Newbie in Alberta

[GoHardrGoHome]

I just heard about getting HDTV with antenna! What a great concept. I wonder if anyone has tried this around Red Deer, Alberta. If so, can you relay your experience with this?
I'd like to cancel my cable subscription that just seems to going higher and higher.

thanks, RW

[Jake V]

The TVFool database for Red Deer shows three channels (two analog and one pending digital). A look up at Yahoo shows you might have a few more possibilities: CFRN (CTV), CKEM (City) and CITV (Global) and CBXT (CBC) and CBXFT (CBC). I know the Canadian database is not always up to the minute.

So there are possibilities, and the transmitters appear to be to the east of Red Deer.

But you'd need to post a TV Fool Report for anyone to make recommendations regarding an antenna.

Go to: http://www.tvfool.com/index.php?opti...pper&Itemid=90

1. Enter your address and click "Map This".
2. At top right click on "Satellite".
3. Use the zoom feature and move the balloon pointer so that it is over your house.
4. For "Display Options" choose "Both".
5. Set the height of the possible antenna (just below the map).
6. Click "Make Radar Plot".
7. A new window will open with a radar plot. Copy the full link of that page and paste into a post here.



CFRN-TV-6 8 (CTV)
CBXT-13 22 (CBC)
CITV-DT-1 (10.1 Global) DTV
CKEM-TV-1 4 (City)

[GoHardrGoHome]

Well, if I followed your instructions correctly, here is the link;
http://www.tvfool.com/?option=com_wr...e1c6dc19151402

I don't know how to read the results of this. Does it mean I could get good reception with (?) number of channels?

[StephanieS]

Greetings,

This TVfool report isn't the most favorable, listing only two channels. Wikipedia reports a third available. Here's Wikipedia's info on Red Deer TV broadcasts:

Red Deer 4 CKEM-TV-1 Citytv
Red Deer 8 CFRN-TV-6 CTV satellite of CFRN-DT Edmonton
Red Deer 10 28 10.1 CITV-TV-1 Global

So, if you take the TVfool map, you have a nice signal on two VHF signals. If you go by Wikipedia, you have three. You'll notice one signal is low VHF while two are high-VHF. This would behoove you to purchase an VHF dual band antenna or a VHF all band/UHF combo antenna. The UHF combo would be advantageous if a future UHF signal comes on the air, you are already prepared for it.

That being said, if I were you, the best option here is to put something in the air if you are happy with Global, CTV and City TV as your reception possibilities. CKEM and CFRN are providing plenty of signal for potentially successful reception.

Suggestion: Antennacraft Colorstar C290 http://www.antennacraft.net/Antennas...llChannel.html Orientate antenna to about magnetic 90 degrees.

How many TVs do you wish to serve? How long would your coax run be?

Cheers.

[GoHardrGoHome]

Sorry for the late response.
So by what you are saying, I would get only 2 or 3 channels??
Is there any way to improve this?
1 TV with about 25' of cable

[StephanieS]

This TVfool report strongly indicates reception of two channels is the likely outcome. I've read though that the Canadian TVfool database of broadcasts isn't as current as the US one. This is why the Wiki listing of Red Deer Stations maybe accurate with channel 10.

Further, your location can have some benefit. If you are on a hillside with a great unobstructed view to the northwest you may luck out with a couple of Edmonton signals. However, you wouldn't be gaining any extra networks. Just duplicating what is rebroadcast in Red Deer.

The UHF signals from Edmonton are down in the -20 db area. These signals won't be received reliably. UHF due to its shorter wavelength and less tolerance for geography than VHF doesn't do much farther than 70 miles. At 85 miles plus through geography, any attempt for Edmonton would require a tower, ultra gain system and likely a hillside location with a open view of the northeast - and thousands of dollars to purchase and install. Even then, the results maybe unreliable.

So, the upshot is there isn't much you can do. The Canadian Government seems to think a city with a population 100,000 isn't worth more than 3 stations that are rebroadcasts from Edmonton and also isn't a market that has been mandated to convert their broadcasts to digital.

It's astonishing that Red Deer for a city its size is so underserved either by local stations or translators.

In the United States, many commmunities 1/4 of Red Deer's population that are terrain or distance shielded get "fill in" coverage from translators of the major networks so over the air broadcasts are accessible. Many of the Salt Lake City, UT broadcasters have extensive translator networks to provide coverage to communities across the state, for example.

The upshot, if you do put an antenna up, it'll be easy reception. Just the results will be disappointing due to politics.

This leads us to another potential dealbreaker - two of the three Red Deer rebroadcasts of Edmonton signals, according to Wikipedia are ANALOG. So, if you are wanting high definition, this may be an unpleasant surprise.

Best of luck in whatever you do. Sounds like the cable TV provider in Red Deer though is much safer from cord cutting than in other Canadian cities....

Originally Posted by GoHardrGoHome

Sorry for the late response.
So by what you are saying, I would get only 2 or 3 channels??
Is there any way to improve this?
1 TV with about 25' of cable

[GoHardrGoHome]

Too bad! I was really hoping you would tell me that I'd be getting good reception from at least 5 or 6 channels so I could Cut The Cord
I guess I'll probably wait until there is better service in the future. I agree... the local providers have a monopoly on the service.
Stephanie, thanks for all your help in providing information to help me understand how the system works. I'll be keeping tabs on this forum to keep learning so that one day I may have the option to Cut The Cord

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Please do not give up.

To see if signal strengths improve and more Broadcast Tv stations are receivable with higher antenna heights above ground.

Please make and post 2 more tvfool reports with antenna heights of , 40 feet

60 feet above ground.

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And here is a way to Receive More Tv Networks for Free.

A Small KU Band satellite dish and receiver.

Known as , FTA-ST = Free To Air-Satellite Tv. Or FTA .

Here is a place to start to learn more.

http://www.ftalist.com.

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Here is , Satellite Receiver and Small KU Band Satellite Dish.

http://www.manhattan-digital.net.

Here are some more places to collect more information about FTA-ST , aka , FTA and buy equipment.

http://www.saveandreplay.com.


http://www.trentondistributors.com.


FTA-ST , has All the USA , PBS Networks to receive for free.

And other Tv Networks to receive for free.

[GoHardrGoHome]

40 ft. antenna; http://www.tvfool.com/?option=com_wr...e1c6484569a117
60 ft. antenna; http://www.tvfool.com/?option=com_wr...e1c6cd032b3b1e

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As time goes by , More Broadcast Tv Stations and Channels will most likely be added for reception at Red Deer.

For reception of the Local Tv stations/channels , tvfool shows a mix of Digital and Analog Tv Stations/Channels.

Install a.

http://www.antennacraft.net.

AC9 All Channel Antenna.

Install the AC9 antenna above the Peak of the Roof about 25 feet above ground in such a manner the reception is not , obstructed , impeded , blocked , by the , attic , roof , building , in the direction of , East.

Aim the AC9 antenna at about 90 degree magnetic compass direction.

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Here is how to aim antennas.

http://www.kyes.com/antenna/pointing/pointing.html.

Use a Real and Actual magnetic compass to aim antenna , do not trust a , cell phone , tablet and etc. compass.

Most Digital Tv's have a Signal Strength Meter and some Digital Tv's also have a Signal Quality Meter.

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A antenna system amplifier is not required.

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Here are some above the roof antenna mounts.

http://www.ronard.com/909911.html. Install the , ronard(911) , 5 foot tripod antenna mount.

http://www.ronard.com/34424560.html. Use the , ronard(4560) , eave antenna mount.

http://www.ronard.com/ychim.html. Measure around the chimney and use a , ronard(2212) , ronard(2218) , ronard(2224) .

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It will be interesting to receive and monitor and be involved in the Broadcast Tv situation.

A coax can be run to a Tv to 'Monitor' the situation.

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The Tv will need to channel scan for , NTSC Analog and ATSC Digital Broadcast Tv Stations/Channels.

DO NOT Channel Scan For Cable Tv Channels.

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Here is a article about the situation that Canada is in with Broadcast Tv.

http://www.tvtechnology.com/feature-...-track/206775..

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As in the USA , the Free Broadcast Tv Stations/Channels , The frequency spectrum that is , UHF channels 69 thru 52 , are removed from Tv service and sold to the Cell Phone and Wireless Internet businesses.

The Canada government made Billions of dollars on the sale and did not provide even one penny to the Tv stations / broadcasters.

In the USA the Tv stations/broadcasters received a slice of the Billions dollars Pie.

I am aware of what is happening in Canada , many Carpet Baggers in Canada.

A lot of corruption in the USA and many receive a slice of the corrupt pie.

The many does not include me.

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Not all is bad with the Canada Broadcast Tv Situation.

The Big Cities of Canada along the Canada-USA border have Many Canada Digital Broadcast Tv Stations/Channels and also USA Digital Broadcast Tv Stations/Channels to receive.

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At your location , If you will like to Test for reception of , CBRT , Real UHF channel 21 , CBC .

CBRT UHF channel 21 is a Digital Broadcast Tv Station/Channel.

At about 40 feet above ground , install a , Antennas Direct , DB8e , UHF channels 14 thru 51 antenna.

With a , http://www.antennacraft.net.

10G201 preamplifier.


Aim the DB8e , UHF antenna at about 175 degree magnetic compass direction.


As a Test of reception run the coax through a open door or window direct to 1 Tv.