need help with purchasing an antenna

[humper]

Hi there,

Looking for some help, I really have no idea what I'm doing.

I live on the 12th floor (approx 120ft) above ground. I face south.

Here is my TV Fool Report

Here is my Interactive Map Report as well.

I'm looking to pick up as many channels as I can. I know Toronto won't be possible. I am able to mount an outdoor antenna on my balcony and run a coax inside to the TV. I have two TV's that I'd like to have connected (if possible).

If there is information I haven't provided please let me know.

Thank you!!

Aim a Antennas Direct Clear Stream 2 V Complete UHF/VHF antenna at about 185 degree magnetic compass direction.

http://www.antennasdirect.com/store/...VHF-Combo.html.

Here is how to aim antennas , http://www.kyes.com/antenna/pointing/pointing.html.

For 1 Tv connected use No splitter. No amplifier.

For 2 Tv's connected use a simple common 2 way splitter. No amplifier.

Looking at the tvfool Current Plus Pending Applications Included Digital channel list.

The Digital Tv stations/channels down to and including.

CITY-DT UHF channel 31 , CITY TV , should be received with 2 Tv's connected.

If not , then install a Channel Master CM3410 distribution amplifier before the splitter.

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Here are some places to buy antennas and etc. , http://www.saveandreplay.com , http://www.trentondistributors.com , http://www.channelmasterstore.com
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If you will like to Experiment with reception of the USA Digital Tv stations.

Then aim the CS2v Complete at about 130 degree magnetic compass direction.

WNLO-DT REAL UHF Digital channel 32 , virtual number (23.1) The CW.

WNYB-DT REAL UHF Digital channel 26 , virtual number (26.1) IND.

WIVB-DT REAL UHF Digital channel 39 , virtual number (4.1) CBS.

WNED-DT REAL UHF Digital channel 43 , virtual number (17.1) PBS.

WKBW-DT REAL UHF Digital channel 38 , virtual number (7.1) ABC.

The CM3410 distribution amplifier might help with reception of the USA Digital Tv stations/channels.

Most likely , the same Canada Digital Tv stations/channels will be received with antenna aimed at 130 degree as with the antenna aimed at 185 degree.

And perhaps with the CS2v Complete antenna aimed at about 130 degree or so , might even pick up the CBC Digital Tv station/channel , CBLT-DT UHF channel 20 , at 85 degree magnetic compass direction.

The antenna aiming is Experimental to find the best reception.

Most Digital Tv's have a signal strength meter , and some digital tv's have a signal quality meter.

The Tv's Must Channel Scan for the Digital Broadcast Tv channels , often named the 'Air Channels' or 'Antenna Channels' in the Tv setup menu because the Tv transmissions travel through the air from the transmitting antenna to the receiving antenna.

Some Digital Tv's will automatic channel scan for cable tv channels.

DO NOT channel scan for cable tv channels.

Go into the Tv setup menu and select , 'Air Channels' / 'Antenna Channels'.

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Digital Tv tuners can develop - Digital Glitches - that are not cleared out with simple channel scans.

It can help to Double Channel scan.

http://www.dtv.gov/rescan.html.

[humper]

Hi teleview,

Thanks for your quick response.

I just wanted to confirm the model number of the Channel Master CM3212. I looked this up on Channel Masters website and they say its a splitter not a distribution amplifier. Did you mean something else?

Thanks again

Yes , thanks , I have corrected the typo to say CM3410. Distribution amplifier.

OK I got it correct now.

The Distribution amplifier is one input and one output.

Round and round , I have the correct model number in my head and type something else.

The correct is CM3410 distribution amplifier. One input and one output , that way can be used with splitter or no splitter.

More flexibility that way.

[ADTech]

CM3212=2-port splitter
CM3412=2-port distribution amplifier

[humper]

Hi,

So this weekend I installed the Clearstream C2V Complete on the 12th floor of my building, against a concrete wall using the 20" J mount mast and bracket. I have pointed it at 130 degrees magnetic compass direction. I installed the Channel Master CM3410. I'm using the 30ft of coax that comes with the C2V. There is one TV connected, and no splitters.

This weekend the weather was sunny above 0 degree weather, and I was able to receive the following channels:

Perfect Reception:
31.1
35.1
36.1
4.1 (CBS)
6.1
11.1
13.1
26.1
28.1

Moderate Reception:
23.1 (CW) - Comes in fairly well, but a fair amount of artifacts

Weak Reception (comes in/out):
7.1 (ABC) - this one is in and out a lot depending on weather
49.1 (MyN) - I haven't received reception on this channel since Sunday
2.1 (NBC) - this one is TROPO and I haven't gotten reception since Sunday

No broadcast:
29.1 (FOX)
17.1 (PBS)

The weather seems to play a big factor in reception. The last couple days have been overcast with some snow.

My question is, can I improve reception for the US stations (23.1, 17.1, 29.1, 7.1, 2.1) in anyway? A preamp or another antenna?

You can try a Channel Master CM4228HD antenna to reach out for those USA Tv stations.

The CM4228HD will not be connected to the CS2V antenna.

Yes the CM3410 can be connected to the CM4228HD antenna.

Or you can get on the pre order list for the New Antennas Direct DB8e , at http://www.saveandreplay.com

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It is interesting , the reception of those loooong distance Digital Tv channels.

CBS on REAL UHF channel 39 is being received Ok but the CW on Real UHF channel 32 is not.

You might pick up WNED Real UHF channel 43 PBS.

And WKBW Real UHF channel 38 ABC.

However WUTV Real UHF channel 14 FOX and WGRZ Real UHF channel 33 NBC , will most likely not be received reliably.

Any Tv stations with less signal strength then WGRZ NBC will not be received at all or only very rare reception situations.

It is fun to try for and get those loooong distance Tv stations.

The antenna aiming and location is Experimental.

Moving the antenna to different locations and changing the aim of the antenna can help reception.

A higher gain amplifier will most likely not help with reception , will most likely overload the Tv tuner with strong signal reflections (multipath) be picked up from the buildings.

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If you will like to receive All the USA PBS channels and some other channels for Free , you can go with FTA = Free To Air small dish satellite Tv.

A good place to start with FTA is , http://www.ftalist.com.

http://www.saveandreplay.com , has FTA receivers and motorized small dish.

[humper]

So you're saying have two antennas? Or could I pick up both the Canadian channels and USA channels better with the Channel Master 4228HD?

Disconnect and remove the CS2V.

I am saying 1 antenna connected at a time.

The CM4228HD or the DB8e.

The CM4228HD is a bigger antenna and as such , receives more signal.

The DB8e is a bigger antenna and as such , receives more signal.

You can use the CM4228HD or DB8e to try for better reception of the USA Tv stations.

Remember to rescan for channels.

Like the CS2V , The CM4228HD and DB8e will also receive the Canada Tv stations.

I did not recommend the CM4228HD and DB8e to start with because the antennas are big antennas.

((Many people have the mind set that Tv antennas are Evil , so a Small Antenna is a Lesser Evil , and some how the lesser evil can be hidden.))

I can not say for certain that the - Other - USA Tv stations will be received reliably.

Remember to rescan for channels.

You will notice that I keep using the word Experimental.

Receiving the USA Tv stations due to the Distance is Experimental.

And receiving the Canada and USA Tv stations all at one time is Experimental.

I keep referring to antenna location and aim direction as Experimental , to find the best reception.

Remember to rescan for channels.

CBLT-DT UHF channel 20 CBC might be received with Experimental antenna aiming. The CBC is at 85 degree magnetic compass direction.

Aiming a antenna at the general direction , around the edge of the building , might get CBLT.

Signal reflections off of other close tall buildings might get you the CBC CBLT.

Remember to rescan for channels.

If the CBC is received and some other Canada and USA Tv stations are lost due the the direction of the Experimental antenna location and antenna aiming , then one antenna can be used for reception of the CBC and an other antenna can be used for reception of the USA and Canada Tv stations.

The coaxes of the 2 separate antennas will not be connected on to 1 coax.

The 2 Separate coaxes from the antennas will go to the location of the Tv and are connected to a Remote control A/B antenna switch , http://www.mcmelectronics.com , #32-4425.

Saveandreplay has the same Remote control A/B antenna switch.

Remember to rescan for channels.

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If you are not interested in Experimenting , that is Ok.

Aim the antenna and receive what is received.