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Topic:
CTV 9.1 9-1 in Toronto Not Working?
This thread has 10 replies. Displaying all posts.
Post 1 made on Thursday September 29, 2011 at 14:58
mbc230to
Lurking Member
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September 2011
2
Hello,

Is anyone else find that CTV 9.1 or 9-1 does not work lately? Has something changed? I live downtown Toronto and I don't get the channel now.

Help?
Post 2 made on Thursday September 29, 2011 at 16:55
Daniel Tonks
Wrangler of Remotes
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October 1998
28,779
CTV is fine. However it is no longer broadcasting on UHF 40-1 with a virtual channel of 9-1... it is broadcasting on VHF 9-1 period. Which means, if you have a UHF-only antenna, you're probably having problems picking up the new VHF signal.
Post 3 made on Friday September 30, 2011 at 10:22
Nueatit
Long Time Member
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149
Agree with Daniel, however, if you use a pre-amp, it will be the problem since most are UHF only.

If you want to save some $ just get an rf switch box or use a two way splitter in reverse and combine a rabbit ear for chn 9 and keep using the other for UHF channels.
OP | Post 4 made on Friday September 30, 2011 at 10:53
mbc230to
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2
Hrm, sounds German to me ;)

Perhaps, I'll tell you what I am using since all my other channels still work fine like CityTV, 57-1, etc.

I'm running a Mac with a TV Tuner (Elgato Hybrid) and an HD antenna that I built.

TV Tuner - Look at the specs, it says
Frequency Range: 48-801 MHz (VHF and UHF)
[Link: elgato.com]

HD Antenna
http://www.tvantennaplans.com/

Like I said, I get all my regular channels that I did before and since about 1-2 months ago, CTV doesn't work.

Thoughts? Solutions? Thanks for helping out a non-tech guy
Post 5 made on Friday September 30, 2011 at 12:56
Nueatit
Long Time Member
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For a non tech guy I give you credit for building the antenna, wood and all, however, this is a UHF antenna and optimized for mid UHF band, channel 9 has a frequency between 186 and 192 MHz far away from mid-band UHF.

I would still suggest, if antenna problem, try just a pair of rabbit ears (can be bought at a dollar store near you for about $1 and use a 300 to 75 ohm adaptor. If this gives you signal strength but no video, rotate antenna or relocate and try again.

Worst case scenerio, you may now be in a null of the rf from the CN Tower and/or mult-path. Lower freq. are more affected OR the VHF is affected by your building, I think that you are in a condo. UHF finds better ways into concrete structures.

Good Luck

PS: CFTO chn 9 is the only local VHF channel. Do you receive chn 11 or Buffalo chn 7? Also the USB tuner does not give sesitivity specs. Did you receive Chn 9 analog before Sept 1 or never?
Post 6 made on Monday October 17, 2011 at 12:07
mahm1020
Lurking Member
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August 2009
9
So how do you fix the problem for CTV if you have a UHF attenna already on the roof? I do nto know why CTV woudl this..Frist CBC cheaping out on going 720p (which clearly you can see the difference) and now CTV signal going on VHF. Help?
Post 7 made on Monday October 17, 2011 at 12:55
Nueatit
Long Time Member
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You did not mention, DO you have a UHF pre-amp at the antenna on your roof, if so, this will block chn #9. To change amp to VHF/UHF will cost at least >$70.

Try a rabbit ear antenna first, directly into your TV set tuner/MAC pc and see if chn 9 comes in.

If it does, a simple mechanical rf switch box or reverse a two way splitter and combine the two antennas.

This is a try and adapt as you go game.

Good luck
Post 8 made on Monday October 17, 2011 at 14:06
NFASTRO
Long Time Member
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October 2006
130
To the two new members that have problems with CH9 (mahm1020 and mbc230). Its not clear in this thread of notes that you have tried tuning or scanning rf channel 9.1 (ie its no longer on RF 40.1). I think that the uhf problem is overrated. I am using a "UHF" antenna (CM4228) and uhf amp and VHF stations like CH 9 in toronto and CH11 in Hamilton come thru fine. On my laptop, I have a small UHF loop antenna, no amp and I get CH9 fine in North York.

Before you guys start changing antennas and amps, make sure you are actually tuning to the right frequency.

p.s. I even receive weak stations from Buffalo (Channel 7 WBBZ) which is the lowest possible VHF station although this is only when the weather is good.
Post 9 made on Monday October 17, 2011 at 14:29
mahm1020
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On October 17, 2011 at 12:55, Nueatit said...
You did not mention, DO you have a UHF pre-amp at the antenna on your roof, if so, this will block chn #9. To change amp to VHF/UHF will cost at least >$70.

Try a rabbit ear antenna first, directly into your TV set tuner/MAC pc and see if chn 9 comes in.

If it does, a simple mechanical rf switch box or reverse a two way splitter and combine the two antennas.

This is a try and adapt as you go game.

Good luck

Thanks for your help... to a little more detalied I bought these $20 attenna's from a store on dixie/matheson in mississauga. I combined 2 attennas, one facing buffalo and the other towards CN Tower. I am sort of getting Channel 9 (CTV) and Channel 11 (CHCH) but they are cutting up and the picture gets choppy. I hear something of a UHF amp. What is that and will that help?
Post 10 made on Monday October 17, 2011 at 16:26
Nueatit
Long Time Member
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149
Thanks for the added info, combining two similar antennas facing different directions sounds straight forward BUT it is hit and miss, cable length between antennas, power splitting loss of 3 dB, out of phase signals, etc.

From 30+ years in rf experience I could do it based on F/B ratio, side lobes etc however, if you try this, it is experienting. Based on your description of your setup with NO antenna mounted pre-amp, and closeness to the CN Tower, a mid gain approx. 18 dB gain amplifier may work but most cheap Pre-amps are UHF only (Low Noise Pre-Amplifier HDTV/UHF AT-PAU18 $25 Cdn, do a google search store in Markham or Etobicke), Channel Master has a VHF/UHF avail. Channel master (0068DSB) Spartan 3 at about $70.

In my opinion, I would try the VHF/UHF installed at indoor location to see if it works, if it improves rf signal then mast mount on a warm day.

There are now new 4 bay antennas out with a VHF dipole to help with these types of problems.

Good Luck.

I'm at Yonge & Hwy 7 indoor attic antenna, get most except CHCH and CKVR
Post 11 made on Tuesday October 18, 2011 at 11:04
el gran chico
Long Time Member
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November 2007
148
Re: If it does, a simple mechanical rf switch box or reverse a two way splitter and combine the two antennas.

A two-way splitter will probably cause more problems that it solves due to phasing. A UVSJ (UHF VHF Splitter Joiner) is a better choice to combine UHF and VHF signals.


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