Jack Antenna - Channels in Canada?

[Chapitre]

Does anyone know if we can pick up channels in Canada using just the TV antenna? I know you can in the US, but tried the jack antenna today, didn't seem to pick anything up.
If not is there something extra that is needed in Canada?

[cpaharley2008]

I think you need to be current with your VAT payments in order to receive transmission in Canada.

[cpaharley2008]

[cpaharley2008]

I had no trouble receiving tv while in Canada earlier this year. Perhaps you may be out of range, but there is no difference in transmission.

[wayne_m]

Analog or digital? You can find a list OTA maps/guides for various Canadian cities readily on the internet. Most networks have abandoned analog transmission in accordance with government legislation, however Global TV broadcasts both analog and digital locally in Vancouver. Probably an emergency measures thing. My understanding is that even though transmitted the same as analog signals, digital signals tend to be more line of sight. It may diffucult if not impossible get a signal in less populated and/ or mountainous regions. Ever read a Jack Reacher novel? Can't put them down.

[Brian B-P]

Originally Posted by wayne_m

My understanding is that even though transmitted the same as analog signals, digital signals tend to be more line of sight.

Not really, but it might appear that way...

It seems that in some areas when stations have moved from analog transmission on their original channel to digital transmission on a new channel, they often moved from lower-frequency VHF channels to available higher-frequency UHF channels; the higher frequencies tend to be more limited to line-of-sight propagation.

Another issue is that when an analog signal gets weak and noisy the picture gets fuzzy, but when a digital signal gets weak it is clear until is starts breaking up and you lose it entirely... so digital can be more finicky.

Originally Posted by wayne_m

It may diffucult if not impossible get a signal in less populated and/ or mountainous regions.

True. It can be a long way between TV stations. Remote areas are more likely to still be using analog broadcasts.

[rbryan4]

Originally Posted by wayne_m

Analog or digital? You can find a list OTA maps/guides for various Canadian cities readily on the internet. Most networks have abandoned analog transmission in accordance with government legislation, however Global TV broadcasts both analog and digital locally in Vancouver. Probably an emergency measures thing. My understanding is that even though transmitted the same as analog signals, digital signals tend to be more line of sight. It may diffucult if not impossible get a signal in less populated and/ or mountainous regions. Ever read a Jack Reacher novel? Can't put them down.

The digital signals aren't really any more line of sight than the analog ones are. It's just that with analog, if the antenna is not aimed properly, you'll still get a signal, albeit a poor one with lots of snow (think rabbit ears). With digital, you either get a picture or you don't -- so aiming is more critical.

I'd suggest a Sure Lock signal finder, made by the same company that makes the Jack antenna. It helps you aim for the strongest possible digital signal.

King Controls SureLock Digital TV Antenna Signal Finder - $26.99

[gbaglo]

Canada has far fewer people in a much larger area. There's a lot of Canada where there is nobody to broadcast a signal to.

[escape artist]

Originally Posted by Chapitre

Does anyone know if we can pick up channels in Canada using just the TV antenna? I know you can in the US, but tried the jack antenna today, didn't seem to pick anything up.
If not is there something extra that is needed in Canada?

Hi: Chapitre... The Jack antenna is better than the Winegard... but reception is a very complex issue. At home I can get more channels with the Jack... but out in the woods/ hills maybe not. When the Gubermints mandated digital even they didn't understand how complex it was. A lot of the broadcasters got pushed around and couldn't stay on their original channels. They had to up their power to reach the same broadcast patterns, so you really have to know where they are located, and be able to aim the antenna at them.
Then you have the new digital TV's. Some of them, on a weak station, will just pixilate and shut down... some will simply say signal to weak.
IMHO digital TV isn't better... It's more complex... but if you're lucky you can still get it!!!
My best friend is a TV/Radio guru. He talks with station engineers all the time. With all his knowledge, books, antennas, and dishes he agrees. Alf
escape artist N.S. of Lake Erie