john bollwitt blog [comments feed]

Comment on The Bright Side Will Win by DaveO

DaveO — Tue, 25 Oct 2022 08:12:25 +0000

Peace to Dan and his family. And down with warmongers!

Comment on Getting over the air (OTA) digital television (DTV) in Vancouver by John Bollwitt

John Bollwitt — Fri, 06 Nov 2015 04:24:56 +0000

I know it’s been so long since leaving this comment, but I have seen some rigs here and there that use a piece of board or even cardboard behind the array. I’m just unsure how directional that would make it and actually cause you to lose any signal coming from behind that tin foil.

Check out this Google image search and see how those antennas have on grid on one side:
https://www.google.ca/search?q=hd+antenna&espv=2&biw=1085&bih=778&site=webhp&source=lnms&tbm=isch&sa=X&sqi=2&ved=0CAYQ_AUoAWoVChMIn4vtsfb6yAIVQaSICh1QoglF

At that point, you can consider an upgrade by purchasing one to stick in the attic. Or if you do it yourself with a concept, just tossing out a half thought… you could use more coat hangers, sand spots down where you could connect two straight pieces, and solder your own grid to mount on the other side of the board.

Comment on Getting over the air (OTA) digital television (DTV) in Vancouver by Screwdriver

Screwdriver — Sat, 06 Jul 2013 22:55:03 +0000

I built my antenna as per these instructions. It works great!!
I live near steveston in richmond. I put the antenna up in the attic facing 168 degrees south. I get the following channels in glorious hd: CBC, CTV, CTV2, CITY, GLOBAL, OMNI and CBC French. I also receive PBS in HD. but PBS is very weak and unwatchable. I have a couple of questions though. If I add a reflector behind the coat hangers, Will I get any more channels? Will the reflector block any signals from the north? Is there any other way to boost my reception? Other than putting it outside, I want to keep it in the attic.

Comment on Jolted in the West End by Mom

Mom — Fri, 24 May 2013 02:08:03 +0000

I wonder what the man that owns the car felt like when the car exploded. It really is a miracle no one was seriously hurt including you and Rebecca.

Comment on Getting over the air (OTA) digital television (DTV) in Vancouver by kitsgirl

kitsgirl — Mon, 17 Dec 2012 22:31:21 +0000

Great board. I have a similar question from above – Can I use my Shaw cable box (Motorola Dct 3080) as the digital converter to my TV? Will I still be able to record shows?

Comment on Getting over the air (OTA) digital television (DTV) in Vancouver by Halloween Dude

Halloween Dude — Sat, 23 Jun 2012 00:06:33 +0000

Hi – I just started to research this option as I too am tired of paying 80 bucks a month for redundant cable programming saturated with commercials and punctuated by prolonged strings of infomercials!

I am located on the top (16th) floor of an uptown high rise in New Westminster and my view is unobstructed and ranges from Grouse Mt to the Alex Fraser Bridge (Southwest).

I am wondering if due to my location and height if I shouldn’t invest in a more advanced antenna and if so, recommendations would be appreciated.

I am so going to build this antenna though 🙂

Comment on Launched a new WordPress site: noboundaries.org by Getting a better Northern Voice |

Getting a better Northern Voice | — Mon, 11 Jun 2012 04:41:38 +0000

[…] of times and his work for a friend traveling the world is top quality, check out John’s post and move on the […]

Comment on High atop downtown Vancouver by fotoeins | Henry

fotoeins | Henry — Tue, 22 May 2012 06:41:36 +0000

Imagine what the next five to ten years will hold for the city and the region of Vancouver! Nice shots from up high, John!

Comment on Getting over the air (OTA) digital television (DTV) in Vancouver by rhisc

rhisc — Sat, 04 Feb 2012 21:46:23 +0000

I’ve got a picture of my antenna. Built it with stuff lying around the house.
http://yfrog.com/n8hc23j

I can get all the Vancouver channels except for Chek and JoyTV. Don’t even need to adjust the position.
http://yfrog.com/5em4m8j

Comment on Getting over the air (OTA) digital television (DTV) in Vancouver by Chris

Chris — Thu, 12 Jan 2012 01:50:15 +0000

My house is just a few blocks below the plateau at Lonsdale and 13th.

The Bellingham and Victoria transmitters out in the San Juan/Gulf Islands come in reliably. The Lower Lonsdale slope faces south, so that might explain receiving the transmitters at 166°.

Sadly, I see none of the Mt. Seymour channels (CBC, CTV, OMNI, GLOBAL). Maybe I’m in the shadow of the high rises clustered around central Lonsdale. Or it might be because my TV and indoor antenna are on the South West corner of house (ie, opposite corner of Mt. Seymour).

6.1 CHEK-HD 16-19 dB
12.1 KVOS-DT 28-29 dB (also, 12.2)
24.1 KBCB 19-20 dB (also 24.2; 24.3)

I thought the Mt. Seymour signals might even be overloading, but removing the amplifier didn’t help. It’s puzzling, because the CBC (CBUT) transmitter should be 10 dB stronger than KVOS (according to TVFool which takes terrain – but not buildings – into account). Mt. Seymour is only 6 miles away.

Terk CFDTV1a amplified omnidirectional indoor antenna connected to a Sony Bravia. Unfortunately, I don’t have a tv tuner for my laptop, otherwise I could experiment with location a little more.

Any thoughts? Could getting a higher, outdoor antenna overcome the high rises?

Comment on My Iowa Caucus Experience in Photos by fotoeins | Henry

fotoeins | Henry — Tue, 10 Jan 2012 05:40:29 +0000

I asked Rebecca about this earlier tonight at Ceili’s, and she pointed me to your blog post. Very interesting!

Comment on Getting over the air (OTA) digital television (DTV) in Vancouver by Rick

Rick — Mon, 09 Jan 2012 21:21:01 +0000

I live on the West side of Vancouver, on the side of a hill. I have clear line of sight to Mt. Seymour. With rabbit ears, I get the 7 local channels that everybody else gets. I use a Sharp LCD TV with a built-in ATSC tuner.

I wonder if anyone has been successful in getting Seattle stations using a decent antenna, such as a Channel Master 4228?

Second question: I have an A/B switch at the TV, with the rabbit ears on one side, and my Shaw cable (cheapo package) on the other. I hate having to get up and flip the switch to see the other channels. Any ideas here?

Comment on Getting over the air (OTA) digital television (DTV) in Vancouver by Bill55

Bill55 — Wed, 04 Jan 2012 22:49:16 +0000

To answer the question of better built in atsc tuners: I have an RCA(mfg by Pioneer), now about 5 years old and compared it to a set top atsc tuner and there were no differences except the outside tuner had a decent signal strength meter. I am using a single dipole in a corner reflector and have a solid 11 channels and 4 sporatic (atmospheric conditions). I have ordered an 8 bay Channel Master clone (CM no longer makes their 8 bay). I should have it running soon. I am at 64 and 132 in Surrey. Antenna on the roof and using 35 or so feet of rg59. I am considering upgrading to rg6, but the length is not long enough to make a huge difference (let me know if someone finds otherwise).
My question is if anyone in my area (Surrey) has been successful in receiving signals south of Bellingham? Thanks.

Comment on Getting over the air (OTA) digital television (DTV) in Vancouver by Jay

Jay — Wed, 28 Dec 2011 18:30:50 +0000

This is great. I recently cancelled my Shaw in frustration because i really only watch a few channels but was paying over $70. Can I use my Shaw cable box (Motorola DTC700) as the digital converter to my TV? In particular, attach the cable box to my TV and then the antenna to the cable box. I tried this but couldn’t get to work (although i was using a cheapo store bought antenna). will have to make the new antenna. Also, i assume it isn’t likely/possible to get any of the sports stations (eg. sportsnet)?

Thanks
Jay

Comment on Appreciating all that is the BC Lions, Canadian Football League, and the Grey Cup by fotoeins | Henry

fotoeins | Henry — Tue, 06 Dec 2011 18:15:34 +0000

Great post, as you’ve pointed out differences between the two games, but you also correctly point out that it is in fact very possible to like both. As a kid growing up with a steady diet of the BC Lions followed by the Seattle Seahawks (in the AFC West!), it was great being able to watch and follow both leagues.

In truth, I’d like to see Winnipeg back in the CFL West, despite the flip-flop between East and West. It’s a little odd to check up the CFL and not see the Ottawa Rough Riders in the mix. I hope Ottawa can get themselves sorted out in a way that Montreal has been able to do outside of Olympic Stadium.