Channels
These channels are free (if you have all the hardware to receive them) but they are regular broadcast television with ads, which may be a bit jarring if you're used to streaming services.
Note that reception is very sensitive to antenna position (including angle), antenna strength, and even to weather conditions.
Make sure your coax cables are solidly connected to the antenna and to the television or external tuner.
Depending on your tuner it may take quite a few seconds (10 to 15 seconds) before it shows a signal for a channel, it won't necessarily tune in instantly.
Also if you're using an antenna indoors, you should step considerably away from the antenna before testing; your body is surprisingly effective at blocking a digital TV signal.
| Channel | Station | Service | Resolution | Reception (in my location) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 4.1 | CBOT-DT | CBC | 720p | good |
| 6.1 | CIII-HD (CIII-DT) | Global | 1080i | good |
| 9.1 | CBOFT-D (CBOFT-DT) | Radio-Canada (ICI Radio-Canada Télé) | 720p | good, with intermittent issues |
| 11.1 | CHCH-DT | CHCH | 1080i | good |
| 13.1 | CJOH (CJOH-DT) | CTV | 1080i | good |
| 14.1 | OMNI2 | Omni | 1080i | good |
| 15.1 | CTS-HD | Yes TV (former Crossroads Television System) - religious broadcasting | 1080i | good |
| 24.1 | TVO | TVO | 1080i | good |
| 32.1 | CHOT-HD (CHOT-DT) | TVA (TVA Gatineau–Ottawa) | 1080i | not getting any signal |
| 43.1 | CHRO (CHRO-TV / CHRO-DT-43) | CTV 2 | 1080i | good |
| 60.1 | OMNI1 | Omni | 1080i | good |
| 65.1 | Citytv | Citytv | 1080i | good |
Antenna
I'm using an Antop AT-402B antenna with the signal gain turned on. It's big for indoor use (68cm tall) but good at getting a signal. I have to point it out the window and adjust the angle very carefully in order to get a good signal, as digital TV is line of sight.
Tuner: ATSC vs ATSC 3.0
You will need either a television with a built-in ATSC tuner, or an external tuner.
If it's an ATSC 3.0 tuner that's fine, it will work with regular Canadian ATSC signals (there is no ATSC 3.0 broadcasting in Canada, although you might be able to pick up signals if you're near the US border).
Towers
There are two main digital TV (ATSC) towers in Ottawa (in the National Capital Region, the NCR).
Digital TV is line of sight, more or less.
Ryan Tower
Ryan Tower (Radio-Canada) on Camp Fortune.
Latitude: 45° 30' 9" N, Longitude: 75° 51' 0" W. https://cbctransmission.ca/en/map#289
Herbert Corners tower
Herbert Corners tower.
about 45° 13' 2" N, 75° 33' 49" W
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