Intermittent signal

[lbs22]

Currently using a very large, old antennae that came with the house. Also have a Clearstream 4 which doesn't work as well and has been disconnected.

WHP 21.1 comes in clearly most of the time but we experience audio drop and loss of picture several times a week for anywhere between a couple minutes and a few hours. Happens on clear days, rainy days, etc. WITF 33.1 also drops but much less frequently and more during bad weather. Interestingly enough WGAL 8.1 Real channel 49 comes in clear all the time and that's further down the list. I doubt we're getting the stronger WGAL signal based on positioning.

Antennae is pointed towards 76 degrees about 20 feet above ground next to metal roof. Analysis link below. What do we need to ensure the 21.1 signal more consistently?

http://www.tvfool.com/?option=com_wrapper&Itemid=29&q=id%3de1c6fd410fcc83

[GroundUrMast]

Your TV Fool reception report strongly suggests that you need to consider using the largest availble antenna or combination of antennas that cover the UHF and High-VHF bands.

Several choices I would consider are;

Winegard HD7698P
Antennacraft HBU-55
Antennas Direct 91XG + Antennacraft Y10713 + a UHF/VHF combiner (separate or built into the preamp)

An RCA TVPRAMP1R or Antennas Direct PA-18 would be the preamps I'd consider.

[lbs22]

Your TV Fool reception report strongly suggests that you need to consider using the largest availble antenna or combination of antennas that cover the UHF and High-VHF bands.

Several choices I would consider are;

Winegard HD7698P
Antennacraft HBU-55
Antennas Direct 91XG + Antennacraft Y10713 + a UHF/VHF combiner (separate or built into the preamp)

An RCA TVPRAMP1R or Antennas Direct PA-18 would be the preamps I'd consider.

Since I'm just trying to boost a signal that comes in strong and clear 90% of the time, could I just try a preamp? Considering the Winegard LNA 200. The existing large antenna is very large like the links you provided but at least 20 years old. Do most antennas have model info on them somewhere?

[GroundUrMast]

Reliable reception starts with (and can end at) the antenna, it's selection and placement.

Amplifiers can not 'pull' signal from the antenna or the air. An amplifier is analogous to a pump. Placing a premium high volume/pressure pump in damp hole will not make the hole into a well that produces drinkable water. If mud is all that the pump is supplied with, expect mud at the tap. If the antenna is receiving a distorted or noisy signal, an amplifier will deliver a noisy distorted signal to the TV. The job of an amplifier is to overcome the losses in cable and splitters on the output side of the amps, it can not repair or fix signal quality issues such as noise and distortion. With that said, the cost of a preamp may be such that you want to try it. If so, I'd suggest the RCA TVPRAMP1R or PA-18. The LNA-200 lacks adequate internal shielding which makes it unacceptable to ingress of signals that result in higher noise output in some applications.