Can my setup be improved?

[nleahcim]

Hi - I'm in Santa Clara, CA. Here is my TV Fool report: http://www.tvfool.com/?option=com_wrapper&Itemid=29&q=id%3dec2f08dd99b0f0

I currently have an RCA ANT751 (http://www.rcaaudiovideo.com/antennas/?sku=ANT751) on a tripod on my patio. I've attached pictures showing the setup. The antenna is aimed a bit West of North.

My problem is that some days this works great and all the channels I want (NBC, FOX, ABC, etc.) come in beautifully. But other days they are choppy. So I feel like I'm about 90% there but just not quite there.

My TV is only about 20 feet from the antenna, and there are no splitters in the path. Would a different antenna do better?

Thank you!

[Jake V]

You're aiming into trees and another structure, so there will be loss of signal.

What direction are you aimed at? I'd be trying 298 degrees measured with a compass and then slowly adjusting it.

[nleahcim]

You're aiming into trees and another structure, so there will be loss of signal.

What direction are you aimed at? I'd be trying 298 degrees measured with a compass and then slowly adjusting it.
Jake - that's approximately the angle I'm aiming at. I tweaked it to maximize signal.

I'm completely aware that I'm aiming into trees and a nearby apartment building... I don't really have much of a choice, unfortunately.

[timgr]

Can you get more height? 25' seems pretty high for a tripod, but the roof of the building next door is certainly higher than that.

[nleahcim]

Can you get more height? 25' seems pretty high for a tripod, but the roof of the building next door is certainly higher than that.
The antenna is on my patio, and somebody else's patio is above mine - so I have very limited vertical room. With a new antenna mast I could get another couple of feet. That's about it.

Would aiming the antenna up some help? It isn't easy to do that with the mount I have but I could probably figure out a way.