The LA Tv stations reception is Experimental , to see what happens with signal strengths , you can make tvfool radar plot reports at different antenna heights , from 1 foot above ground to 500 feet above ground.
Can also change the location of the antenna.
Go to the tvfool home page and click on >>Start MAPS<< , you can move the pointer around on the radar plot on your property and off your propetry and also change antenna heights to see if signal strength can be improved.
And then you can try the HD8200U antenna at the locations and heights to see if can improve the reception.
In the old days it was called finding hot spots , or walking the roof.
In the old days there was no tvfool or local mapping programs.
I have carried many antennas around looking for and finding hot reception spots.
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For reception of the local Tv stations , I recommend aim the smaller All channel antenna at about 176 degree magnetic compass direction , the weakest signal strength local tv stations.
Directional type Tv antennas receive the best at the front of the antenna and then at front angles to the antenna , and then back angles and back of the antenna.
The least reception is directly on the sides of a directional antenna.
Here is how to aim antennas ,
http://www.kyes.com/antenna/pointing/pointing.html.
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For splitters , simple common splitters will be Ok.
No requirement for , gold plated , super whiz bang , splitters.
You can try different types and kinds of splitters to see if makes any difference of reception.
If using a preamp , use splitters , that are power passing , that will pass power through the splitter from the power supply / power injector , to the preamp.
Here are splitters that pass power in one direction. And are high quality splitters.
HFS splitters.
HFS-2D 2 way splitter. HFS-3D 3 way splitter , HFS-4D 4 way splitter.
Buy the HFS splitters at ,
http://www.solidsignal.com ,
http://www.hollandelectronics.com.
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For a preamp that is resistant to signal strength overload from the local Tv stations and generates less noise , Antennas Direct CPA-19 preamp.
All electric and electronic circuits generate noise , the noise ' masks ' the Tv signal , puts a layer of noise over the Tv signal. This reduces the reception of the desirable low signal strength LA signals.
It is a balancing act , when using a amplifier , stronger signal strength , more noise.
Less signal strength , less noise.
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The HD8200U is a big high gain antenna , the shear size of the antenna receives more signal.
Notice that I did not say , pulls in more signal , the Truth is that antennas Do Not pull in signals.
The size/length and number of metal reception elements of the HD8200U antenna ->Receives<- more signal.