Help - Antenna Recommendation for Los Angeles area
 

I would appreciate a recommendation for an antenna for my area in southern California, 30 miles east of Los Angeles.

tvfool report:
http://www.tvfool.com/?option=com_wr...46aeecca70858f

The main stations I am interested in receiving (along with their real channel #) are: KVCR(26), KABC(7), KTTV(11), KCOP(13), KCAL(9), KTLA(31), KNBC(36), KOCE(48), KCBS(43), KCET(28). (There are stations on both UHF and VHF).

I am unfortunately situated at the bottom of a hill that is between my house and the TV broadcast antennas. Even though the stations I want are only 20-30 miles away, I have a really hard time picking up any stations at all.

I am currently using Philips MANT940 indoor antenna (UHF only - I didn't realize at the time that I needed VHF reception also). It gives marginal at best reception for KCBS(43), KNBC(36), KTLA(31), KVCR(26), and KCET(28). Sometimes I get reception, and sometimes I don't. To give you an example of how marginal the reception is, all it takes is a neighbor mowing his lawn (I kid you not:)), or the sprinklers turning on outside, or an airplane flying nearby, and there goes my reception.

I plan on mounting the mast on the eave. Between the height of the eave and the length of the mast, I figure the antenna will be around 20 - 22 feet above ground. I have 2 TVs, so hope to be feeding the TV signal to both TVs. On the positive side, it appears like all the stations I'm interested in are in the same direction. (FYI, I have a steel roof. I don't know if that might make a difference in your recommedation.)

My preference, if appropriate for my situation, is for one of the "flat" antenna types similar to the Antennas Direct DB8e (vs. the larger traditional yagi style). From reading reviews, I gather that the elements on many of the yagi antennas are made from very thin wall tubes, and birds like to land on them, bending/breaking the elements. (I know the DB8e is UHF only, I'm just using that as an example of the antenna "shape"). Another reason is I would prefer not to have a massive antenna if possible.

Thanks in advance for your advice and recommendations.

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Install a , http://www.antennacraft.net , HBU55 antenna above the Peak of the Roof in such a manner that the Roof and Building are Not , obstructing , impeding , blocking , reception in the directions of , West North , West South , North , North East , East.

Aim the HBU55 antenna at about 296 degree magnetic compass direction.

Here is how to aim antennas , http://www.kyes.com/antenna/pointing/pointing.html.

Use a Real and Actual magnetic compass to aim antenna.

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Here are some above the roof antenna mounts.

http://www.ronard.com/909911.html.
Use the , ronard(911) , 5 foot tripod antenna mount.

http://www.ronard.com/34424560.html.
Use the , ronard(4560) , eave antenna mount.

http://www.ronard.com/ychim.html.
Measure around the chimney and use a , ronard(2212) , ronard(2218) , ronard(2224) .

Buy the ronard antenna mounts at , http://www.solidsignal.com , by typing , ronard(x) , in the solidsignal search box , or , buy from , http://www.ronard.com.

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Install a , http://www.channelmasterstore.com , CM7778 Preamplifier.

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For 1 Tv connected use No splitter.

For 2 Tv's connected use a , http://www.hollandelectronics.com , HFS-2D , 2 way splitter.

For 3 Tv's connected use a , http://www.hollandelectronics.com , HFS-3D , 3 way splitter.

Buy the , HFS-2D and HFS-3D , splitters at , http://www.solidsignal.com , or , http://www.hollandelectronics.com.

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As always , trees and tree leaves , plants and plant leaves , have a Negative Effect on Broadcast Tv Reception and so do buildings and other obstructions including your own roof and building.

Some and not all Negative Effects are

Absorbing , Blocking , Reception

Multi-Path Reflecting Tv signals bouncing all around.

The Best Practice is to install the HBU55 antenna at a location that has the least amount to no amount obstructions of any type or kind in the directions of reception including your own roof and house.

Follow up question
 

Thank you for your antenna recommendation. I do have some follow up questions, though.

According to the TV Fool report details, the Noise Margin at my location for any station needs to be at least 0 dB in order to pick up that station. In the case of KCET (28), the predicted noise margin is -11.6 dB. The maximum gain for the HBU55 is 9.0 dB in the UHF band, which means that I am still 2.6 dB short of being able to pull in this station (even disregarding cable and splitter losses). I know that you are also recommending a preamplifier, but from what I read on the net, a preamplifier should only be used to make up for cable and splitter losses, not low on-the-air signal strength, right?

I was hoping to avoid a massive antenna like the 12-foot long HBU55, but I guess that is just un-avoidable for my location.

Thanks again for the advice.

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As to , the 0 NM (dB). reliable reception happens in the , minus - numbers , down to about , minus -10 NM (dB) , and sometimes down to minus -15 or so NM(dB).

The 0 NM (dB) is a Reference Point for reception over level open ground with no obstructions between the transmitting antenna and receiving antenna.

Ideal Reference Point conditions. Notice the words , Reference Point.

100% ideal conditions of reception are not that common , so is best , for Elbow Room , to have plus +10 NM(dB) , for elbow room.

And stronger NM (dB) signal strengths are better.

If , 0 NM(dB) and negative NM(dB) numbers are what there is to work with then ---> 0 NM(dB) and negative NM(dB) numbers is what there is to work with.

0 NM(dB) and Negative NM(dB) numbers , mean a Big Antenna is required to receive as much signal as possible.

When NM(dB) signal strengths at a location go down into the low positive numbers and negative numbers , the antenna gets bigger and bigger.

Also note that with weak signal strengths it is Important to have Less and Less and even no obstructions between the transmitting antenna and the receiving antenna. If possible.

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As to , the preamplifier , Test reception With the preamplifier , and Test reception Without the Preamplifier.

When testing reception Without the preamplifier , Remove All parts of the preamplifier , Remove the preamplifier unit , Remove the power injector , Remove the Power supply.