Antenna choice for Central FL
 

I live about 20 miles north of Orlando. There was an antenna already installed at the house when I moved in, mast-mounted, about 18 feet high. I can pick up about 30 stations. On some stations there is quite a bit of pixelation - comes and goes - on others the signal drops out regularly. The antenna looks a little worse for wear and I'm thinking of replacing it. Any suggestions for a replacement?
Here's my TVFool report:

http://www.tvfool.com/?option=com_wr...d24373e5de2306
Thanks

You might try an amplifier first.

Start by checking the basics:

1. Is the coax in good shape? Are all the connections tight? Trace from antenna to tv and check every connection.
2. Is there a splitter in use? What condition is it in? You might bypass it and run a length of coax directly to one TV as a test.
3. Inspect the antenna. The balun might have corroded connections or might be bad. It it aimed roughly southeast? Sometimes they can turn in a storm.
4. What kind of antenna is it? Your stations are all UHF except for one (WOFT). You might post a photo for the experts to look at and comment.

Do not try an amplifier, your signal levels are already calculated to be strong. Pixelization is, more often than not, due to signal quality issues, not signal power problems. An amplifier can only address signal power and can, if done wrong, degrade signal quality so as to make reception worse.

WOFT-LD is not on the air. Its owner, owns 7 stations, five of which appear to have never been on the air broadcasting regular programming.

The only VHF station on the air is WESH who also operates a UHF translator in Orange City. For NBC, you need to pick up one of those two signals.

Do perform a preventative/corrective inspection of your antenna and its connections as suggested, it may be something simple.

Examine your surroundings. Is the antenna aimed properly? Is it aimed into trees or other buildings? Any of these factors can cause unreliable reception.

Thanks for the advice. I'll try your suggestions and see what happens. I'd be happy not to have to replace the antenna.