First, my apologies to those of you that also monitor the DTV USA Forums...I posted this same question there first while waiting for my TVFool account to get validated.
I have what would seem like easy requirements given my location:
TVFool.
I'm specifically interested in the following stations, all of which are at 297*: KTVK (IND), KPHO (CBS), KAET (PBS), KSAZ (FOX), KPNX (NBC), and KNXV (ABC). The antenna will be connected to a SiliconDust HDHomerun Dual (ATSC) receiver feeding multiple HTPCs.
Based on the tvfool data I've tried getting an RCA 1650 to pick up the channels I want, but I suspect that the chicken wire in the stucco walls is causing problems. However, even with the antenna behind a WNW-facing window I still get a lot of dropped audio and pixelation for several stations. I've tried this antenna both with the amplifier and without (still connected but unplugged) - it made some difference, but I still get dropouts. My house may indeed be in the shadow of the house across the street - I'm not sure if that really plays a part in reception at such close range.
I'm now looking at an outside eave location with almost clear LOS to the transmitters at 297*. I believe putting something like an RCA ANT751R at that spot (20' high) will provide better reception. Ideally I'd prefer to join the coax from the new antenna with a line that was previously run between the attic and a structured wiring cabinet. It's at this wiring cabinet where I'd connect the HDHomerun receiver to the antenna and to the home LAN.
My questions:
1) Is this a reasonable antenna for my needs, given my location? Too little? Too much?
2) If I'm on the right track for the antenna, are there comparable alternatives I should look at?
3) Is there a practical limit on the length of RG6 between the antenna and the receiver? Am I likely to need an amplifier in my ideal setup, in which there would be about 75' -80' of cable between the two, with one junction (a union - not a splitter)?
4) If an amplifier is necessary, can it go at the end of the run just before the receiver? Or do I need to get it closer to the antenna?
Thanks in advance for all your help!