Here is my signal analysis:
http://www.tvfool.com/?option=com_wr...1dda203937f560
Shortly after the digital conversion, I replaced my ancient antenna with a Winegard HD7697 mounted to the chimney. There is about 50' of RG6 cable between the antenna and the TV. I'm using a Digital Stream DTV converter box which has a signal meter. I have no idea what units the meter actually measures, but 40 seems to be the minimum for reliable reception.
By using TV Fool, I was able to aim the antenna at the transmitters which ar only 15 miles away, but I'm in the shadow of a mountain. Our single VHF Channel 13 comes in at a level 75 on the meter. The rest of the channels are UHF and are weak but stable reception except for Channel 14 (5.1) This channel is sometimes watchable, but often has dropouts. Sometimes there isn't enough signal to see anything.
With out old antenna, I had luck using a Radio Shack preamp...in fact we could only get one channel without it. Since the old antenna/preamp was 300 ohm, and the new antenna is 75 ohm, I bought a Winegard AP-8780 preamp. There is absolutely no difference with the preamp hooked up or not. In all fairness, I opted to put the preamp just inside the roof...both to protect it from smoke/creosote (chimney mount) and because there was snow on the roof when I bought it. That means there is about 8-10 feet of cable between the antenna and the preamp. Still...shouldn't I have seen *some* change in signal? I've tried it with the FM trap in and out and tested to see voltage is getting to it. After reading a lot of reviews where people claimed their Winegard preamps were DOA and had to return for replacement, I'm suspicious of this one.
My question is whether there is any potential benefit from buying a different preamp or if there is anything other than a bigger antenna that will bring in Channel 14. We live in a high wind area, so I'm reluctant to get a larger antenna.
I guess my other option is a rotator because ch 25 has the same programming. It's farther away but it's a straight shot, and when we were analog, it was our strongest channel.
Thanks for any advice.