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The following information is a response to your statement.
""I take it that foliage is much more disruptive to digital broadcasting signals then it used to be with analog. If so , it probably discourages a lot of people from going OTA.""
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People now days , are not discouraged buy the disruptive effects of trees and tree leaves.
Reason:
90% or more of people now days have no reference to the Analog time of Broadcast Tv.
And at least 90% have Never Received Any Type or Kind Broadcast Tv.
---->And will aim the antenna Directly into Closest Trees.<----
---->And will aim a tv antenna directly into the Thickest part of the Trees.<----
And this is the reason for the constant and repeated and never ending information of , Trees and tree leaves have a Negative Effect on Broadcast Tv Reception.
The Best and Most Reliable Reception happens when avoiding aiming the antenna into trees and tree leaves in the direction of reception.
The greater the distance the trees and other obstructions are from the receiving antenna the better for reception.
Even with the constant and repeated and never ending warnings of avoid aiming the antenna into trees and tree leaves.
People aim the antenna directly into the close trees and directly into the thick of the trees even though another easy to install location on the same roof will mean no trees disrupting reception.
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For your location install a ,
http://www.antennacraft.com , HBU44 antenna aimed at about 325 degrees 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.
Install a ,
http://www.antennacraft.com , 10G201 preamplifier.
Buy the HBU44 antenna and 10G201 preamplifier at ,
http://www.antennacraft.net , or ,
http://www.amazon.com.
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As a - Test - of reception I recommend install the HBU44 antenna about 8 to 10 feet or so above the roof.
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/Tripods%200703/3712.html.
Use the , ronard(4712-50-10) , 10 foot tripod 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.ronard.com , or ,
http://www.amazon.com.
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Avoid aiming into the closer trees in the direction to the North West.
And try for the thinest concentration of trees at distance in the directions of reception.
Also keep in mind that the stronger signal strength Tv stations of other directions are also receivable with the antenna aimed in one direction.
Directional Tv antennas such as and not limited to the HBU44 antenna receive the best at the front of the antenna , less at front angles to the antenna , less at back angles to the antenna , and less at the back of the antenna.
Directional antennas receive the least amount signal directly on the sides of the antenna.
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For 1 Tv connected use No splitter.
For 2 Tv's connected use a , Holland Electronics , HFS-2D , 2 way splitter.
For 3 Tv's connected use a , Holland Electronics , HFS-3D , 3 way splitter.
Buy the , HFS-2D , HFS-3D , splitters at ,
http://www.hollandelectronics.com , or ,
http://www.amazon.com.
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Home Depot and Lowes have , 10 foot , 6 inch lengths , 1 and 3/8 inch diameter , TOP RAIL , chain link fence , PIPE , that makes good antenna mast. The cost is Low Dollars.