|
Greetings Earnest,
You are on the fringe edge of Chicago at your location. WGBO reports a signal of 11.2 db, which is very weak but is still possible.
At what height did you run this TVfool plot? I'd like to see 25' and 50' respectively.
Your thoughts on a DB8e are in the right direction. With WGBO's weak signal though, I would advise against aiming the panels separately (one for Chicago, the other for South Bend). You are going to need the antenna's full gain and receiving ability to work Chicago.
This plot does have some negatives. First, normally I'd advise you aim and Chicago and leave it. Unfortunately, you don't have a reasonable chance at all of Chicago. If your plot is accurate, ABC, Univision and FOX from Chicago are your best bets. NBC is on the bleeding edge and WBBM CBS is unlikely.
There a good likelyhood of NBC and CBS from South Bend. However, if you aimed half of the DB8e towards magnetic 49, the chances of WGBO reception diminish. As mentioned earlier, for Chicago you need every ounce of gain from the DB8e working WGBO.
If WGBO is priority, I would purchase the DB8e. Install on your roof with no obstructions trees or structures - aim both panels to magnetic 330 (NW). A preamp could help as you don't have any strong signals to contend with. The RCA TVPRAMP1R is a good low cost unit that performs well.
The "combined" antenna input is what you'll connect to DB8e antenna coax to on the preamp. Then the coax from the preamp will run into your home. At that end of that coax, install power inserter for preamp then split signal if desired.
How many TVs do you intend to feed?
Using a preamp in these situations can often have a benefit. Signals that you aren't aiming for get amplified too, the result is that South Bend may pop in.
You don't have the best plot to work with, but with some good luck, you'll be able to reliably see Univision along with a mix of Chicago and South Bend affiliates.
Cheers.
|