[John Candle]

Antennas have different gains across a range of channels. One reason is some reception areas need a little more gain in the channel bands of VHF low 2 thru 6 , VHF high 7 thru 13 , UHF 14 thru 69. Another reason is that Tv antennas are a design compromise. Due to the Extremely Wide range of channels it is not possible to design a tv antenna that is 100 % efficient across all the channels. And as far as the cost of antenna goes , antennas last 5 to 10 years outside that figures out to be 3 to 6 cents per day. And if the antenna is in the attic it might last forever. And it's a good practice to install a antenna thats a little bigger so as to have elbow room when receiving tv transmissions. In good to strong signal areas 1 to 2 dB gain or loss makes no difference. In far fringe or weak signal locations where squeezing out ever last drop of signal strength is important then 2 to 4 dB signal gain can make a difference. Many years ago when analog tv was the only way to receive tv , a test was preformed with signal strength and what is observed on the tv screen. A signal attenuater was used to adj. the signal strength to just above when snow is seen in the picture. A 2 db increase in signal strength and the observers said it ' feels ' like the picture is better. A 4 dB increase and the observers of the picture said I think the picture is better. And 6 dB increase and the observers of the picture said Now That Is A Lot Better. And it is good practice to install a tv antenna that is a little bigger for elbow room for bad weather and day and night reception.