I will try to explain my thinking during my analysis of your situation.
It is the real channel number on your tvfool report that determines what antenna is needed.
VHF-Low, real channels 2-6
VHF-High, real channels 7-13
UHF, real channels 14-51
I suggested the 7697 in the event you wanted some VHF-High channels, real channels 7-13, later.
If size is important to you, and you limit yourself to the UHF channels, the antenna will be smaller.
(Ah yes, I see ADTech was posting while I was composing this TL;DR post.)
The 751 covers VHF-High and UHF, so the larger elements would not be needed for UHF only.
To meet your network requirements, this would be your line up with the antenna aimed at 221 degrees magnetic:
CBS, WBZ, CH 30, Noise Margin 17.8 dB
ABC, WCVB, CH 20, NM 18.8 dB
NBC, WHDH, CH 42, NM 8.7 dB
FOX, WFXT, CH 31, NM 16.0 dB
PBS, WGBH, CH 19, NM 19.0 dB (and maybe WGBX)
You are certainly welcome to try the 751. I'm the last person to discourage antenna experimentation. The 751 might be adequate for your strongest channels, but I think it is marginal for your weakest channel, NBC, with a 2Edge signal which means there is terrain interference for the signal on the way to your location.
I have learned the hard way that it is not a good idea to raise the hopes of a poster only to have them crash on the rocks of reality.
Perhaps this Noise Margin chart will help you understand NBC which has a Noise Margin of 8.7 dB putting it in the Weak category:
Interpreting Noise Margin in the TV Fool Report
http://www.aa6g.org/DTV/Reception/tvfool_nm.html
Looking at it from the standpoint of signal strength, WHGH has a signal power of -82.2 dBm. Most tuners will drop out a signal around -85 dBm, so you have too little "Fade Margin" because OTA signals constantly vary in strength, especially 2Edge signals. A larger antenna with more gain improves your Fade Margin for more consistent reception.
Quote:
|
So now I'm wondering if the other post from Newburyport, MA was far off-base when they used (apparently successfully) an RCA ANT751R and no amp
|
I don't know if it was off-base or not because TVFOOL deletes old reports. I do know that in New England small changes in location can make significant differences in reports because of the terrain between the transmitter and the receiving location in spite of the local elevation.
The antennas you might consider are the Antennas Direct DB4E and the C4. The DB8E and 91XG would be more conspicuous against the skyline.