Nice antenna... when it had all it's elements. Let's presume it has served well but needs to be retired along with the coax that has been with it in the weather for quite a few years.
You mentioned trees in your path... Let's be conservative and budget 10 dB of loss as a worst case. KTLN CH-47 was on your original priority list. I see a predicted NM of 24 dB. Subtract the path loss due to trees and you're down to 14 dB NM. Add the antenna gain of 7 dB (UHF section of an HBU-22 or HBU-33) and you are up to a 21 dB NM, (more than enough for a line of site path but adequate for an edge path). Now let's say you have a total of 60' of RG-6 between the antenna and the farthest receiver, (conservatively 5 dB of loss) and 8 dB of splitter loss. 21 - 13 = 8 That's not much wiggle room. Still, at the antenna you have a comfortable NM. If you install an HBU-22 aimed at KTLN (315° per your compass) you should easily get a reliable KTLN with no amplifier and no splitter.
If after adding a splitter, KTLN becomes unreliable, you can add a high input preamp such as a Winegard HDP-269. I've looked at the TV signals and see between 60,000 and 65,000 micro-volts of signal in the air (that does not include antenna gain), that will overload most preamplifiers but the HDP-269 is rated for 350,000 micro-volts input. There is still a chance you would need to add an FM trap ahead of the preamp given the strong local FM stations. (Read this to mean, "An amplifier is likely to have problems with overloading." and "Add an amplifier only if you have proven you need it.")
KGO is predicted to be 20 dB better to start with. Still, as insurance you could go with an HBU-33 for it's better VHF gain. Both the HBU-22 and 33 have fairly broad beam widths so they should easily see the stations to the NW all the way down into the yellow section of your report, also expect to see the stronger stations to the north.
After having said all that, I think a new antenna and coax will do you wonders.
__________________
If the well is dry and you don't see rain on the horizon, you'll need to dig the hole deeper. (If the antenna can't get the job done, an amp won't fix it.)
(Please direct account activation inquiries to 'admin')
Last edited by GroundUrMast; 5-Feb-2011 at 12:35 AM.
|