Single or dual antennas?

[RealGomer]

We have an older yagi antenna with 36 elements on a 25 ft / 7.6 m) mast. Even with about half of them missing, we can still pull in signals from Cincinnati (40 mi / 60 km @ 240deg) and Dayton (30 mi / 45 km @ 285 deg). We can get a couple UHF channels from Columbus (62 mi / 100 km @ 40 deg). (Distances are AIR distance, degrees are compass headings.) The signal is going through a Channel Master Ultra Mini 4 (CM-3414) amplifier/distributor to three televisions.
Obviously, we need to replace the outdoor antenna. Note: a special "Digital / HDTV is not needed as the antenna doesn't care how the electromagnetic signal is formatted. Here's our question. Would we be better replacing the antenna with another yagi or two or with an omnidirectional antenna?
Thank you.

[rabbit73]

Originally Posted by RealGomer

We have an older yagi antenna with 36 elements on a 25 ft / 7.6 m) mast. Even with about half of them missing, we can still pull in signals from Cincinnati (40 mi / 60 km @ 240deg) and Dayton (30 mi / 45 km @ 285 deg). We can get a couple UHF channels from Columbus (62 mi / 100 km @ 40 deg). (Distances are AIR distance, degrees are compass headings.)

Hello, RealGomer; welcome to the forum.

We don't have enough information to give you a good answer. Please post the link to a signal report from rabbitears.info. We previously used signal reports from TVFool, but they are not as accurate as they used to be. You can do a signal report here (I use coordinates from Google maps):
https://www.rabbitears.info/searchmap.php

A sample report from your part of OH might look like this:
https://www.rabbitears.info/searchma...tudy_id=204002

Note: a special "Digital / HDTV is not needed as the antenna doesn't care how the electromagnetic signal is formatted.

That's true.

In general, Omni antennas receive poorly in all directions.

What channels are most important to you?

[RealGomer]

Here you, Rabbut73.
https://www.rabbitears.info/searchma...tudy_id=204105

There's a lot of duplication but there's also a lot of unique programming. There are times when a station win Cincy will block or replace a program that Dayton or Columbus stiil has. Or I'll want to watch the Columbus Blue Jackets which isn't shown on Dayton or Cincy.

[JoeAZ]

WKRC, CBS 12 Cincy is the only major VHF station in your area.
I agree with Rabbit that so called "omni" antennas work poorly in all directions.
You are much too far away for reliable reception.
Here is what I would do:
From Lowes: I get two Televes V-Zenit antennas, model 149381.
Decide which set(s) which will receive Dayton. Yes, the antenna
is both VHF and UHF but it is a good antenna and a great buy.
Connect that Dayton antenna directly to the set(s) you want.

A second Televes V-Zenit antenna model 149381 aimed at
Cincy and connected to the Televes T-Force Dual input Preamp,
model 560483. The third antenna at DAT BOSS LR UHF only
antenna aimed at Columbus also connected to the T-Force
Dual input Preamp. This preamp is the only one I am aware
of where you can connect different antennas aimed in different
directions without the usual cancellation and other issues.
I cannot think of any less expensive, viable solution.....