It is always a risk to go onto a roof.
The balun attaches direct to the antenna wing nuts and outputs the 75 ohm coax. I suppose antenna can get high resistance where the elements swing out. Simply moving in and out might help that. Usually the elements snap off, not corrode off.
Baluns can go bad, I seen them get wet and corrode. Maybe when snow goes away, someone will be willing to go up and change it out. We went through 2 baluns in 6 years at my wife's fathers house. My balun has been replaced once in 15 years. You unbolt the antenna pole and lower antenna to roof.
Your roof angle does not look steep. Roofer trick is to use foam cushions, they give great grip onto the roof. If the shingles have lots of loose stone that's not good for walking up there. Use soft rubber shoes for a good grip.
I will have to wait until it gets warm and dry. I am thinking about getting one of this http : // i.dslr. net/syms/be3f390b7b308fabef5251db9041f880.jpg for my ladder.
I did program it correctly. Right now I am using a regular indoor antenna next to the tv. I get 10 channels but not very clear. I am supposed to get all the following channels:
Strong Signal WNLO CW 23-1 UHF
Strong Signal WUTV FOX 29-1 UHF
Strong Signal WGRZ NBC 2-1 UHF
Strong Signal WIVB CBS 4-1 UHF
Strong Signal WNED PBS 17-1 UHF
Strong Signal WKBW ABC 7-1 UHF
Strong Signal WNYO MYTV 49-1 UHF
Strong Signal WBBZ unknown 67-1 Hi-V
Strong Signal WNYB IND 26-1 UHF
Moderate Signal WPXJ ION 51-1 UHF
The website says that I need an "Outdoor Medium Range Digital TV Antenna" for my location. I am not sure if
a) I should buy a new outdoor antenna or b) try using the existing antenna or c) create my own DYI HD Antenna. I saw some videos online on how to create your own HD Antenna. I guess the cheapest would be to trying fixing the exiting antenna....maybe the balun did go bad. I just don't know if buying a new antenna is going to give me any better results for the money.
Any suggestions?