David,
hdtvlabs has identified the front (point toward Xmitter) end of your Antenna, now...
Without an ID/model, where you can look up the specs for range, you're just going to have to do "trial n error".
Do a "look up" of the available Xmitters, using the distance in miles, that you are from the ESB.
Print it out !
Hopefully, the Antenna is hefty enough to make the distance, it sorta looks like it's medium range, which should get you 30 miles or so.
Given the "field of view" of most Antennas like yours, pointing it upward won't be necessary, but, direction/Azimuth WILL!
Check your printout for direction/Azimuth, if there are several Xmitters, pick the one in the middle of the group.
Got a Compass, USE IT, and make sure that the Boom of the Antenna, is right on line with the ESB. (like shown above, narrow end toward ESB)
Keep in mind, you need to back off about five or so feet from any Metal surface/parts, or it will effect the direction of the Compass Pointer.
Now, crank the system up, do an Autoscan, and see what you got!
Now, check out what you got, to what's out there. Note where the Xmitters are placed on the Printout.
IF you aren't getting ones that you want, see if they are either right or left of the direction you Pointed to, and move the Antenna A LITTLE !!!
The farther you are away from the Towers, the MORE effect left/right movement will have.
At 30 miles, just 1° of Azimuth change, will be several thousand feet, BUT, the Field of View of your Antenna, will allow that.
Keep in mind, what you add to one side, you take off from the other, you only got so much "window" on the Antenna.
Ok, just in case you took offense, I was just kidding about your Antenna in my previous post. I enjoy some frivolity (within reason) when Posting, and don't mean to make anyone mad. Fact is, I enjoy making what I got work, and it's specially gratifying when it's old, and you make it work good. I'm a died in the wool Gadgeteer, and am pretty sure that old piece will probably make the trip, with some TLC.
Tip:
I haven't had much luck mixing Twin Lead and Coax. If I were you, I'd take that Balun and Coax all the way up to the Antenna, and just get rid of the Twin Lead compleetly. Given that most of our stuff isn't all that old, a good bet is that you can use 75 ohm all the way on it, and get a better signal strength.
Remember, we're doing Digital here, it's not like Analog where you could "barely" pick up a Station. Digital stations will either be there or not, there's very little room for error. Most times when you have sound drop out or pixelization, it's cause the Xmitter isn't strong, and less likely that you're off center with it.
Again I must appologize, i may have gone into some very basic detail here, much of which you may already know. SO many people read these Posts, and those have varying degrees of ability and knowledge, that i find that a few extra words just to make sure, are well given.
Hope this helps, and keep us updated on it !
Have a good Day !
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