OTA HDTV San Diego need lots of help

[importriders]

First off I am a complete noob and need help gettting started.

Here is my report:

http://www.tvfool.com/?option=com_wrapper&Itemid=29&q=id%3d9900bcffc9670f

1) Priority channels NBC, ABC, FOX, CBS, KUSI. CW would be nice but not necessary. I only care about HD signals.

2) Attic install in a one story home. Not much height in attic (~4' at most).

3) 2 televisions will be hooked up.

4) ~20 foot cable runs from antenna to TV's each.

My questions are what antenna(s) would you recommend, do I need an amplifier or rotor, what else would I need, etc?

Thanks in advance.

[Tower Guy]

My questions are what antenna(s) would you recommend, do I need an amplifier or rotor, what else would I need, etc?

Thanks in advance.

To avoid a rotator, get a VHF only antenna aimed at 216 degrees and a UHF only aimed at 160. Combine them with a UVSJ.

VHF only antenna Y5-7-13 or Y10-7-13:
UHF only antenna lots of choices, but I like to 91XG.

A preamp or distribution amp will be helpful.

[GroundUrMast]

It's not clear why you have chosen to mount in the attic. FWIW, the FCC prevents HOA rules and zoning regulations from interfering with your choice: http://www.fcc.gov/guides/over-air-reception-devices-rule#links

Metal and tile roofs make for very poor reception. Foil faced insulation also interferes a great deal.

If you have a wood framed roof and composition shingles, and choose to install in the attic, you'll want to use a fairly high gain antenna array.

I would suggest an Antennas Direct DB8 facing about 155° and an Antennacraft Y10713 pointing at 204°. Combine the two antennas using a UVSJ. The output of the UVSJ would feed a 2 port DA (CM-3412).

http://www.amazon.com/Antennas-Direct-DB8-Multi-Directional-Antenna/dp/B000EHWCDW/ref=sr_1_1?s=electronics&ie=UTF8&qid=1343083463&sr=1-1&keywords=db8
http://www.amazon.com/Antennas-Direct-EU385CF-Uhf-Combiner/dp/B002FXAHP8/ref=sr_1_3?s=electronics&ie=UTF8&qid=1343083502&sr=1-3&keywords=UVSJ
http://www.antennacraft.net/Antennas/AntennasVHF.html
http://www.amazon.com/PCT-International-CM3412-Channel-Splitter/dp/B001RCBX56/ref=sr_1_1?s=electronics&ie=UTF8&qid=1343083694&sr=1-1&keywords=CM3412

Depending on roof construction, CW may not be reliable.

Outside in the clear, you'll have stronger and higher quality signal available. (Strength and quality are not synonymous.)

[importriders]

It's not clear why you have chosen to mount in the attic. FWIW, the FCC prevents HOA rules and zoning regulations from interfering with your choice: http://www.fcc.gov/guides/over-air-reception-devices-rule#links

Metal and tile roofs make for very poor reception. Foil faced insulation also interferes a great deal.

If you have a wood framed roof and composition shingles, and choose to install in the attic, you'll want to use a fairly high gain antenna array.

I would suggest an Antennas Direct DB8 facing about 155° and an Antennacraft Y10713 pointing at 204°. Combine the two antennas using a UVSJ. The output of the UVSJ would feed a 2 port DA (CM-3412).

http://www.amazon.com/Antennas-Direct-DB8-Multi-Directional-Antenna/dp/B000EHWCDW/ref=sr_1_1?s=electronics&ie=UTF8&qid=1343083463&sr=1-1&keywords=db8
http://www.amazon.com/Antennas-Direct-EU385CF-Uhf-Combiner/dp/B002FXAHP8/ref=sr_1_3?s=electronics&ie=UTF8&qid=1343083502&sr=1-3&keywords=UVSJ
http://www.antennacraft.net/Antennas/AntennasVHF.html
http://www.amazon.com/PCT-International-CM3412-Channel-Splitter/dp/B001RCBX56/ref=sr_1_1?s=electronics&ie=UTF8&qid=1343083694&sr=1-1&keywords=CM3412

Depending on roof construction, CW may not be reliable.

Outside in the clear, you'll have stronger and higher quality signal available. (Strength and quality are not synonymous.)

I do live in a condo but I dont want a roof antenna primarily because of aesthetics and ease of installation. Would an attic install with the above equipment do the job?

[GroundUrMast]

The antennas suggested, by Tower Guy and myself are large, high-gain, fringe to deep fringe type antennas. If you can fit them into the space, they offer the best opportunity to maximize your potential reception.

Without knowing the construction of the roof, it's impossible to tell you what to expect. If your roof construction is of wood and composite materials, no metal... You have a very good chance being able to receive the signals highlighted in yellow on your report. Most attics make for difficult reception of the signals highlighted in red.

[teleview]

If the other antenna recommendations do not work out

Install a , http://www.antennasdirect.com/store/ClearStream-C2-VHF-Combo.html.

With a AntennasDirect , CPA-19 preamp.

Above the roof.

CS2 Complete UHF/VHF antenna aimed at about 145 degree magnetic compass.

Here is how aim antennas , http://www.kyes.com/antenna/pointing/pointing.html.

Here are some Above the roof antenna mounts , http://www.ronard.com/909911.html , http://www.ronard.com/34424560.html , http://www.ronard.com/ychim.html , http://www.ronard.com.

Buy the ronard antenna mounts at solidsignal by typing the word ronard in the solidsignal search box.

Here are some places to buy antennas and etc. , http://www.solidsignal.com , http://www.antennasdirect.com , http://www.amazon.com.

For 2 televisions hooked up.

http://www.hollandelectronics.com , also available at http://www.solidsignal.com.

HFS-2D , 2 way splitter.

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The Pomeranian that lives with me likes to swim in the lake.

[teleview]

Tv antennas receive the best when nothing is crowding in to reduce or block reception.

Trees and tree leaves are very good at reducing or blocking reception.

Buildings in the way of reception will reduce and block reception.

Aiming the antenna in to the roof of your house will reduce or block reception.

Mount the antenna in such a manner that there is the least amount of objects that will reduce or block reception.

The Tv's Must Channel Scan for the Digital Broadcast Tv Channels sometimes named the 'Air Channels' or 'Antenna Channels' in the Tv setup menu because the Tv transmissions travel through the air from the transmitting antenna to the receiving antenna.

DO NOT channel scan for cable tv channels.

________________________________________________________

The Pomeranian that lives with me likes to swim in the lake.