Newbie help with antenna in NC

[steveuk42]

I could use some help at a good suggestion for an antenna. I have to mount it inside the attic due to HOA. Here is my Analysis (http://www.tvfool.com/?option=com_wrapper&Itemid=29&q=id%3d001b201ea8f797)

[GroundUrMast]

http://www.fcc.gov/guides/installing-consumer-owned-antennas-and-satellite-dishes

Your TV Fool report indicates "WARNING: Address was only resolved to street level and might not be that close to your actual location. For more accurate results, try entering a specific address or coordinates." You also indicate 25' AGL... is your home multiple stories? If so, that AGL will be fine. To be safe you may want to use the Interactive TV Maps (http://www.tvfool.com/?option=com_wrapper&Itemid=90) tool to zero in on your location.

How many sets will be connected?

[John Candle]

You do not have to mount the Tv antenna on the inside of the attic. http://www.fcc.gov/mb/facts/otard.html . this Federal Law is in effect now for 15 years , HOA's are well aware of this Federal Law , yet still try and scam people. This Federal Law says Yes you can install and use a antenna on the roof.

[John Candle]

Make the tvfool radar report the exact address. The exact address will not showup here for any one to see. The tvfool report will just show 'exact address'. . How many Tv's will be connected?? Are you connected to pay cable TV or pay satellite Tv now??

[John Candle]

How many Tv's will be connected??

[John Candle]

Your other post says the coax goes to 8 rooms. And your other post shows that the address is resolved to street level only. Do not make brand new separate and individual posts each time. Respond back here to this one.

[John Candle]

Are you connected to pay cable Tv or pay satellite Tv now??

[steveuk42]

I apologize for the dual post. I didn't see the other post show up for several hours so tried again.

Thanks for all the replies - here is the answer to the questions asked...

The address didn't resolve because its new construction and the address isn't on any maps yet, but the location is pretty close to where I am at.

I have 8 rooms I would like to send the signal too and assume I will need some kind of signal booster to do so.

The house is multiple stories, I put 25 ft in there because that was about how far off the attic was. Did I do that incorrectly?

I am not connected to satellite or cable and do not plan to for several years.

That's interesting about the HOA, I'll have to look into that. I think regardless I would like to mount it in the attic.

Thanks again.

[GroundUrMast]

Based on the information provided, an attic mounted antenna may be successful. I have to say maybe, because attics can be built with materials that reflect or absorb RF.

That said, I would try a mid sized UHF/high-VHF antenna. The Winegard HD7694P and Antennacraft HBU-33 or 44 for example.

Aimed at 196° (compass) you will get a fairly full lineup... but PBS and ION will not be stable if you see them at all. I would start with the one antenna and hope that my prediction re. PBS and ION is wrong... there's always a chance.

If you don't see PBS or ION and you 'need' either or both, TinLee.com is still in the business of building filters and antenna combiners. They would be a good source to check with if you are willing to invest in a dedicated antenna for each station.

I'd try using a passive 8-way splitter. You can add a preamp such as the Antennas Direct CPA-19 (http://www.amazon.com/Antennas-Direct-CPA19-ClearStream-Pre-Amplifier/dp/B000IGQGJ0/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=electronics&qid=1307921034&sr=1-1) or Winegard HDP-269 (http://www.amazon.com/Winegard-HDP-269-Preamplifier-Input-Antennas/dp/B001DFS4C2/ref=sr_1_1?s=electronics&ie=UTF8&qid=1307921088&sr=1-1) or a distribution amplifier such as the PCT-MA2-M (http://www.amazon.com/PCT-BI-DIRECTIONAL-AMPLIFIER-BOOSTER-PASSIVE/dp/B000F28DP2/ref=sr_1_3?s=electronics&ie=UTF8&qid=1307920663&sr=1-3) if it proves necessary. When an amplifier is needed, it's best to mount it as close to the antenna as is practical, this offers the best quality signal to the amplifier, providing a correspondingly higher quality signal down-stream.

[John Candle]

I also recommend the Winegard 7694P antenna pointed at about 196 degree magnetic compass , Here is how to point tv antennas , http://www.kyes.com/antenna/pointing/pointing.html. And I recommend a 8 way distribution amplifier , Channel Master CM 3418. Read and understand about , REAL Digital Broadcast Tv Channels , Virtual Digital Broadcast tv Channels , Analog Broadcast Tv Channels , http://forum.tvfool.com/showthread.php?t=695

[John Candle]

75 Ohm terminators need to be installed on any unused outputs of the distribution amplifier or if a coax is connected to a output of the distribution amplifier and other end of the coax has nothing connected to it , then put the terminator there. http://www.amazon.com/Ohm-Terminator-4-Pack-Cable-Connection/dp/B0016A986K

[John Candle]

Here are places to buy Tv antennas and etc. , http://www,solidsignal.com , http://www.3starinc.com , http://www.starkelectronic.com , http://www.amazon.com . Here are some free Tv guides , http://television.aol.com , http://www.zap2it.com , http://tv.yahoo.com , http://tv.entertainment.excite.com , http://www.titantv.com , http://www.tvzap.com