Need Antenna Recommendations Please

[stevgret]

Here is my report:

http://www.tvfool.com/?option=com_wrapper&Itemid=29&q=id%3d9e74bb40055de4

I live in a 2 story frame house and I cannot receive any TV stations via an indoor rabbit ear antenna. I would prefer to mount an antenna in the attic as my subdivision does not permit outside antennas. I am not opposed to mounting multiple antennas if necessary to receive as many different stations as possible. Thanks

[GroundUrMast]

You will find that the FCC is on your side regarding installation and use of a receiving antenna. http://www.fcc.gov/guides/over-air-reception-devices-rule

Your success in the attic will be limited, signal levels are low enough to make reliable reception very difficult especially when the roof is wet or covered with snow. If you decide to try, expect to need the largest available antennas. A roof mounted Antennas Direct XG-91 would not be overkill if you are trying to receive the weaker signals in the red section of your report.

You may want to look closely at the size of the XG91, then decide if you want to try one in your attic.

If you are using or considering home theater PC technology, consider the following multi-antenna option: http://forum.tvfool.com/showthread.php?t=820

If the multi-tuner HTPC option looks like something you want to pursue, specific antenna recommendations can be made.

[No static at all]

I agree with GUM that anything less than an outdoor antenna will likely provide dissapointing results. My minimum recommendation would be the Winegard 7694 (http://www.google.com/search?q=winegard+7694&sourceid=ie7&rls=com.microsoft:en-us:IE-SearchBox&ie=&oe=&rlz=1I7ADFA_en#q=winegard+7694&hl=en&rls=com.microsoft:en-us:IE-SearchBox&rlz=1I7ADFA_en&prmd=ivns&source=univ&tbm=shop&tbo=u&sa=X&ei=nMNbTpi-JajL0QGKoJT7BQ&ved=0CDYQrQQ&bav=on.2,or.r_gc.r_pw.&fp=abaf586181cab1d4&biw=1024&bih=524)aimed at Richmond with a Channel Master 7777 pre-amp (http://www.google.com/search?q=channel+master+7777&sourceid=ie7&rls=com.microsoft:en-us:IE-SearchBox&ie=&oe=&rlz=1I7ADFA_en#q=channel+master+7777&hl=en&rls=com.microsoft:en-us:IE-SearchBox&rlz=1I7ADFA_en&prmd=ivns&source=univ&tbm=shop&tbo=u&sa=X&ei=1MNbTrCSJ-Xg0QGR9KyUCQ&ved=0CIgBEK0E&bav=on.2,or.r_gc.r_pw.&fp=abaf586181cab1d4&biw=1024&bih=524). The antenna should provide you with all the major networks & maybe the CW from Ashland.

The recommended antenna is very small & should be inconspicuous to anyone that may be offended by it's presence. Those HOA people need to get a life.

[John Candle]

HOA's have been aware of this Federal Law for a long time and keep there mouth shut about it so they can scam people in to thinking they can't put a antenna on the roof. http://www.fcc.gov/mb/facts/otard.html. Think about it , antennas are made of aluminum and plastic , if some one dislikes or even hates aluminum and plastic what does that say about that person. Do people dislike or even hate the vent pipes that stick up out of the roof?? Do people dislike or even hate the air conditioning units that are on the roofs of houses?? And if so , Are these people crazy , and do crazy people run our lives?? HOA's are the low life scum of the universe.

[John Candle]

Attic reception Will NOT be good. I recommend a Winegard HD7694P antenna with a Winegard HDP-269 preamp. mounted outside. Aimed at about 183 degree magnetic compass. Here is how to aim antennas , http://www.kyes.com/antenna/pointing/pointing.html. Here are antenna mounts , http://www.ronard.com/909911.html , http://www.ronard.com/34424560.html , http://www.ronard.com/ychim.html

[John Candle]

Here are places to buy the HD7694P antenna and etc. , http://www.solidsignal.com , http://www.amazon.com , http://www.3starinc.com.

[John Candle]

The usual , NBC , ABC , CBS , PBS , will be received. Also will be received will be , http://www.fox.com , http://www.cwtv.com , http://www.mynetworktv.com , http://www.thistv.com , http://www.tcncountry.com , http://www.antennatv.tv. And a local weather channel.

[stevgret]

Thanks for the advice-I am currently lining up someone to install an antenna on my masonry chimney (since my 28 foot extension ladder is not long enough for the job). Just for fun I did a little experiment this weekend. I have a large FM yagi antenna in my attic (5' or 6' boom) that I took down from the attic and and hooked up directly (via a 6' coax) to a small portable television. Standing in the front of my yard, I held the antenna over my head and pointed it south-I was able to receive CBS, FOX, weather, country music, etc-but just barely as the stations tended to drop out if I moved.

Hopefully, with a higher gain antenna; a pre-amp to overcome the cabling losses, and the additional height of a chimney mount I will be able to pull in all these stations without dropouts. I will update this thread once I get a permanently installed antenna. Thanks again.

[GroundUrMast]

...
Hopefully, with a higher gain antenna; a pre-amp to overcome the cabling losses, and the additional height of a chimney mount I will be able to pull in all these stations without dropouts. I will update this thread once I get a permanently installed antenna. Thanks again.

All of those factors will be working in your favor.