Antenna suggestions, not too hard, not too easy
 

http://www.tvfool.com/?option=com_wr...d243ce2e8ba4e7

That's the map link. I'm up on a hill, antenna is in the attic and unfortunately firing south, back into the hillside a bit. Not much, just grazing the top and then probably pretty clear sight to Philly. Probably 60' of cable from antenna to Tivo.

I have tried a Winegard 6010 that I had in stock for FM needs and that actually did OK. All channels came in, but with bad breakup. Obviously just beyond the limit. Next I tried an Esky HG-981. It was a piece of junk to be sure but it is working remarkably well. A bit of break up in bad weather, but the biggest issue is I lost channel 6.1 (I'm confused about that, I thought it was all supposed to be UHF now). The internal line amp helped a bit I'm sure. The only other channel snafu is I'm grabbing 29 on it's alternate local channel frequency of 38, but Tivo has no channel info for that channel. Not a big deal.

Looking next at Winegard HD7694P but the boom length is going kill my attic storage. Would prefer to stay at about 60" boom length.

So any thoughts? Honestly it's good enough now that I could just leave it and give up Channel 6. I'm not a fan of the Esky though. It's got a 100' of coax permanently attached, is cheap and I'm not using the rotation of it at all. Would prefer something a bit bigger and with a normal setup that I can attach my own coax too and insert a quality line amp if needed.

Thanks in advance!

If your handy you could build a DB4 using one of McClapp's designs. Mine works better than I could have ever expected. I've read that people with them in attics do very well with them. (Mine is roof top.)

http://m4antenna.eastmasonvilleweather.com/

Nope, that was never the plan. That's one of those urban myths that won't die.

You have VHF channels 6 & 12, then everything else is on UHF. If you make the antenna suggested, you will probably forgo one or both of them.

Do NOT use an amplifier, most will likely overload as you have several stations less than 4 miles away.

Ahh, like plasma leaking out of the TVs......

If I'm understanding that DIY thread it's a vertical bowtie rather than a horizontal directional Yagi. Interesting.

Channel 12 is a non issue. I will also forego channel 6 if needed. We just aren't serial TV watchers. Lots of Netflix and DVDs, but not much broadcast.

You could use either a vertical 4-bay bowtie style or a UHF Yagi. Examples from our product lineup would be the DB4e and the 42XG respectively.

Be prepared to try alternate mounting locations within your attic. Signals will not be uniform throughout it and patience will be a virtue.

OK. That's a tough call. The bowtie could go against the far wall of the attic, which faces due south, and take up no space. But if I have to come off that wall, then the yagi would actually be more maneuverable to different places in the attic. I'd also be tempted to use a couple DIY wires and a combiner to try and grab channel 6 just to have it. I am completely willing to forego channel 6, but I'm also a stubborn SOB that doesn't like to give up :)

So today, channel 29 on either frequency is unwatchable. Heavy fog and light rain. Definitely need more gain.

Attics can be acceptable antenna mounting locations if you're lucky. They can be horrible black holes also.

Consider testing reception outdoors. You'll avoid the signal attenuation of the roof deck and/or walls as well as reduce the amount of electronic noise generated by the various electrically power equipment in the home.