As always , attics Are Not a reception friendly environment and Never Will be a reception friendly environment.
Yes you can start with Antennas Direct DB4e antenna in the attic aimed at about 170 degree magnetic compass.
Here is how to aim antennas ,
http://www.kyes.com/antenna/pointing/pointing.html.
Do not use a preamplifier.
For 1 Tv connected use no splitter. No amplifier.
For 2 Tv's connected use a common simple 2 way splitter. No amplifier.
If there are reception issues on some channels then move the antenna to above the roof.
Here are some roof top 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.amazon.com.
As always , trees and tree leaves do a real fine job of reducing or blocking Tv reception and so do buildings and other obstructions including your own house.
It is best to install antenna/s at a location that has the least amount to no amount of obstructions of any type or kind in the directions of reception including your own house.
The Tv/s Must Channel Scan for the Digital Broadcast Tv Channel , 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.