Indoor vs. Attic vs. Outdoor antenna suggestion

lukepoll · 18-Aug-2011, 7:06 PM

Hello folks,

I just moved to south Houston and I would like to set up an OTA TV system. Here is the report from TVF:

The home is in a flat residential area, with no major obstruction from high rises or trees. The major airport is located 14 miles at 30deg azimuth (90deg apart from the antenna farm). The signals look quite strong so, like for most people, it comes down to the antenna that won’t overdo/underdo the job.

Here are the possibilities:

- Indoor: the closet where all the coax cable run can host a small directional antenna (Terk HDTVa or equivalent), but it would be pointed to the metal garage door across the wall.

- Attic: it is located right above the garage, but the roof is insulated with foil-backed barrier (TechShield). I may have access to a vinyl siding (with no foil) in the direction of the antenna farm, but I am not sure how much room I would have to install and aim the antenna. Would the foil barrier be a total signal killer?

- Outdoor: obviously the best solution, but I would avoid it because of greater simplicity of the previous ones and to avoid drilling the roof.

Without having tried any antenna before, I do not really know what to expect from any of the listed solutions, but I am sure you do. It would be great if you can suggest where to start from.

Thanks for your advice!!!
Luca

lukepoll · 18-Aug-2011, 7:14 PM

Hello folks,
I just moved to south Houston and I would like to set up an OTA TV system. Here is the report from TVF: http://www.tvfool.com/?option=com_wr...9e74014970f53e

The home is in a flat residential area, with no major obstruction from high rises or trees. The major airport is located 14 miles at 30deg azimuth (90deg apart from the antenna farm). The signals look quite strong so, like for most people, it comes down to the antenna selection that won’t overdo/underdo the job.

Here are the possibilities:

- Indoor: the closet can host a small directional antenna (Terk HDTVa or equivalent), but it would be pointed to the metal garage door.

- Attic: it is located right above the garage, but the roof is insulated with foil-backed barrier (TechShield). I may have access to a vinyl siding with no foil that faces the antenna farm general direction, but I am not sure how much room I have to install and aim the antenna. Would the Techshield be a total killer?

- Outdoor: obviously the best solution, but I would avoid for greater simplicity of the previous ones and to avoid drilling the roof.

Without having tried any antenna before, I do not really know what to expect from any of the listed solutions, but I am sure you do. It would be great if you suggest where to start from.

Thanks for your advice!!!
Luca

lukepoll · 18-Aug-2011, 10:53 PM

Sorry for the duplicated message....

chrisrobey77 · 18-Aug-2011, 11:00 PM

You have a lot of strong channels. Have you tried an indoor antenna?

lukepoll · 18-Aug-2011, 11:07 PM

I have not tried an indoor antenna yet, principally because I am concerned about the garage door with anti-hurricane metal beams which is right where the antenna would be pointing to. Would that be a concern?

chrisrobey77 · 18-Aug-2011, 11:25 PM

You have some really strong signals. Depending on which channels you want to receive even a simple pair of rabbit ears would work in your location. I've made an antenna out of a coat hanger that would work with the signal strength your plot shows.

coco · 18-Aug-2011, 11:37 PM

There is a lot of usefull info for nubies on this site:

http://www.dennysantennaservice.com/...lp_center.html

GroundUrMast · 19-Aug-2011, 12:57 AM

A simple, inexpensive non-amplified 'rabbit-ears' style antenna will work well indoors if the garage door is not made of sheet-metal (wood with metal reinforcement will usually be OK).

The RCA ANT-121 is an example. ($12.56 @ Amazon, free shipping)

To receive the high-VHF channels, set the rods close to parallel to the ground and extend the rods equally so that the tips are about 30 inches apart. Aim by pointing one tip to the NE and the other to the SW.

Rabbit ears can be placed in the attic also (presuming the roof is not covered in metal).

John Candle · 19-Aug-2011, 2:31 AM

Here are Non Amplified indoor antennas http://forum.tvfool.com/showthread.php?t=233 , Aim the indoor antenna at about 288 degree magnetic compass , Here is how to aim indoor antennas , http://www.kyes.com/antenna/pointing/pointing.html

John Candle · 19-Aug-2011, 2:41 AM

Also 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 . And here are places to buy antennas and etc. , http://www.solidsignal.com , http://www.amazon.com , http://www.starkelectronic.com , http://www.3starinc.com

John Candle · 19-Aug-2011, 2:48 AM

Here are some but not all , free tv guides , http://www.zap2it.com , http://www.tv.yahoo.com , http://television.aol.com , http://tv.entertainment.excite.com , http://www.titantv.com , http://www.tvzap.com

John Candle · 19-Aug-2011, 2:56 AM

Tech shield is real popular in Texas. I think you will find that it blocks most of the Tv transmissions. For a outdoor antenna I recommend a Winegard HD7000R antenna and this antenna mount , http://www.ronard.com/34424560.html , no holes in the roof.

lukepoll · 19-Aug-2011, 1:38 PM

Thanks a lot, guys...you have been very helpful!

Bummer...the garage door is made of sheet metal, so the indoor antenna solution is probably compromised, although it may deserve a shot anyway. If you discourage even a first try in the closet, I will probably consider the Techshield-free sport in the attic with a monodirectional, non-amplified antenna. Which one do you think is the best around?

Do you know the return policy of Amazon, in case the antenna that I choose does not work at all?

Thanks!

GroundUrMast · 19-Aug-2011, 4:07 PM

If your attic construction is free of signal 'killing' metal, an Antennacraft HBU33 or Winegard HD7694P would be premium solution options to consider.

The Antennacraft product can be easier to fold down if you need to remove it from the attic. The Winegard will possibly last longer outdoors.

John Candle · 19-Aug-2011, 6:57 PM

I do not recommend the AntennaCraft HBU VHF/UHF series antennas , reasons , much lower gain figures and the antennas are longer and the aluminum and plastic is thiner and less durable then the Winegard antennas. Winegard HD769XP series antennas are heavy duty and well built. I am not saying that all AntennaCraft antennas are - less - it's the HBU VHF/UHF series.

GroundUrMast · 20-Aug-2011, 12:38 AM

With noise margins running in the mid 40's to over 70 dB, gain is not of paramount concern. Possible damage to the Winegard (because it is quite difficult to fold back down) in the event it needs to come back out of the attic is a reason to go with the Antennacraft... in the attic.