Help in choosing antenna and point to the right direction

[kuroinemu]

First off, I want to say thank you for everybody that helps out.

I have read some of the posts but I'm still lost. My location is below:

http://www.tvfool.com/?option=com_wr...0b866599836136

I bought a ClearStream 2 but I haven't been serious in using it since I have been receiving SD channels through my cable because I have internet from Comcast but I recently lost them about two weeks ago. So, in the last two weeks, I have gone through some posts and am now pointing at roughtly 95 degrees (according to my Android's app - Smart Compass) because this is where I'm getting good signals to receive CW and FOX. According to my Tivo Premiere, I am receiving CW at about 55 signal strength and the rest below 45. To me, this translates to one channel (CW) is perfect and the rest are getting some to a lot of pixelation and interrupted signals.

I am willing to buy another antenna or a pre-amp/amp but I cannot mount it on the roof due to HOA/renting rules. I would like to receive these channels, in the order of importance, perfectly or as perfect as it can get - CW, FOX, CBS, NBC, ABC.

I was looking into buying Winegard 7898 but the boom length is too long to fit into my attic. There's also a Fry's Electronics nearby that sells a Channel Master 2020 and Winegard 7897.

So after the long-winded explanation, here's my primary questions:
1) What antenna and/or amp should I buy? I would like to spend less than $200 please.
2) Am I correct in pointing at 95 degrees?

Thanks again for reading and/or replying.

[Electron]

If as you say you have read other posts then you know about the Federal Law that says Yes you can install and use a antenna on the roof no mater what the hoa says. Here is the Federal Law , http://www.fcc.gov/mb/facts/otard.html. The owner of the house in your situation is the one that decides if a antenna is put on the roof or not. That said. If the antenna must go in the attic then pointing the antenna at about 95 degree magnetic compass is a good aim point. Here is how to aim antennas , http://www.kyes.com/antenna/pointing/pointing.html. Install a Winegard HD7696P antenna with a Antennas Direct CPA-19 preamp in the attic , the HD7696P antenna will hopefuly fit in the attic space and aim in the correct direction. Most attics have a electric outlet , so put the preamp and the preamp power supply in the attic. Here are some places to buy antennas and etc. , http://www.winegarddirect.com , http://www.solidsignal.com , http://www.amazon.com , http://www.ramelectronics.com , http://www.tigerdirect.com. If the owner of the house decides that the antenna can go on the roof then 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 mounts from solidsignal by typing the word ronard in the solidsignal search box. ( Now Back To The Attic ) If the house does not have a metal roof and does not have stucko WIRE on the outside walls then the reception should be Ok for the digital tv stations/channels in the green and yellow reception zones of the tvfool radar map. With the antenna in the attic. If the aim of the antenna in the attic is at a outside wall that has stucko Wire , then try and aim the antenna through the roof if the roof has standard composition shingles or clay tiles.

[kuroinemu]

Thank you again Electron for your reply.

I read it and I may have misunderstood when it said that:
"..the rules do not permit you to install an antenna on a common area, such as a walkway, hallway, community garden, exterior wall or the roof.."
The other exclusive area that I can put the antenna is on my back patio which is on the ground level which will probably not be as much help compared to my attic.

Another question that I have is if I were to go buy the Winegard HD7697P, I would not need to buy the preamp because it comes with an amp already, correct?

[Electron]

The use of the words , HOA/renting rules , HOA = Home Owner Association. And renting rules , led me the believe that this is house or condo that you are renting from the owner. So is this a , house , condo , apartment , mobile home or etc. ?? The HD7697P antenna does not come with a amplifier unless you are buying from a business that is selling the antenna and amp. as some kind of package deal. I still recommend the CPA-19 preamp because of it's resistance to over load from interfering signals that there will be more of in the attic. And also the CPA-19 consistent and stable gain over a wide range of tv channels.

[Tower Guy]

Originally Posted by kuroinemu

1) What antenna and/or amp should I buy? I would like to spend less than $200 please.
2) Am I correct in pointing at 95 degrees?

1. The C-2 that you have is a UHF only antenna. ABC and PBS are on VHF channels. Add a VHF only Y5-7-13 to your existing C-2 using a UVSJ splitter-joiner. With shipping, the cost should be roughly $50.

2. Yes, 95° is close enough.

[kuroinemu]

I am renting a townhome but it has HOA. When we first moved in, I was going to have AT&T U-verse and I did ask the HOA. They told me that I can drill holes into the townhome but the wirings must not show/deface the look of the house. So it's ok in my back patio but if it shows on the outside where everybody can see it, it's a no-no. I'll go ask again if it's possible for the antenna. I have gone around the community and have not seen even any satellite dish so it may be that they're really strict on this.

I am actually receiving all the channels now that I want, including ABC and PBS, but with lots of interference. I will buy the CPA19 and try it first with C2 and see if it increases all the channels including the VHF. If it doesn't, then I'll either buy the 7696 or 7697.

[Electron]

Read the Federal Law and understand the difference of single family homes , condo's , townhomes and apartments.