Getting ready to cut the cord! Antenna Selection Help...

[good1dave]

Here is my TV Fool Report:
http://www.tvfool.com/?option=com_wrapper&Itemid=29&q=id%3d46aee0961df39d

I am most interested in getting NBC, ABC, & CBS....anything else is just icing on the cake. I was able to pick up 13 channels with a crude antenna I made and stuck on top of my TV. Could get CBS this way (kinda flakey though), and no NBC or ABC. Lots of other channels came in great (FOX, PBS, the CW, etc) - and most were high def.

Unfortunately it will be an attic install, cannot convince my wife otherwise. I am trying to stick with equipment that is Amazon Prime stuff in case something doesn't work out (easy returns).

I'm thinking about this model antenna:
http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B001DFZ5G0/ref=ox_sc_act_title_1?ie=UTF8&psc=1&smid=ATVPDKIKX0DER

I'm thinking about this mount:
http://www.amazon.com/Antennas-Direct-STM-715-30-Inch-Antenna/dp/B000WOVD1Y/ref=pd_cp_e_3

We have 5 TVs, eventually I want to hook them all up. This is a small-ish house (1600 sq ft), so no really long cable runs (most shouldn't be more than 20-30 ft the way it's laid out). I'm I bit confused on what I might need to split up the signal (once I get a solid lock on the stations). Splitters, pre-amps, etc.....I'm I bit lost here. I can run the cable pretty much however is best, if it all needs to come from one splitter or whatever - I can make it happen.

Thanks for the advise!

[teleview]

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To receive the Digital Broadcast Tv Stations/Channels down the channel list , NBC , ABC , CBS , down to and including ,

WDSI-DT REAL UHF Channel 40 , virtual number (61.1) , FOX.

Is Very Weak Signal Strength and has 2 Edge Path obstructions.

Recommend step up to the Big Winegard HD7698P antenna.

Above the Peak of the Roof in such a manner that the roof and building are not , obstructing , impeding , blocking , reception in the directions of , North , East North , West , South West.

Install the HD7698P antenna aimed at about 2 degree magnetic compass direction.

Here is how to aim antennas , http://www.kyes.com/antenna/pointing.html.

Use a Real and Actual magnetic compass to aim antenna.

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Install a RCA , TVPRAMP1R preamplifier.

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For 1 Tv connected use No splitter.

For 2 Tv's connected use a , Holland Electronics , HFS-2D , 2 way splitter.

For 3 Tv's connected use a , Holland Electronics , HFS-3D , 3 way splitter.

For 4 Tv's connected use a , Holland Electronics , HFS-4D , 4 way splitter.

Buy the , HFS-2D , HFS-3D , HFS-4D , splitters at , http://www.solidsignal.com , or , http://www.hollandelectronics.com.

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Here are some Strong and Sturdy antenna mounts.

http://www.ronard.com/909911.html.
Use the , ronard(911) , 5 foot tripod antenna mount.

http://www.ronard.com/34424560.html.
Use the , ronard(4560) eave antenna mount.

http://www.ronard.com/ychim.html.
Measure around the chimney and use a , ronard(2212) , ronard(2218) , ronard(2224) .

Buy the ronard antenna mounts at , http://www.solidsignal.com , by typing , ronard(x) , in the solidsignal search box , or , buy from , http://www.ronard.com.

[coco]

here are a couple of sites with useful info for nubies:

http://www.crutchfield.com/learn/learningcenter/home/antenna.html?showAll=N
http://dennysantennaservice.com/tv-antenna-help-center.html
http://dennysantennaservice.com/1170980.html

[bytor]

here are a couple of sites with useful info for nubies:

http://www.crutchfield.com/learn/learningcenter/home/antenna.html?showAll=N
http://dennysantennaservice.com/tv-antenna-help-center.html
http://dennysantennaservice.com/1170980.html

If you use the FCC data just be aware I have found this to be not even close to accurate. It says I get nothing for my zip which is wrong.

[good1dave]

Many thanks Ladies & Gentleman for these valuable resources you have shared!

Do you think my antenna choice will be a good one? I realize it's hard to say, especially with the attic install - but I just want to be sure that I'm in the right ball-field, at the very least.

Thanks again for the time/trouble.

[bytor]

Many thanks Ladies & Gentleman for these valuable resources you have shared!

Do you think my antenna choice will be a good one? I realize it's hard to say, especially with the attic install - but I just want to be sure that I'm in the right ball-field, at the very least.

Thanks again for the time/trouble.

I could not tell you. Noob here. Gonna have to wait for some experts to chim in.

[GroundUrMast]

The Winegard 7697 you've proposed is in the class of antennas you'll need to consider. The 7698 suggested by teleview is the next notch up in performance.

The deciding factor in reception reliability may lie in your ability to avoid obstructions in the path between your antenna and the transmitters. Mount high, and clear of obstructions such as trees if possible.

I would not use a J-pole to support a large antenna such as the 769X types. Use a chimney mount, eve-bracket or tripod.

[good1dave]

I got Fox with no issues with my dinky 2 foot long homemade antenna sitting in the living room....stupid question, but why then, might I have issues getting that with the big antenna in the attic

Also, Fox isn't much of a concern to me - just NBC, ABC, & CBS.

as far as mounting goes, since it's in the attic and I don't have to account for wind/weather - the J mount would still be too weak?

Thanks for being patient with a noob. :D