The coax used for satellite systems is often reused for OTA systems. It has more shielding than absolutely needed, but that will not cause any harm to the OTA signal. You'll need to be sure that water has not been allowed to get into the cable. You'll also need to be sure any other components designed for satellite systems only, are removed and replaced with OTA capable parts. For example, satellite system matrix switches, diplexers and splitters are often not able to pass OTA frequencies.
You certainly can build effective antennas. A great deal of the focus in the DIY antenna development community is on UHF and high-VHF antennas. You'll find a wealth of competent and capable design and build work at
http://www.digitalhome.ca/forum/forumdisplay.php?f=186
You'll be a bit hard pressed to find as much interest in low-VHF antenna design, due to the small number of stations using real channels 2 through 6. Still, construction of an effective low-VHF antenna is no more a technical challenge than one for the high-VHF band. If you have an understanding of the underlying theory and some skill with the tools, I'd encourage you to look at the DIY option further.
If you decide to use store bought antennas, I'd suggest a
Winegard HD7015 aimed between 250° and 265°, roof mounted in the best location to avoid trees. This would give you access to
KWQC,
WQAD,
KLJB,
WHBF, real CH-4,
WQPT,
KQIN and if on the air,
K61HD.
If you'd like to receive
WWTO, real CH-10 which carries five channels of various Christian programming, use an Antennacraft Y10713 aimed at 102° compass. A Channel Master Jointenna model CM-0580 (CH-10) from
Warren Electronics would allow you to combine the signals into a common coax down lead. (It would appear that Channel Master no longer lists Jointenna product on their website.)
Use a
CM-3418 eight-port distribution amplifier. Terminate unused ports with
75Ω F-terminators.