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Old 4-Jan-2014, 4:17 AM   #5
StephanieS
Senior Member
 
Join Date: Aug 2012
Posts: 442
No, the majority of broadcast stations in the US are now UHF(channels 14 and up). Some high VHF channels (7-13) are in many markets. For example, in Detroit your FOX affiliate broadcasts on real channel 7. There is also a Daystar affiliate on real channel 8. Other than these two licesees, Detroit's TV broadcasters transmit on UHF.

There is also what is called low-band VHF which includes real channels 2 - 6. Detroit doesn't have stations using these channels so we don't need to worry about them much. These are less common than high-VHF broadcasts these days, however some markets still retain low-VHF broadcasts in more crowded areas.

The attic is the only option? Are you concerned with homeowners association rules? If so, there are people here that can tell you how to beat them.

I'll declare my bias out of the gate. I dislike attic installations immensely. That said, if that is your intent I would suggest that you go with a more aggressive antenna as you have correctly noted. Attics and roofs (think solid materials!) are environments which can cause multi-path, subject your antenna to household electronic interference and most damagingly, weaken a reliable outdoor signal to where it is unreliable indoor. This includes green shaded signals. Attics are just that unpredictable.

That said, I would go with a Antennacraft HBU33 if you can fit it the attic http://www.solidsignal.com/pview.asp...na-%28hbu33%29. It is a more robust antenna that for outdoors is overkill for Detroit only, but in the attic it might be just right.

Orientate the antenna at magnetic 327 and do a tuner scan and see what you get. I can't predict reception due to attic conditions. All you can do is try it and see if it provides adequate reception for your needs.

I would not order a preamp until you test the antenna in the attic and have a performance baseline. There is fair amount of signal in the air. If you have reception issues, I would suggest testing alternate locations within the attic before installing a preamp.

I'm glad you understand the risks with attic installations. I see many people on amazon trashing antennas when they don't get the reception they desire. Often times, it is attic installations or improper installations that don't yield desired results. As long as you know you are putting the antenna in a less than idea reception situation, that's all I can ask.

Last edited by StephanieS; 4-Jan-2014 at 6:52 AM.
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