Cut the Cable $$$ Cord!

[ThndrSki]

I've decided that I'm tired of Verizon bending me over for all these years and going to drop cable...

Here's my location information:
http://www.tvfool.com/?option=com_wr...4033ec2e885f41

It appears everything I want is in a green area, so that is good. My setup is as follows:

1. 3 Rooms with Cable (split) - splitter in attic.
2. I would like to do an attic install (Tampa lightning, bad, also looks of the house)
3. Any other suggestions for free streaming, tech, etc? I have a PS3 with Netflix, Hulu.

First concern is to drop cable, but need antenna/setup q's and was wondering if an attic install would really be good. I have a regular flat shingle roof.

Any other suggestions about tech, would be greatly appreciated. New to the OTA hobby!

[Electron]

Install a Winegard MS1000 antenna above the roof. Here are some roof mounts , http://www.ronard.com/909911.html , http://www.ronard.com/34424560.html , http://www.ronard.com/ychim.html. Here are places to buy antennas and etc. , http://www.winegarddirect.com , http://www.solidsignal.com , http://www.amazon.com.

[ThndrSki]

Thanks for the antenna suggestion, but I would like to:


2. I would like to do an attic install (Tampa lightning, bad, also looks of the house)

[Tower Guy]

Originally Posted by ThndrSki

2. I would like to do an attic install

Attic installs are unpredictable. That said, you need a combo High VHF/UHF antenna that covers channels 7-49.

Suggested antennas would be
HBU-22
HBU-33
HD 7694P

Aim it at 133°. The data for WTSP is outdated, they are in the same direction as the other Tampa stations.

[GroundUrMast]

If you choose to install in the attic, use a larger, more directional and higher gain antenna. Attic and roof construction never helps reception and often severely limits it. TG's suggestion of the HD7694P is an excellent example.

I can not recommend an omnidirectional antenna, especially if you intend to attic mount. Omnis have little if any ability to deal with multipath interference, a very common problem in an attic installation.

[rickcain]

For attic mounts, bigger is better! If you can squeeze it in, do it. Long stick antennas may cause issues with rotators if the swath is too wide for your attic. Multi-bay bowtie antennas like the U8000, CM4228 are a bit better in this regard due to much smaller size at the slight cost of reception range.

If you have reflective insulation or radiant barrier sheathing or paint you will suffer severe reception issues.

If you are concerned about aesthetics of an outdoor, there are smaller antennas that can be mounted on the roof or hanging off the top side of the house like the Antennacraft U4000 that won't ruin your aesthetics, plus HOA's can't do anything about them since they stick to the 1 meter diameter limit.

You might look into free streaming services like Boxee, where you can convert a PC into a streaming media system. Sounds like you already know about Hulu. Subscription streaming services are quite reasonable if you are a video junkie, and provided you have a good DSL or cable connection. AT&T recently has instituted a 150GB/month limit on DSL, and 250GB limit on UVERSE internet, which can impact your viewing habits considerably.

[Electron]

Here is the truth , http://www.fcc.gov/mb/facts/otard.html. The 1 meter applies to the small satellite dishes , not Tv Antennas , Tv antennas can be Any Size to get reception. And even with the small dishes , no one but no one is going measure a small dish to see if it's over one meter.