Antenna suggestion for my area

[MystrE]

New poster here and I'm glad I found this site. I live a little north of Baton Rouge, La. and am planning on dropping my DirecTV... if I can get a reliable signal for OTA broadcasting. I've got woods behind my house so I don't know exactly how high I'll have to go with a mast.
Any suggestions?
http://www.tvfool.com/?option=com_wr...2c1595fd8fd10d

[timgr]

Hi - Signal is pretty strong for the stations around 223 magnetic. I'd rerun the report with an exact street address - use the "Start Maps" on the front page, and adjust to your exact location. Then select the button "make radar plot." Your address will not be included in the final plot.

Had you planned to mount the antenna on the roof? Getting above any close-in trees will be worthwhile. See "Trees and UHF" here - http://www.hdtvprimer.com/antennas/siting.html You should be able to get the Baton Rouge stations down the list to KBPN or so with a modest rooftop antenna like the ANT751 http://www.amazon.com/RCA-ANT751-Dur.../dp/B0024R4B5C - as long as you aren't obstructed in the direction of the stations by trees or buildings or such.

Of course, you can go bigger if you want to. Possible you could pick up some New Orleans stations with more antenna and height.

[MystrE]

Thanks for your reply! Unfortunately, trees will be an issue since a mature wooded area comes up to my back yard. The antenna would have to be pointed in the direction of the woods. I would consider mounting in my attic as that would get me fairly high, or at least higher than what I would want to do with an outside mast. Here is a link that is a more accurate location map.
http://www.tvfool.com/?option=com_wr...2c15e12c85490e

[ADTech]

You will be at the mercy of whatever the trees and your attic does to the signals. You can anticipate that wet and windy weather will be the worst.

[MystrE]

The wooded area behind my house has trees that are pretty tall and most of them stay green during the winter. If height is going to be my friend, then a mast would probably have to go up at least to 25 feet or more to give me a chance at receiving OTA signals. FWIW, I don't see hardly any outside antennas in our subdivision and that could be an indication as to potential problems with receiving OTA television in our area.

[timgr]

No harm in trying the lower height if you want - as long as you are committed to more height if it does not work out.

I don't see how an attic installation can give you more height than a mast on the roof. A 10.5' chain link fence top rail (from the home center) is an inexpensive and sturdy mast that can be placed on your roof with a roof bracket and guy wires, tripod, eave bracket, wall brackets, chimney mount... lots of possibilities to take advantage of your roof configuration.

NB the ANT751 is a good value but a modest antenna, so if you have adverse conditions to overcome like an attic installation or lots of trees, going bigger will improve your chances. But the ANT751 should be fine for you in an unobstructed free-air installation.

Notice that your results are somewhat worse at your true location. Try more height.