Help for newbie in NC

[pabloj13]

I got tired of paying for 300 channels that I don't watch so I want to just get my locals OTA. I am renting the place and the landlord doesn't want anything on the roof, but I can use the attic. This is my information:
http://www.tvfool.com/?option=com_wr...da32e959183f4b

I really only need to get the locals coming out of Raleigh (127 degrees). Do you guys have a recommendation for an antenna? Do I need a preamp if I am only splitting to two TV's with a total run of maybe 40-50 feet?

Thanks for your help!

[pabloj13]

Solid Signal recommended the Antennas Direct C4 ClearStream4 Outdoor Digital HD TV Antenna (C4).

[John Candle]

Is this a house or a apt. type building ? Is structure wrapped with any type or kind of metal such as metal siding or stucko with stucko wire ? Are the walls made out of poured concrete ? Does the structure have a metal roof ?

[pabloj13]

Originally Posted by John Candle

Is this a house or a apt. type building ? Is structure wrapped with any type or kind of metal such as metal siding or stucko with stucko wire ? Are the walls made out of poured concrete ? Does the structure have a metal roof ?

Two-story house. Frame construction. Single-layer asphalt shingles. Wood/masonite siding. Thanks!

[John Candle]

I recommend the Antennacraft U8000 antenna , directed at about 128 magnetic compass. The channels at your location are in the UHF and the high part of the VHF high band channel 11. This antenna will work fine for UHF and VHF High. This antenna does not have much in the way of reflectors , so the UHF stations that are on the back side of the antenna will be received , like WUNC 25 PBS. . Read and understand this about Real and Virtual Tv Channels.

[Tigerbangs]

Another totally baffling recommendation from John Candle: Why would you use a UHF-only antenna when there is an important VHF high-band station in the market? No one would ever recommend using a UHF antenna in such a situation, especially in an attic situation where there is NO DIRECT line of sight!

I suggest using a VHF-high-band plus UHF antenna like an AntennaCraft HBU-33 or a Winegard HD-7694P mounted in the attic, suspended in such a way that it can be fully extended and not have the elements touching any surrounding materials. Aim the antenna at 135 degrees by using a compass, and you will see all the R-D stations.

[Dave Loudin]

John, while it is true that bow-tie arrays can have positive gain on high-VHF channels, that gain is typically no more than 3 dBi, is limited to only a few channels in the band, and VSWR is a big problem.

An attic install with a 1-edge path, despite the high NM, requires a properly designed high-VHF antenna. Some modelling data to back this up is here and corresponding test data is here.