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Old 22-Aug-2012, 1:50 AM   #1
jlax47
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Antenna Selection Help - Attic Installation Preferred - Bristow, VA

Hi All,

I'd like some help picking an antenna for an attic installation (if possible). I'd prefer an attic installation for a variety of reasons: we have very strong winds at times (60 - 75 mph gusts), it would be hidden from sight, I'm worried about the roof leaking (either from the cable or the screws/lags from the mount), etc.

Here is my tvfool report: http://www.tvfool.com/?option=com_wr...9900667205b1da

As far as channels we are concerned with: We would prefer to receive at least 1 of NBC, CBS, ABC, FOX, CW, PBS. Anything else would be a bonus.

Any advice is appreciated.

Thanks,
Jared
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Old 22-Aug-2012, 3:11 AM   #2
teleview
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Tv Reception.

In the attic install a Winegard HD7696P antenna aimed at about 73 degree magnetic compass direction.

The HD7696P antenna is a , heavy duty strong and sturdy antenna.

Here is how to aim antennas , http://www.kyes.com/antenna/pointing/pointing.html.

Use No preamplifier.

Yes use a Channel Master CM3410 distribution amplifier.

Most attics have a electric outlet to plug a Channel Master CM3410 distribution amplifier into.

For 1 Tv connection use no splitter.

For 2 Tv's connected use a common simple 2 way splitter.

For 3 Tv's connected use a common simple 3 way splitter.

For 4 Tv's connected use a common simple 4 way splitter.

Here are some places to buy antennas and etc. , http://www.solidsignal.com , http://www.amazon.com , http://www.channelmasterstore.com.

As always,

Metal backed insulation in the attic.

A metal roof.

Thick roof tiles.

Solar Panels.

Stucko with stucko Wire on the attic end walls.

Trees and tree leaves.

Other buildings or other obstructions.

All do a real fine job of reducing or blocking Tv reception.
___________

The Tv/s Must Channel Scan for the Digital Broadcast Tv Channels , sometimes named the 'Air Channels' or 'Antenna Channels' in the Tv setup menu because the Tv transmissions travel through the air from the transmitting antenna to the receiving antenna.

DO NOT channel scan for cable tv channels.

Last edited by teleview; 21-Oct-2012 at 2:53 AM.
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Old 22-Aug-2012, 6:07 AM   #3
teleview
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Tv Reception.

I expect that Current Plus Pending Applications Included of Digital Tv stations/channels in the the Green and Yellow reception zones will be received with antenna in the attic.
_____________________________

Here is the Federal Antenna Law that says Yes , a Large and Larger Antenna can be , installed , Used , Maintained , Above the Roof so as to have Reliable Reception.

http://www.fcc.gov/mb/facts/otard.html.

____________________________________

If there are reception issues with the HD7696P antenna in the attic with the Green and Yellow zones Tv stations/channels.

Move the HD7696P antenna to Above the roof.

The HD7696P antenna is a , Heavy Duty , Strong and Sturdy Antenna.

Here are some antenna mounts that do not put holes in the roof.

http://www.ronard.com/34424560.html.

http://www.ronard.com/ychim.html.

Buy the ronard antenna mounts at , http://www.solidsignal.com , by typing the word ronard in the solidsignal search box.

As always , Attics ARE NOT a reception friendly environment , And never will be a reception friendly environment.

Last edited by teleview; 21-Oct-2012 at 2:55 AM.
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Old 22-Aug-2012, 1:01 PM   #4
No static at all
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Do you have any vent pipes on the roof you can mount to? A relatively small, inconspicuous outdoor antenna will be your best bet for reliable reception. CW 50 is tough in your area even with an outdoor antenna. All of the antennas I have put up in Northern VA have had no issues with windstorms, even the recent derecho.

An attic mounted antenna may work fine for the other channels of interest, but unfortunately it is a crap shoot with the predicted signal strengths at your location.

Last edited by No static at all; 22-Aug-2012 at 3:46 PM. Reason: Corrected typo
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Old 20-Oct-2012, 9:36 PM   #5
jlax47
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Quote:
Originally Posted by teleview View Post
In the attic install a Winegard HD7696P antenna aimed at about 73 degree magnetic compass direction.

The HD7696P antenna is a , heavy duty strong and sturdy antenna.

Here is how to aim antennas , http://www.kyes.com/antenna/pointing/pointing.html.

Use No preamplifier.

Yes use a Channel Master CM3410 distribution amplifier.

Most attics have a electric outlet to plug a Channel Master CM3410 distribution amplifier into.

For 1 Tv connection use no splitter.

For 2 Tv's connected use a common simple 2 way splitter.

For 3 Tv's connected use a common simple 3 way splitter.

For 4 Tv's connected use a common simple 4 way splitter.

Here are some places to buy antennas and etc. , http://www.solidsignal.com , http://www.amazon.com , http://www.channelmasterstore.com.

As always,

Metal backed insulation in the attic.

A metal roof.

Thick roof tiles.

Solar Panels.

Stucko with stucko Wire on the attic end walls.

Trees and tree leaves.

Other buildings or other obstructions.

All do a real fine job of reducing or blocking Tv reception.
___________

The Tv/s Must Channel Scan for the Digital Broadcast Tv Channels , sometimes named the 'Air Channels' or 'Antenna Channels' in the Tv setup menu because the Tv transmissions travel through the air from the transmitting antenna to the receiving antenna.

DO NOT channel scan for cable tv channels.
I purchased the HD7696P and a Channel Master Dist. Amp from SolidSignal. The amp arrived within few days but the antenna took about a month to show up. I spent last saturday mounting/aiming the antenna and Sunday installing an electrical outlet for the amp (both in the attic).

Saturday night we used the antenna without the amp and we were able to pull in 38 channels. I then put the amp in place in the basement (at the distribution box) and we lost two channels (Fox and a substation). The next day I moved the distribution amp into the attic and we lost a bunch more stations (12 stations total now).

I've left it in this configuration for a week just to make sure it wasn't weather related. As expected we have better reception at night than in the morning.

I'm not sure what the problem is. I understand that it is possible to overload a TV with signal, could that be the problem? My next step was going to be to remove the amp and test the reception again for a week without it. I'm also going to double check the alignment of the antenna.

Does anyone have an advice to offer on troubleshooting steps?
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Old 21-Oct-2012, 12:31 AM   #6
teleview
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How many Tv's are connected??

Yes it is possible there is amplifier problems.

If so , the most likely causes are , interference that is being generated from something that is in or around the house. Amplifiers amplify the interference along with Tv channel.

And the 'close in environment' of the attic is causing multipul multipath (reflected signals) are bouncing around , the amplifier amplifies the situation , the tuner can not process all the amplified multipul multipath , and shuts down on some channels.

As always , Attics ARE NOT Reception Friendly Environments.

With out the amp , And 1 Tv connected and no splitter , how far down this list of , Current Plus Pending Applications Digital Tv Stations/Channels is being received??

With out the amp , And more then 1 Tv connected , how far down the list??

I recommend install the antenna Above The Roof in such a manner that the roof and any part of the house Is Not blocking reception.

As always trees and tree leaves do a real fine job of reducing or blocking Tv reception and so do buildings and other obstructions including your own house.

It is best to install a antenna at a location that has the least amount to no amount of obstructions of any type or kind in the directions of reception.

Last edited by teleview; 21-Oct-2012 at 8:29 AM.
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Old 21-Oct-2012, 1:28 AM   #7
No static at all
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Location: Chantilly, VA
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The amplifier is not overloading. Have you tried moving the antenna to different areas of the attic?

As noted earlier, the relatively weak signal strengths along with the terrain issues between you & DC will likely require an outdoor mounting location for reliable reception.
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