Advice on HDTV Antennas?

[tk2kewl]

I am seriously considering ditching my cable TV since everything on it is crap and it's costly crap.

I run a computer with Windows 7 Media Center and control it via an XBox 360 to play games, listen to music, watch videos etc. The PC also has a tuner card that I can connect to an antenna so I would still get most Sunday NFL games and local news weather - the rest of what I might watch can come from Hulu or Netfix (and if the Mets ever get worth watching, an MLB online subscription).

Anyway I was looking at HDTV antennas and wondering if all rooftop models can be placed in an attic. I see that some indicate use as indoors, some as rooftop, and some as attic/rooftop.

I am trying to understand if one described as a rooftop antenna will function just as well in the attic or if I should pony up extra for one that indicates its for attic/rooftop use.

here a a couple of links to examples:

Rooftop: http://www.crutchfield.com/S-VHKBTwXfgWY/p_6594228HD/Channel-Master-4228HD.html?tp=3261

Attic/rooftop: http://www.crutchfield.com/S-VHKBTwXfgWY/p_792SKY/Mohu-Sky.html?tp=3261

Thanks

[jeff47]

1. I don't think this is something with a cut-n-dry answer

I'm basing this on the basics of RF, instead of specifically digital antenna knowledge. So it may be off.

Putting the Antenna inside the attic is going to reduce the signal strength - the RF has to pass through the roof/walls. Whether or not that is a problem is going to depend on how strong the signal is outside your house. If it starts strong enough, the rooftop model should work fine in the attic. If you're at the edge of reception, the rooftop model may not be able to get a strong enough signal.

As a result, there isn't a cut-n-dry, "this always works" answer.

But there's also a significant difference between those antennas. The rooftop model is directional. You have to point at the transmitters. That works nicely if the transmitters are all the same direction from your house. If they're not, that's going to cause a problem.

Let's say you live in Colorado Springs. The transmitters are located like this:
http://www.antennapoint.com/antennas/show?id=80921
If you want the channels from Denver, the directional antenna will work fine. But if you point it at Denver and want that Colorado Springs station to the South too, you're SOL with the directional antenna.

The Attic/rooftop model isn't directional, so it should pick up that station to the South, as well as the stations to the North.

[tk2kewl]

2. good advice, thanks

I live on LI and most of what I would want to view is probably broadcast from NYC but there are some LI, CT, and NJ broadcasts that I might want to pick up. If I am saving money on dropping the cable bill maybe I should splurge for the attic/rooftop model.

[jeff47]

3. Possibly....there is one advantage to the directional

It will work with weaker signals. So if you're trying to pull in a station that's rather far away, a directional antenna will be able to when a non-directional antenna will not.

Use that site I linked to figure out where the transmitters are located. As you said, they're probably all coming from NYC, but the site will let you know if one of the critical stations is in another direction.

[tk2kewl]

5. the thing is i want it in the attic not on the roof

so if the rooftop one is directional, i am kind of figuring it will take up too much space if I cant just attach it to the rafters but have to somehow position it in a way that will consume too musch attic space

[Wilms]

4. I like Jeff47's advice.

Add metal roofing to concerns...but if you have plenty of signal it might not be an issue.

Roof mounting will give you height, which is good. It will expose the antenna to weather, however. It will be a bit tougher, and dangerous, to install.

Also, make sure your insurance coverage wouldn't be adversely affected.

Hopefully we'll see a post from you in the future letting us know how you made out.

[snacker]

6. We made an antenna

http://uhfhdtvantenna.blogspot.com/

It works perfectly for us...simple and cheap.

[Fumesucker]

7. If when you get your antenna up and working the signal is marginal consider a preamp

A preamp right at the antenna either in the attic or on the rooftop will be most effective. This unit is about the least expensive one that seems to work well, I installed one for a friend a while back and it didn't get any more stations but improved the quality and reliability of the signals he already got from nearly 100 miles away.

http://www.amazon.com/RCA-TVPRAMP1R-Outdoor-Antenna-Preamplifier/dp/B003P92D9Y/ref=pd_sim_e_2

In the digital TV age most transmitters have been made less powerful than they were back in the analog days and somewhat more effort is required on the receiving end to get a good signal.

Here is an article about getting TV reception at extreme range (100+ to over 200 miles) with highly directional antennas and low noise preamps.

http://abilityhdtv.com/info/79/

[BobUp]

8. Best

I have one of these. I live nearly on the state line, Illinois and Wisconsin, and receive most all over the air channels available from Milwaukee and Chicago, my antenna is mounted on 3 five foot sections of antenna mast clamped together, and mounted via a standoff bracket to the outside wall.



http://www.solidsignal.com/pview.asp?p=hdx1000&d=antennacraft-by-radioshack-hdx1000-vhf-uhf-hd-tv-antenna-(hdx1000)

I too got tired of paying $80+ a month for cable and satellite TV. This antenna is easy on the eyes, and is very functional. It's supposed to be directional, but it pulls in signals from Chicago for me, about 65 miles away and Milwaukee from about 40 miles away.

specifications;

Typical gain: 6.4 dB over UHF band
HDTV Mileage UHF: 50 Miles, VHF High: 40 Miles, VHF Low: 20 Miles
Analog Mileage UHF: 45 Miles, VHF High: 35 Miles, VHF Low: 20 Miles
Average UHF half-power beamwidth: 60 degrees
Average UHF front-to-back ratio: 17 dB
Internal RF amplifier: Typical gain: 10 dB; Noise figure: 3.5
Physical dimensions: 18" x 20" x 4"
Impedance: 75 Ohm, unbalanced
Power requirement: 15V DC, 120 VAC, 60 Hz (w/supplied adapter)
Weatherproof housing-completely encased to withstand weather