Your Universal Remote Control Center
RemoteCentral.com
HDTV Reception Forum - View Post
Previous section Next section Previous page Next page Up level
Up level
The following page was printed from RemoteCentral.com:

Login:
Pass:
 
 

Page 1 of 3
Topic:
Antenna in the attic?
This thread has 34 replies. Displaying posts 1 through 15.
Post 1 made on Saturday January 3, 2004 at 22:51
rknecht
Long Time Member
Joined:
Posts:
December 2003
90
I would like to know the success rates of attic mounted antennas. I live in a planned community and outside antennas are not permitted. It was hard enough to get them to accept my Directv dish. So I was wondering if anyone was using any particular antenna in an attic. I was looking at the Terk35 or a Radio Shack antenna. The Terk is 99 and the Radio Shack one is 49. I went to the CEA antenna site and tested my address. The Terk35 with a mast mounted amplifier? fits my needs but does not mention attic mounting. I am no farther than 30 miles from the transmiters if that matters. Any help would be much appreciated.
Post 2 made on Saturday January 3, 2004 at 23:34
Larry Fine
Loyal Member
Joined:
Posts:
August 2001
5,002
I'd take the RS antenna even if they were the same price. Unless you have a metal roof, the slight signal reduction will be outweighed by keeping it out of the weather, meaning the signal won't degrade over time.
Post 3 made on Sunday January 4, 2004 at 03:38
RTI Installer
Super Member
Joined:
Posts:
March 2002
3,320
I have a lot of experience with this,


Forget the Terk, works great for FM in an attic but not Hi Deff. Use a pair of channel master 4 bow tie 4221's if you are close to the source, if you are far away; use a pair of the channel master 4228 8 bow tie antennas. It is important to properly ground the reflectors on each of the antennas, this usually improves reception and reduces your install time.

Never Ignore the Obvious -- H. David Gray
OP | Post 4 made on Sunday January 4, 2004 at 08:43
rknecht
Long Time Member
Joined:
Posts:
December 2003
90
I looked at the Channel Masters and they are just for UHF. What about VHF signals. I would like to recieve normal channels as well.
Post 5 made on Sunday January 4, 2004 at 13:04
RTI Installer
Super Member
Joined:
Posts:
March 2002
3,320
They work fine, trust me, I have tried everything and spent thousands of dollars in the process.
Never Ignore the Obvious -- H. David Gray
OP | Post 6 made on Sunday January 4, 2004 at 17:26
rknecht
Long Time Member
Joined:
Posts:
December 2003
90
You say to use 2 of the 4221s. What configuration do I need to mount them on? Should I form a "V" with them so they aim in 2 directions? Also, how would I ground the reflectors, and what type of wire should be used for the ground? When I combine the 2 antennas, do I just use a combiner? Sorry for all the questions, I just hate doing things twice.
Post 7 made on Sunday January 4, 2004 at 22:34
Sxrxrnr
Long Time Member
Joined:
Posts:
December 2003
100
I am in a horrible area(45 miles away, in an attic and behind a hill). I am using CM 4228 with a rotator(remote controlled). Also tried their large Yagi and found Bow is slighly better. Most of the time I am ok for my HD(UHF) signal. Most of my stuff comes of satellite(One HD, 4 regular receivers, and a pair of Sony T-60's Tivos, each with 2 receivers all running off a single dish) but need antenna for local CBS, NBC, Fox, and PBS. Just installed Comcast HD Cable for local channel HD support. I recommend strongly that you use a rotator( again remote controlled) as often just a few degree change of direction will bring your signal in. It will change day to day depending upon the weather and other environmentals. Sometimes a reflected signal will work when one direct from transmitter will not. Love my Tivo's and my Mx 500 remotes.

Roger
Post 8 made on Monday January 5, 2004 at 00:00
Larry Fine
Loyal Member
Joined:
Posts:
August 2001
5,002
Also, as another part of antenna magic, sometimes a signal is best received when the antenna's null is aimed towards an undesired signal or reflection. This is especially useful when trying tune a weaker signal against a stronger one.

Larry
www.fineelectricco.com
Post 9 made on Monday January 5, 2004 at 01:36
RTI Installer
Super Member
Joined:
Posts:
March 2002
3,320
Ok,
First go to this address

[Link: antennaweb.org] and locate all the available broadcast towers that carry the channels you are interested in



Locate an area in your attic farthest away from any metal obstructions; further if there is another house near your house, or a big fat tree, that might block the signal, try to find a spot in your attic that gives you a work around. I have found it beneficial to drag a TV and the HD Box up to the attic, plug in one of the antennas and just move it around to see what I can get before I install the whole mess. If you can get some channels doing this, even if they are kind of intermittent, you’re in good shape.



If you have the room in your attic. Install an 8-foot pole and mount the antennas one above the other. Make sure the pole is as perfectly level as you can get it, mount both of your antennas facing the general direction indicated by antenna web. Usually the two antennas will be pointing in a split V kind of arrangement. If you can get 4228’s in to your attic (they do come apart a bit) use them as they are a lot more powerful than the 4221’s.



If you are not experienced with home AC wiring, hire someone to run a ground for you, If are experienced, you can usually find a junction box or the back side of a can light or something that has a ground in it. If the ground is a #12, run a #12 bare or green to the first screen reflector and bond to the crossbar with a ground clamp, and then jump from that one to the next antenna. Do not use any coax splitters. Use only 1 X 300 to 75 ohm adapter. Use number 12 copper wire and make jumps between the wing nut posts on each antenna, meaning, each antenna has a pair of wing nut posts on them. This is where you attach the 75 to 300 ohm adapters, but in this case, you use only the 1 adapter on only the first antenna. To attach the second antenna, run your #12 wire from the first wing nut on antenna #1 to the first wing nut on antenna #2. Then run a jump wire from wing nut #2 on antenna #1 to the 2nd wing nut on antenna #2. Do not let the jump wires touch any part of the antennas except for the wing nut terminals?



Run your coax from the adapter to your HD Box that should be with you in the attic. Work on moving just 1 antenna at a time mark on the post with a pencil, which stations come in best at that particular position. Try to bring in the most stations you can with the one antenna, then try to catch the stragglers with the second antenna. Sometimes it takes a while to get a good combination between the two before you get what you want.



When you get to a point where you have all the stations your going to get, I recommend running a solid core copper RG-6 cable directly from the adapter to the location where your box will reside. The longer the run, the more it will reduce your signal. So try to make the run short as possible.



Tip!
I have done a couple of installs where I got great results, by catching the signals that were bouncing off another building across the street.



Note on amplifiers!
Try not to use them unless you have to. Some times they do miracles and sometimes, they just amplify your problems.

Good luck!

Never Ignore the Obvious -- H. David Gray
OP | Post 10 made on Monday January 5, 2004 at 07:04
rknecht
Long Time Member
Joined:
Posts:
December 2003
90
Wow RTI Installer, thanks for the great info! You kinda did a virtual install for me. I greatly appreciate all the help. I know it takes a little time to explain things in a post and I thank you for making things very clear for me. My only hitch is that I'll have to get the antennas on line so that will slow down my install. Other than that, I'm ready to go.
Post 11 made on Monday January 5, 2004 at 10:52
G50AE
Active Member
Joined:
Posts:
March 2003
747
To be honest, I have never been a big fan of attic mounted antennas. I have always thought that if you are going to spend money on an antenna, you should put it where it will do the most good, which is on the roof.

But according to Ernie Bornn-Gilman's theory of signal transmision, which states, "If you still have good signal, well then you still have good signal." attic mounting, while not being ideal, might be ok provided you can comply with the Bornn-Gilman conditions. I would do everything else I could to make sure I had good signal if I were going to shove a good antenna into an attic.
Post 12 made on Monday January 5, 2004 at 15:32
RTI Installer
Super Member
Joined:
Posts:
March 2002
3,320
On 01/05/04 10:52, G50AE said...
To be honest, I have never been a big fan of attic
mounted antennas. I have always thought that
if you are going to spend money on an antenna,
you should put it where it will do the most good,
which is on the roof.

But according to Ernie Bornn-Gilman's theory of
signal transmision, which states, "If you still
have good signal, well then you still have good
signal." attic mounting, while not being ideal,
might be ok provided you can comply with the Bornn-Gilman
conditions. I would do everything else I could
to make sure I had good signal if I were going
to shove a good antenna into an attic.

Exterior mounted antennas are by far the best way to go, but in this world of covenant restricted living it is not always an option. Regarding Bornn Gilman I like my research better, because I have personally tested it and know when it will or will not work.

Further the new laws make it unlawful for any housing authority to deny you from putting up an exterior antenna, when it is your only option to receive HDTV programming. But who the hell has time to fight city hall all day.
Never Ignore the Obvious -- H. David Gray
Post 13 made on Wednesday January 7, 2004 at 18:00
texasbrit
Founding Member
Joined:
Posts:
December 2001
524
It was just mentioned, but if your home owners association has a rule banning outdoor antennas this is probably ILLEGAL and you can tell them where to put their rule. Under FCC regulations if you have a roof which is yours (or under your sole control) you can mount an antenna there and the HOA can do nothing about it. If they try to prevent you they are liable for legal costs and worse.
Try this link
[Link: fcc.gov]
OP | Post 14 made on Sunday January 11, 2004 at 16:01
rknecht
Long Time Member
Joined:
Posts:
December 2003
90
RTI installer, I took your advice and mounted the 2 4221 antennas in the attic. I followed the directions you suggested and the end result was perfect. They are above one another and if looking down on them , they are on a SLIGHT "X" shape. Reception is perfect. I get all local HD flawlessly. Again, thank you for the great advice.
Post 15 made on Sunday January 11, 2004 at 18:53
RTI Installer
Super Member
Joined:
Posts:
March 2002
3,320
Great News! Have fun with your new system.
Never Ignore the Obvious -- H. David Gray
Page 1 of 3


Jump to


Protected Feature Before you can reply to a message...
You must first register for a Remote Central user account - it's fast and free! Or, if you already have an account, please login now.

Please read the following: Unsolicited commercial advertisements are absolutely not permitted on this forum. Other private buy & sell messages should be posted to our Marketplace. For information on how to advertise your service or product click here. Remote Central reserves the right to remove or modify any post that is deemed inappropriate.

Hosting Services by ipHouse