Which antenna should I get? Please help

Yet another thread I'm sure for you guys for antenna selection, but I promise I have searched and no one seems to be from where I am. (Oshkosh, WI)

TV Fool



As I would like an attic only install, I understand my options are more limited. If necessary, I can do a roof installation, but I'm not sure I have to if I buy the right antenna. (Plus, I don't have the outdoor wear and tear on the antenna)

For reference, I have been considering these two recommended antenna's as I figure more gain is always better than less. I'm just concerned about size (4 ft high attic at it's peak) and if I get an UHF only antenna, about the VHF-HI range than FOX (WLUK) channel 11 is on. Also, I would like to get channels 15 and 43 if possible, but those are in different directions. I have a second HDHomeRun tuner that could be used on a separate antenna if I have to. Otherwise, it's going on the Time Warner Cable line in for open QAM channels.

Wineguard HD-8800 based on this: Comparing some commercially available antennas
Antenna's Direct 91XG

Main Assembly:
What kind of Terrestrial Antenna do you presently have: None
Is the Antenna to be/or installed: Attic
How high above ground is your Antenna installed/proposed: only ~10-12ft :/
Do you have an Antenna Rotator: No, ideally I would like to be a couch potato.

Interior:
How many linear Cable feet is it between your Antenna and the most far TV: I will be using an HDHomeRun with ~1-2 ft RG6 cable from the antenna in the attic.
How many TV sets will be/are presently being used, on this system: N/A

Additional Information:
Are you/do you plan to integrate Cable or Satellite Services with this system: No
Is there anything else you would like to provide concerning construction, obstructions or geographical issues? There is a large brick apartment building (2 stories) directly to the east of my location. As I don't see any channels to the east, this shouldn't be an issue.

THANK YOU!!

My concern about your attic is the limited space, and you'll need a fairly big antenna. It's hard to aim a larger antenna in a tight space. Antennas are designed for outdoors, so don't be concerned about that, and going outdoors will get you about 10 additional feet in height. One big combo UHF/VHFhi would do you for all but possibly 43. But if it won't fit in the attic or you can't do rooftop install...

You could get all your channels save for Fox and 43 with either antenna you suggest, but an 8bay like the Winegard or DB-8 would probably be better than the 91xg for getting channel 15 off the back side.

As for FOX 11, You can add a AntennaCraft Y5-7-13 with a UHF/VHF splitter/joiner.

-I'm also concerned about putting an HDhomerun in a place like an attic with such temperature extremes. You might want to consider a more climate-controlled location for it.

I think you may be right about not putting the HDHomeRun in the attic and also needing to mount the antenna on the roof. I am worried about signal loss though if I put it in the basement instead as I will need to have at least a 30' run of RG6. I could put an amplifier outside on the antenna though as their is power to that side of the attic.

Here is an updated report at 20' height (rooftop):
TV Fool

Ideally, if I do go ahead with a roof mount installation, I would for sure like to get all of the Green Bay channels/networks in addition to WeatherNation 15, TBN 43, and even ION 40 out of Milwaukee (-1.3 NM). I'm assume for ION 40 though I will need a channel cut antenna and try to put it as high as I can. Alternatively, I might be able to use one of the large 40'-50' trees in my backyard for further height. I think I could pass that by the wife rather than getting a tower. I'm leary of creating a lighting rod though as my parents had an 90' rohn tower which got struck all the time (accidentally grounded, not knowing that in fact it shouldn't have been).

UncleRunkle.

You wrote: Do you have an Antenna Rotator: No, ideally I would like to be a couch potato.

Several manufacturers have remotely-controlled antenna rotators today including Channel Master.

...and ... I'm leary of creating a lighting rod though as my parents had an 90' rohn tower which got struck all the time (accidentally grounded, not knowing that in fact it shouldn't have been).

Error: the tower and any outdoor mast should be (and in most cases) are required to be grounded per local electrical codes.

Jim

Originally Posted by UncleRunkle

Yet another thread I'm sure for you guys for antenna selection, but I promise I have searched and no one seems to be from where I am. (Oshkosh, WI)

TV Fool

As I would like an attic only install, I understand my options are more limited. If necessary, I can do a roof installation, but I'm not sure I have to if I buy the right antenna. (Plus, I don't have the outdoor wear and tear on the antenna)

For reference, I have been considering these two recommended antenna's as I figure more gain is always better than less. I'm just concerned about size (4 ft high attic at it's peak) and if I get an UHF only antenna, about the VHF-HI range than FOX (WLUK) channel 11 is on. Also, I would like to get channels 15 and 43 if possible, but those are in different directions. I have a second HDHomeRun tuner that could be used on a separate antenna if I have to. Otherwise, it's going on the Time Warner Cable line in for open QAM channels.

Wineguard HD-8800 based on this: Comparing some commercially available antennas
Antenna's Direct 91XG

Main Assembly:
What kind of Terrestrial Antenna do you presently have: None
Is the Antenna to be/or installed: Attic
How high above ground is your Antenna installed/proposed: only ~10-12ft :/
Do you have an Antenna Rotator: No, ideally I would like to be a couch potato.

Interior:
How many linear Cable feet is it between your Antenna and the most far TV: I will be using an HDHomeRun with ~1-2 ft RG6 cable from the antenna in the attic.
How many TV sets will be/are presently being used, on this system: N/A

Additional Information:
Are you/do you plan to integrate Cable or Satellite Services with this system: No
Is there anything else you would like to provide concerning construction, obstructions or geographical issues? There is a large brick apartment building (2 stories) directly to the east of my location. As I don't see any channels to the east, this shouldn't be an issue.

THANK YOU!!

Ideally, mount the antenna outside, it will provide much better results and more reliable reception, it also allows a wider range of antennas to be chosen from, and more ease in aiming.

A pre-amp would likely be of little to no benefit for the bang for buck system.

Bang for buck system:
Mid sized combination antenna pointed at 53magnetic.
Likely: WFRV (CBS), WGBA (NBC, Me-TV), WBAY (ABC, Stormcenter 2 24/7, Live Well Network), WCWF (CW), WPNE (PBS, Wisconsin Channel, PBS Create), WLUK (Fox), WACY (MyNetwork),
Unlikely: W30BU (3ABN [Religious])*, WGBD(Daystar [Religious])**

* A large combination antenna, or separate diplexed UHF and VHF antennas would probably be required.
** Separate diplexed UHF and VHF antennas would likely be required (with the UHF antenna being a fringe reception type).
Note: The higher the gain for a particular antenna type, the smaller the receiving backlobe, focusing on these two drops the chances even further on the two below.

WIWN (RF15): EDIT - NOT OPERATIONAL
Possibly available off the back of the above system with unlikely certainty. Otherwise a separate antenna and combining (possibly at the detriment of existing stations). You may decide not worth chasing due to being able to receive Stormcenter 2 24/7 from WBAY.
Unlikely: WIWN (WeatherNation)

WWRS (RF43):
Possibly available off the back of the bang for buck system with somewhere between unlikely and insanity level certainty. Otherwise a separate antenna and combining (possibly at the detriment of existing stations - but this one would graduate to less likely status). You may decide not worth chasing due to already receiving 3ABN, and Daystar [if receivable on basic setup].
Unlikely to Insanity: WWRS (TBN, TCC, JCTV, Enlace, Smile of a Child [All Religious])*

Alternatively, these channels should be available FTA on Satellite (They are here. and Australia is much less religious than the US).
Edit: Yep! They are, all the above, as well as 3ABN/Daystar, and many others are available FTA on Galaxy 19 (97W) according to lyngsat (and all in Ku Band - so dish not massive).

Key:
Likely - Surprised if you dont get
Less Likely - Should get, but less likely
Unlikely - Might get, worth a shot if youve got the coin.
Insanity - Go home, you're drunk


Note: Limiting yourself to an attic mounted antenna will likely make anything other than the green stations above extremely hard. And even the weaker green ones may have a little trouble depending on roof construction.

WIWN-15 isn't operating and has asked the FCC to never have to operate.

- Trip

Originally Posted by Trip

WIWN-15 isn't operating and has asked the FCC to never have to operate.

- Trip

Thanks Trip, edited as such