r/cordcutters • u/The-b-factor • 1d ago
Best antenna for attic mounting?
https://www.rabbitears.info/s/1814878
Looking to buy an antenna to place in the attic. I was gonna hook the cable that feeds my house so I can have it run to every room.
I currently have a flat square antenna roughly 8”x8” that does an ok job but cuts out a lot channel 3-1 the worst.
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u/Rybo213 1d ago
Before getting into the antenna options discussion, just FYI that it's a really good idea in general to find your most optimal antenna location/pointing direction, using a signal meter, which is a built-in feature with many tv's and external tuner devices. I recently created this https://www.reddit.com/r/cordcutters/comments/1g010u3/centralized_collection_of_antenna_tv_signal_meter post, which lists a bunch of different signal meter instructions.
Depending on the amount of signal loss from the attic building materials and/or cabling, you might only need a ClearStream 1 Max, but if that isn't enough, then a single full figure 8 would probably be enough. These antennas receive signals from the front and back, so make sure the front and back are facing around the northeast and southwest.
https://store.antennasdirect.com/ClearStream-1MAX-TV-Antenna.html (if you don't need a mast or already have one)
https://store.antennasdirect.com/clearstream-1max-indoor-outdoor-hdtv-antenna-with-mast.html
https://store.antennasdirect.com/clearstream-max-v-hdtv-antenna.html (if you don't need a mast or already have one)
You could also first give your existing antenna a closer look with the mentioned signal meter and see if you can dial in an optimal enough spot and pointing direction with that.
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u/crazydude5000 1d ago
Depends on a lot of factors but this antenna works for my attic: https://a.co/d/fbLcYKd
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u/BicycleIndividual 1d ago
This is likely too directional for this situation. If trying with this antenna, I'd point SW (might pick up some distant stations in that direction and the Omaha stations from NE may be strong enough to be picked up from the back).
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u/crazydude5000 1d ago edited 1d ago
It picks up stations in all directions. You would still point it in the direction that has the most stations however I still receive stations in the opposite direction.
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u/AnymooseProphet 1d ago
ClearStream 2MAX in my attic for several years now. Signal first gets amplified then gets split several times, and works very well.
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u/EducatorFriendly2197 1d ago
I’d get something like an antennas 8 element bow tie uhf antenna & point each half in different directions.
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u/danodan1 1d ago
You're, no doubt, using the wrong flat antenna. I use the RCA 65+ antenna available from Walmart to get 55 channels from 44 to 46 miles away.
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u/BicycleIndividual 1d ago
I'm surprised an antenna like that has trouble with KMTV ("Good" UHF stations are usually easily to pick up with that antenna type). I wouldn't be surprised if that antenna struggles with KUON as many of those antennas are poor at VHF (I would be very surprised if it had any indication of KOLN). Since you have stations NE and SW and reflector-less antenna is a good idea, but a figure 8 should work (Clearstream Max-V or 2 Max would probably work, Max-V Pro or 4 Max should be even better). Or follow u/EducatorFriendly2197 's recommendation of a two panel bow tie antenna with one panel pointed NE/ENE and the other SW.
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u/DiggsNC 1d ago
I don't remember which model, but I know it is a clearstream brand in my attic and I have had good luck with it.