Attic Installed Antennas

[wtrubelasr]

Contemplating a indoor attic installation and would like pros and cons
Easier to maintain and out of the unforgiving weather.
any input is appreciated

 

[Hit_Factor]

Antennas installed indoors don't work as well.

Outdoor antennas are weatherproof, don't worry about them.

Antennas installed during inclement weather events work better.

If you instal it indoors, you will always wonder if it will work better outdoors.

If you don't raise it up to the sky, you will always wonder if it will work better higher up.

 

[W8WCA]

Antenna's can and do work OK in an attic.
If you have A/C Lines in attic that can be an issue - best to keep the wire/antenna as far away from them as you can.
That said they do not work quite as well as the same Antenna Outside.

 

[mmckenna]

You need to pay close attention to the roofing materials and make sure there is no metal/RF opaque materials used. Foil backed insulation/vapor barrier is another concern.

Inside mounting puts the antenna closer to RF noise sources inside your home.
It puts it in close proximity to electrical wiring, metal pipes, HVAC ducts, etc.

Inside antennas do not protect it from lighting or nearby strikes.

Weather shouldn't be an issue with a good antenna and proper connector waterproofing. Maintenance is minimal if you install it correctly.
Height greatly helps with range.

But if you don't need range and it's a really strong signal you are trying to receive, then in the attic would be fine if it works for you.

 

[sflmonitor]

Like others have said, attic-mounted antennas can work fine but it depends on the roofing materials and other factors physically surrounding or close to the antenna. I have had a discone for scanning and a dual band for ham and they served their purpose. My reason for attic mounting was the HOA restrictions but now that I moved, my antenna is mounted outside. I honestly think outside mounting will provide better results.

 

[W9WSS]

Lots of families move into a residence that an HOA controls. Outside antennas are usually prohibited, so you'll have to make do with some antennas in your attic or hidden from view in a tree or other structure. I would never have anyone telling me where I can install antennas as I live in a single-family home incorporated in a municipality. It reminds me of those who want excellent performance with a magnetic-base mobile installation as opposed to a permanently mounted NMO-based drilled-in antenna. You do what you have to do with what you have available in your own situation.

 

[wtrubelasr]

Thanks for the honest reply I just hope this is the last time I will be climbing a ladder

 

[rk911]

Only con I can think of is performance. Attic antennas work OK but, absent a band opening, don't expect DX. Antennas may be all-weather but coax exposed to the elements needs to be replaced sooner or later.

 

[ofd8001]

A question to ask yourself, "just how far away are you attempting to receive?" If all you are looking for is a local simulcast system, then it doesn't matter.

Where you live may be a consideration. In a valley, then outside is better. In a high area, attic may be satisfactory assuming no RF noise.

If you do opt for an outside antenna, please be sure you ground it, as an antenna could easily become a lightning rod.

In my garage, I have a couple of attic antennas and I'm happy with them. For my office part, I have an exterior and I'm happy with that, other than the wind moving it somewhat.

The cable from the antenna to the scanner is a factor too. Get the best you can afford.

 

[Jondrew55]

I just got a Diamond D3000N Discone antenna. My intention was to set it up in the attic. It's actually smaller than I thought, and right now I have it set up on an old photo tripod sitting near a window in our upstairs bonus room. My HOA does not allow antennas. I'm going to try to figure a way to "temporarily" set it up out a window as high as I can just to see how much better it performs. As it is, it seems to be better than my diamond RH77CA.

We bought our house 20 years ago knowing what the HOA rules were, so I can't complain about them. Well, I can complain, but I can't blame the HOA.

 

[MiCon]

The same antenna mounted on the roof will almost always outperform an attic installation.

I, too, have HOA restrictions. When I moved in I was using the rubber ducky antenna and hearing all of the local stuff well. Then I put a discone in the attic and my reception improved by about 50%. Having used roof mounted antennas in past locations, I'm sure that if I put the antenna on the roof - an extra eight to ten feet higher - my reception would improve again.