How far are your local TV transmitters? Have you made any tests? I installed an antenna for OTA reception from transmitters about 50 miles away in NYC and I had to use a rather large antenna with a mast-mounted preamp. There is no way this would have fit into my attic. By the way, there is no such thing as a "color antenna" or a "digital antenna"; there is no difference. However, there are probably no low-band VHF stations any more (channels 2-6). Many stations which used to be low band are now high band or UHF, but they still use their old names, such as Channels 2, 4, and 5 in New York. (7, 9, 11, and 13 are still on those channels).

Hi. My transmitters are 30-40 miles away. The only test I have done is to build a coat hanger bowtie antenna to see what HDTV in pure OTA form looked like a while back. I was only able to get one station well, channel 12 wxii because it is the closest, & it was only locked at night. I was able to pick up about 10 or so channels, but they never were locked & the quality was based on what type of day it was, rain, solar fares, wind, etc. I have moved since then, but am in the same general area. I plan to do a test with a ClearStream 2 Max smaller antenna inside soon to see what I can get. I would do a outside antenna if I had to, but not attached to the house though.

Have you done you'r ClearStream test yet?

@mtvhike I have done a tower location test & the farthest signal of a wanted channel is a little over 40 mi. away. So, did the ClearStream 2 Max which barely pulled in the 22 or so channels (the networks, pbs, their subs, & the weather channel) promised but would not lock on any w/ poor signal strength. Being that it is so ugly did not bother w/ the amp to test. Then I tested the "Hail Mary" antenna I bought (had rave reviews everywhere), but had absolutely no faith that it would pick up even the 20 mi. tower. That picked up all the channels & locked them during the day & night w/ trees leafed for summer. With the amp all channels come in almost full strength, so no need for attic install. Next up the streaming box, & good bye cable, but will have to haggle for a better internet speed/cost. Will be getting rid of the phone next & getting Ooma. Since the phone co. went fiber, the phone only works on a battery for 8 hrs which defeats the best part of copper, that it still works during heavy weather power outages that last for days. You could commiserate w/ friends & family if the phone lines weren't down without worrying about rationing the cell because you don't have a way to charge the battery. Still have not heard back from my electrician. Guess he has enough business to give a hot attic job a pass. Luckily, won't need him for that anyway.

Hello Holmaneva -

Hopefully you've found a solution by now, but per the earlier comments, any local home theatre installation team, or "Home Integration" specialist should be able to help. We've helped several local clients with similar issues lately, all of whom, like you, had some expertise themselves, but wanted a professional to assess the best placement & solution for their antennas.