Grid/Yagi antenna INSIDE attic anyone?

Llama · EVDO Junkie Joined: 02 Feb 2007 Posts: 180

I have a shiny new Hyperlink grid antenna waiting for some connectors (my local Rat Shack *used* to have a pretty extensive collection of connectors from Wilson) to come in. While I wait I am wondering if anyone has put a high gain directional antenna in their attic vs out on a mast?

Many folks around here have their OTA antennas inside their attic without much trouble. Doing something like that would be a lot easier that sitting on the peak of my roof dialing this bad boy in.

My current setup is a Wilson trucker direct connected to an amp, then 50' of LMR400 to my S720.
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--Larry

xrayman · Posted: Sun Mar 09, 2008 11:22 am Post subject:

I know of one person that is using a PCS panel antenna inside the attic. He can get a good EVDO signal from a cell tower 5 miles away. It all depends on materials the roof is made out of and how much gain you need.
I have an OTA TV antenna that has been mounted in my attic for over 30 years. It points out one gable end of the attic. The antenna looks and works like the day it was installed. If you can get the signal quality you need for a good connection go for the attic location.

n6gn · Posted: Sun Mar 09, 2008 11:23 am Post subject:

I used a 900 MHz 16 dBi (long) yagi in my attic under a shake roof for many years.
Performance depends a lot on roof material (and whether it is soaked with water or not).
Short answer is "it won't be as good as it would be mounted high and far away from obstructions but it may still be good enough to help considerably".
I'd suggest you take a reference reading with it mounted above the roof and then see what happens in the attic - if you still deem it worthwhile to go there. If you are barely making it when the antenna is up and in the clear, I don't think I'd continue with an attic installation.

n6gn