Need amp - antenna help

[charliebear]

I have an existing big TV antenna in my attic, it has the twin flat wire output. I want to use this for HD locals, and right now I have used some twin lead to coax adapters, but I think I should use a pre amp to get better reception. Am I better off getting a pre amp or an amp? Is this antenna okay, or do I need to get one that has coax output?

[winegard]

Good morning charliebear -

The antenna should be okay. You can use a Winegard HDA-100 distribution amplifier to build up your signals since the antenna and amplifier are in your attic.

[KNP 2516]

Pre DTV transition, most channels were on Analog VHF

Now most channels are on Digital UHF

Uhf is line of sight. It does not work well through walls, trees, through tall buildings, go over hills or mountains, is disrupted by rain and snow.

If you want better performance - you will need to mount that antenna outside and use a pre amplifier and a good Baulan and RG 6 Quad Shield wire and a antenna rotor.

We would have to know where you live to comment on which channels you should be able to receive and which will not come in due to a lack of signal.

[ENGINEER60]

I have an existing big TV antenna in my attic, it has the twin flat wire output. I want to use this for HD locals, and right now I have used some twin lead to coax adapters, but I think I should use a pre amp to get better reception. Am I better off getting a pre amp or an amp? Is this antenna okay, or do I need to get one that has coax output?

If kept dry, twin lead is much lower loss than RG-6 at VHF and UHF frequencies
However, each balun or vhf/uhf splitter/combiner you use adds signal loss.