The attic's construction will ultimately determine how much signal you will lose but you could try the attic first if you must and move if if needed. Considering if you own your own home; no one can keep you from installing it on the roof line or eve; I would put it there where you are sure to get a good signal. If you rent, then you can have install issues.
I do own my own home and we have an association, sooooo...we can have little dishes like my AT-9 and i see a FTA dish here but, put an antenna on the roof would be a no go...does the antenna have to be line of sight or just in the direction of the city that has HD broadcast?? maybe i can mount it on my deck??
I do own my own home and we have an association, sooooo...we can have little dishes like my AT-9 and i see a FTA dish here but, put an antenna on the roof would be a no go...does the antenna have to be line of sight or just in the direction of the city that has HD broadcast?? maybe i can mount it on my deck??
I also live in a very restrictive HOA; and after living in both, I would never live in an area without one; and wouldn't have it any other way!
BUT they (and you) need to read up on OTARD http://www.fcc.gov/mb/facts/otard.html - get your antenna up in the BEST place; you have protections; so make good use of them. If YOU don't want it up there, then that is another issue.
Yes, the antenna needs to have the best LoS you can get and set to the correct heading. The deck mount would be way too low; you would be better off with a large antenna inside the attic.