"First test I would do is what pattern and gain will get me from here to there with an antenna on the house, and work the problem from that direction,"
That makes sense to me. I was probably avoiding it due to my fear of heights. How would I go about doing that? Should I get a nanoVNA? Then what.
I don't want to buy a series of more powerful and expensive antennas till I find one that works, when the same result might be obtained by a cheap longer pole.
There seems to be consensus that getting the antenna out of the attic and on a short pole on the roof will make the difference. That did not make sense to me because that is still below the top of the trees. I am not resisting that, I'm just trying to understand why it would make such a difference. So if someone could please explain the factors, that would help.
I once thought the asphalt shingles or roofing nails might be the problem, that was one of the reasons for the temporary 20ft pole test outside which failed. That told me the roof in the way was not a significant factor, height above the leaves is. If I misinterpreted that, please give your interpretation.
I didn't see my initial proposal as requiring much effort, but apparently y'all did. Y'all seem to think putting antennae in trees is easy. I don't have experience with that exactly, but putting a tire swing on a 23' branch seemed like a Herculean effort that had my back out for a week after. I'm willing to come around, I just need to be shown the error of my ways, rather than have a person on the internet I don't know say just trust me.
The way I saw it, my plan was just 1 roof penetration at the ridge vent where it is already open versus a tripod with 3 new roof penetration sites. That seemed like an advantage.
Since I already have the tripod, can anyone think of a way to place it, an antenna and feedline on the roof peak(without bolts) for a test without me actually climbing the roof? I guess that answers my previous question about what to do next. Its weird how fear of something can block a person from seeing solutions that involve that something.
Even if the answer is as simple as just asking someone to do it for you. I got so used to doing everything myself.