Finding the best HDTV outdoor antenna for your situation may seem like a daunting task, but it doesn’t have to be. We will review some resources, tips, and tricks to make sure you get the most out of your HDTV outdoor antenna purchase. Keep in mind that the right antenna for you is highly dependent on your geographic location and viewing needs.
First, why an outdoor antenna? You may have attempted to use an indoor HDTV antenna, only to be frustrated by signal dropouts. While there are some good indoor antennas, they do not work well for everyone. You can get much more bang for your buck by mounting your antenna in an outdoor location. You will also get a much more reliable signal.
Your outdoor antenna does not need to be an obtrusive eyesore. While it is true that a large antenna on a large tower will give you better results, most people, especially in major metropolitan areas, will require something much smaller. A small antenna mounted on a simple rooftop bracket works well for many people. Another option for outdoor antennas is to mount them in an attic, if you have the space. There is a tradeoff in signal quality, but for some, attic mounting is the preferred option.
If you live in an apartment or condo complex, your landlord or condo association may try to discourage you from installing an HDTV outdoor antenna. According to the FCC, you are protected and have a right to install a small antenna. According to regulations passed, apartment managers must allow requests to install a traditional stick-type antenna, or a satellite dish of 1 meter or less in size, on a balcony, balcony railing, or patio that is part of the resident’s rented property. These guidelines are subject to “reasonable” restrictions, so in practice, there may be some room for debate as to what is “reasonable”.
Once you decide that an HDTV outdoor antenna is right for you, you will need to research your local broadcast situation. Go to AntennaWeb.org and enter your address. You do not need to enter your email address or phone number – just enter your street address and ZIP code for the most accurate assessment. Answer the questions about tall structures nearby, and the number of levels in your house as well.
When you enter your address at AntennaWeb.org, you will get a list of nearby TV stations, or more specifically, where their broadcast towers are located. Each station is identified by their call sign, channel number, network, location, compass heading, distance, and the frequency of their true broadcast channel (which may be different from their DTV channel number). Click the radio button to select “Digital Stations Only”, as these are our main concern when finding the best HDTV outdoor antenna.
The list of digital TV stations that AntennaWeb.org provides is listed in order of ease of reception from your location, from easiest to most difficult. It is best to concentrate on the majority of stations that are listed first, and focus on receiving a solid signal from them. If your stations with best reception are coming from a wide range of compass headings, you may want to install a rotor for your outdoor HDTV antenna. In most situations, however, you will be able to identify a “cluster” of broadcast towers that cover the major networks.
The HDTV outdoor antenna you choose can be based on recommendations from the AntennaWeb.org list. The recommended antenna type for each location is color coded, based on six different categories: small multi-directional, medium multi-directional, large multi-directional or small directional with pre-amp, medium directional, medium directional with pre-amp, and large directional with pre-amp. Use these guidelines to help you find the best category when selecting the best HDTV outdoor antenna.
