Choosing the Best Outdoor HDTV Antenna
You may be looking for the best outdoor HDTV antenna and feeling a bit overwhelmed, but choosing an antenna does not need to be a stressful task. There are several tips and tricks to keep in mind so you can get the most bang for your buck when selecting an HDTV outdoor antenna. Your television viewing needs and your location are among the most important factors.
Why are people choosing an HDTV outdoor antenna over an indoor antenna? Many people have tried out indoor HDTV antennas with poor results. There are some really good indoor HDTV antennas on the market, but they do not work well for everyone. Most people find that they get a much more reliable signal by mounting their antenna outdoors. Outdoor HDTV antennas also tend to be more cost effective.
Your outdoor HDTV 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, where space allows. There is a tradeoff in signal quality, but for some people, 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.
Now you will end up with a list of local TV stations and their broadcast locations. Each station has the following info: callsign, channel number, network name, location, compass heading, distance away, and their true RF (radio frequency) broadcast channel. Since the switch to DTV, the actual RF channel may be different from what the channel number they have been popularly known as. Narrow down your choices to "Digital Stations Only" - this is our main concern when selecting an HDTV outdoor antenna.
The list of DTV 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 those. If the stations with best reception are coming from a wide range of compass headings, you may want to install a rotator for your HDTV outdoor antenna. In most situations, however, you will be able to identify a cluster of broadcast towers that cover the major networks.
The best HDTV outdoor antenna for your location will be based on the recommendations at AntennaWeb.org. Purchase an antenna from the recommended category for the best results. There are six color-coded categories of antennas to choose from: large multi-directional or small directional with preamp, large directional with preamp, medium directional, medium directional with preamp, or small multidirectional. - 23806
Why are people choosing an HDTV outdoor antenna over an indoor antenna? Many people have tried out indoor HDTV antennas with poor results. There are some really good indoor HDTV antennas on the market, but they do not work well for everyone. Most people find that they get a much more reliable signal by mounting their antenna outdoors. Outdoor HDTV antennas also tend to be more cost effective.
Your outdoor HDTV 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, where space allows. There is a tradeoff in signal quality, but for some people, 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.
Now you will end up with a list of local TV stations and their broadcast locations. Each station has the following info: callsign, channel number, network name, location, compass heading, distance away, and their true RF (radio frequency) broadcast channel. Since the switch to DTV, the actual RF channel may be different from what the channel number they have been popularly known as. Narrow down your choices to "Digital Stations Only" - this is our main concern when selecting an HDTV outdoor antenna.
The list of DTV 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 those. If the stations with best reception are coming from a wide range of compass headings, you may want to install a rotator for your HDTV outdoor antenna. In most situations, however, you will be able to identify a cluster of broadcast towers that cover the major networks.
The best HDTV outdoor antenna for your location will be based on the recommendations at AntennaWeb.org. Purchase an antenna from the recommended category for the best results. There are six color-coded categories of antennas to choose from: large multi-directional or small directional with preamp, large directional with preamp, medium directional, medium directional with preamp, or small multidirectional. - 23806
About the Author:
Tomas Lindstrom is a hobbyist who enjoys watching free High Definition Digital TV over the air and finding the best HDTV outdoor antenna. He is continually researching different outdoor antenna options to find the best products available.
posted by X - Men at
1:33 AM
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