How to Find the Best HDTV Outdoor Antenna
Are you looking for the right outdoor HDTV for your location? Feeling overwhelmed? Finding the right antenna does not need to be a difficult job. You will need to keep in mind several factors when you decide on an outdoor HDTV antenna - the most important two factors are your TV watching habits and your geographic location.
Why are people choosing an HDTV outdoor antenna over an indoor antenna? Many people have tried out indoor HDTV antennas with bad results. There are some great indoor HDTV antennas on the market, but they do not work well for everyone. Many 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 HDTV 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 some degradation in signal quality, but for some people, attic mounting is the preferred option.
Do not be intimidated by a landlord or condo association that tries to stop you from installing an HDTV outdoor antenna. You have the right to install a small antenna or satellite dish of one meter or less in size on an outside part of your property. You are protected by FCC statutes and laws passed by Congress. You may have a patio, balcony, or railing available. There are many good options in small- to medium-sized outdoor HDTV antennas for renters.
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: call sign, 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.
Take a look now at the list of digital TV stations in your area. If you are lucky, they will all be clustered around a general direction on the compass. If they are spread far apart, you will need to buy an outdoor HDTV that is not as directional. If many different stations are located at many different compass headings, you may want to install an antenna rotator along with your outdoor HDTV antenna.
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. - 23815
Why are people choosing an HDTV outdoor antenna over an indoor antenna? Many people have tried out indoor HDTV antennas with bad results. There are some great indoor HDTV antennas on the market, but they do not work well for everyone. Many 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 HDTV 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 some degradation in signal quality, but for some people, attic mounting is the preferred option.
Do not be intimidated by a landlord or condo association that tries to stop you from installing an HDTV outdoor antenna. You have the right to install a small antenna or satellite dish of one meter or less in size on an outside part of your property. You are protected by FCC statutes and laws passed by Congress. You may have a patio, balcony, or railing available. There are many good options in small- to medium-sized outdoor HDTV antennas for renters.
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: call sign, 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.
Take a look now at the list of digital TV stations in your area. If you are lucky, they will all be clustered around a general direction on the compass. If they are spread far apart, you will need to buy an outdoor HDTV that is not as directional. If many different stations are located at many different compass headings, you may want to install an antenna rotator along with your outdoor HDTV antenna.
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. - 23815
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 constantly looking at different outdoor antenna options to find what works best.
posted by X - Men at
4:42 AM
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