Choosing the Best Outdoor HDTV Antenna
Tuesday, June 23rd, 2009You may be looking for the best HDTV outdoor antenna and feeling a bit overwhelmed, but choosing an antenna does not need to be a difficult 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.
First, why an outdoor antenna? You may have tried using an indoor HDTV antenna, only to be frustrated by poor reception. 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 more reliable signal from an HDTV outdoor antenna.
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 reception, 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 HDTV outdoor 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.
Finding the best outdoor HDTV antenna begins with getting a list of local stations and finding the ones broadcasting in digital. Your AntennaWeb.org results will list the network, channel number, call sign, distance, and the true broadcast frequency. To find DTV stations exclusively, click on the “Digital Stations Only” option.
You should now have a list of local TV stations broadcasting in digital, listed in order from easiest to most difficult reception. Focus on the first stations listed, and see which ones are most important for you to receive. Your outdoor HDTV antenna will probably be pointing at a cluster of stations near a major city. If the stations are too spread apart, each at different compass headings, you may need to install a rotator to help a more directional antenna lock onto a signal better.
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.