Antenna Selection for Local Broadcast Reception

Factors that Determine Signal Reception:

• Height of TV Station Transmitting Tower
• Transmitter Power
• Transmitter frequency (TV channel)
• Height of Receiving Antenna
• Terrain Between the Transmitter and receiving antenna
• Obstacles between the transmitter and receiving antenna (tall buildings, water tower, etc.) An attic installation is obstructed.

Distance from the transmitters - the closer you are to the transmitters, the stronger the signals will be so a small antenna may be all that's needed.  The farther away you are, the weaker the signals will be so a bigger antenna may be more appropriate.

Topography - if there are obstructions such as building, hills, and trees between your location and the transmitters, then expect the signals to be blocked or reflected and impact the signal that reaches your antenna.  If the blockage is significant, you may not even get any signal at all.  For multipath plagued locations, directional antennas are best.

Every installation is Unique!

Note that above are not hard and fast rules.  Every installation is unique, so what works in one installation may not work in another.   What works for your neighbor may not work for you.  It's a trial and error type exercise for the most part. 

• If you'd like, try a small set top antenna first and see if you can pick up any signals from your home theater.  If you can pickup a decent signal,
• Then progressively move up to the bigger antennas at various locations in and out of the house until you get a respectable signal.

What works for one might not work in your situation. So, be open minded and be flexible. 

Antenna Recommendations

Note:  Prices listed below are from Yr 2000.  Prices might have changed since then.  Please check the sources for more updated pricing.

Here's a quick run down of recommended OTA antennas:

• Outdoor/attic - Channel Master 4248 ($45) or Winegard 9095 ($65); both are UHF only yagi antennas; ideal for fringe installations

• Smaller outdoor/attic/indoor - Channel Master 3021 ($25); UHF only; good for applications near or not too distant from the station transmitters

• Indoor - Antiference Silver Sensor (about $35) or the Radio Shack UHF double bow-tie ($17); good for applications near or not too distant the station transmitters; Antiference is effective in combatting multipath

Don't bother with the Terk models. They are more hype than performance.

Rule of thumb for antenna: The larger the antenna the more elements. The more elements the more gain. The more gain the better the reception.    This is especially true for fringe installations:   the bigger the better, the higher (i.e, rooftop install) the better.

Outdoor Installations and HOA Restrictions

Unless one of the conditions apply, you should be able to install your antenna outdoors

• Your property is maintained by the community/HOA
• Your antenna is too close to power lines or will jeopardize the safety of persons or property
• Your property is within a community that is considered historic,  e.g. registered in the National Historical Register

But to be sensitive to your neighbors and the community, you should at least install the antenna in the least conspicuous location without degrading your signal reception.

To learn more about FCC's ruling on outdoor antennas, read these

• Over the Air Reception Rule
• Fact Sheet Multihousing DBS Dish Ruling Preemption of Restrictions on Placement of Direct Broadcast Satellite, Multichannel Multipoint Distribution Service, and Television Broadcast Antennas
• Satellite Home Viewer Improvement Act of 1999 [Feb. 2000]
• Preemption of Restrictions on Placement of Direct Broadcast Satellite, Multichannel Multipoint Distribution Service, and Television Broadcast Antennas[1999]
• FCC document 98-273
• Implementation of the Satellite Home Viewer Improvement Act of 1999 (CS Docket No. 99-363)
• FCC document 98-273[Oct. 99]

Other Antenna Needs