TV Antenna Buying Guide: Powered by ConsumerGuide and HowStuffWorks

The Basics: TV Antennas

TV antennas, which we thought were a thing of the past, are making a comeback. People have started buying antennas again, due to both the 18-inch-dish satellite revolution and the development of HDTV. You may need a rooftop antenna to receive over-the-air HD network broadcasts. Or you might want to get local channels but have satellite service with no local channel package, so you need an antenna.

Some consumers are also looking into set-top antennas for HD reception. Some of these models are more cutting edge design-wise than the old rabbit ears that you used to plop on your set, and they can set you back a little more as well. Some can run near $100.

If you need a plain old rooftop antenna, you can always go to your local electronics store. Unfortunately, not all homeowners and apartment dwellers can put up the monstrosities that are standard fare in such shops. This has given rise to a new, less obtrusive breed of rooftop antenna. These new models fit under the eaves of a home and don't stick out like a sore thumb. Some of these are amplified to boost the signal. Terk, Radio Shack and RCA are major suppliers of antennas across the country.

How to Shop

The CEA (Consumer Electronics Association) produced a large mapping project that covers every city in the United States. Most consumer electronics retailers (including Radio Shack) have available copies of these color-coded maps that designate what type of antenna you need in your specific area to receive a relatively good signal. You can also go online at a site run by the CEA (www.antennaweb.org) to identify which type of antenna you should get in your specific location. Make sure that you consult the website or the map so that the antenna you buy directly correlates to your city or town.

Many retailers will also install your antenna. If you are buying a new satellite system, it would be a perfect time to buy that antenna and have them install it at the same time. Antenna prices range from $80 to $150, with higher prices generally reflecting a wider receiving area. For rooftop antennas, if you don't want to install it yourself, try to purchase the antenna from a retailer that also offers installation.

Boom

The length of the boom determines the distance at which the antenna can receive signals. The longer the boom, the larger its receiving area.

Dipole Antennas

These are the simplest yet most popular type of antenna, consisting of a straight electrical conductor connected at the center to a radio-frequency (RF) feed line.

Directivity

Directivity is the capacity to receive only the signals at which the antenna is pointed. A highly directive antenna has narrow receiving angles and high "front to back" ratios. If you live in an area where buildings or other obstructions create interference, a highly directive antenna is probably indicated. It is also helpful if adjacent channel interference is a problem.

Front-to-back ratio

This terms refers to the radiated signal level behind the antenna compared to the signal level directly in the center of the main beam. In general, the larger the front to back ratio, the less likely the antenna is to cause interference. However, because the ratio must really be measured at a series of points, rather than a single point, its use can be somewhat misleading, and some manufacturers do not provide a figure for it to avoid misleading the consumer.

HDTV

High-definition TV is a digital standard that features 720p or 1080i signals, for a picture with finer detail and sharper contrast. To receive HDTV, you need a special HD receiver box that can be attached to an HD-ready TV, or you need a TV with a built-in HDTV (ATSC) tuner. HD programming is being phased in on regular and cable channels, and it can be picked up and transmitted by some rooftop antennas.

Operational bandwidth

The range of frequencies over which an antenna works well.

Output impedance

Output impedance is the internal resistance to the flow of electric current and signals, measured in ohms.

RF Input

An RF input can be used to connect an external antenna or cable. Some high-end sets have two RF inputs, allowing you to connect both an antenna and cable simultaneously.

RF Remotes

Remotes equipped with an RF sensor can control devices without being in the same room. The RF beam can transmit through walls and furniture to turn a device on and off or send other commands.

Swing-out, Snap-lock Elements

Many antennas have swing-out, snap-lock elements, making them compact to transport and easy to assemble. The elements capture the incoming signal, so a larger number of elements translates to better reception of a larger number of channels.

UHF

Ultrahigh frequency, the range of the radio spectrum from 300MHz to 3GHz, originally established by the FCC as TV channels 14-83. UHF signals are more likely to suffer due to environmental conditions than VHF signals.

VHF

Very high frequency signals, which range from 3MHz to 300MHz and are transmitted as TV channels 2 through 13. VHF channels tend to have the best reception.

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TV Antenna Buying Guide

The Basics: TV Antennas

How to Shop

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