There’s been somewhat of a resurgence in the popularity of TV antennas within the U.S. This trend has been driven by rising expenses associated with both cable and streaming services, along with extra channel options brought about by digital television advancements. Approximately every fifth household across America currently uses an antenna as their primary source for watching television. Apart from the initial expense of purchasing the antenna itself, viewers can enjoy these added channels at no further cost, potentially achieving superior image quality compared to what many paid TV providers offer.
Selecting an antenna offers nearly as many options as the variety of content available for reception; however, doing some research beforehand will enable you to make a confident purchase and guarantee a quality viewing experience.
We'll go over the necessary steps to determine what type of antenna you require and what signals you could potentially get, after which you can utilize ’s buyer’s guide To assist in narrowing down your options once you're prepared to make a purchase.
The initial step involves determining which television programs are accessible in the area where you reside.
What channels can you access using a TV antenna?
The number and variety of TV channels available depend largely on your location. Generally speaking, being close to major metropolitan centers—where broadcasting towers tend to be situated—means access to a greater range of channels. Conversely, people living in remote regions often have fewer options. For residents near Canada or Mexico’s frontiers, receiving extra stations from these neighboring nations may also occur.
The majority of areas across the U.S. can tune into the four main commercial broadcasters—ABC, CBS, Fox, and NBC—as well as receive programming from their nearby PBS affiliate. These channels often provide extra digital services focusing on specific genres; for example, PBS Kids offers content aimed at younger audiences, whereas MeTV, Cozi, and Antenna TV cater to fans of classic television series.
Winegard
To determine what options are available, we suggest visiting Rabbit Ears. This site simulates TV reception using your antenna's location along with TV transmitter information provided by the Federal Communications Commission (FCC). Signal Search Map This page is exactly where you should be.
• Input your location details (road, town, and region)
• When the map displays your home, click "Relocate pin to the middle of the Map View" beneath the map.
• Set the roughly estimated height of your antenna from the ground level
・Click “Go”
The website will showcase its top prediction for the television channels accessible from your area, accompanied by an estimation of the intensity of their signal strengths (stronger signals correspond to higher figures). Review these channels and networks to determine which ones you wish to capture; jot down the expected signal strength.
Michael Brown/Foundry
Generally speaking, an indoor antenna should suffice for channels with strong signals. For stations listed as having a fair signal, you might need either an attic-installed or outdoor antenna. If the station is labeled as poor, then using a bigger outdoor antenna along with an amplifier would probably be necessary. Channels flagged as bad may prove very challenging to pick up unless extraordinary steps are taken.
Lastly, examine the direction of the transmitters relative to where you're located. Should these transmitters be oriented mostly in one general direction, then a solitary antenna ought to suffice. However, if their positions vary widely, consider using an antenna attached to a rotator—an apparatus capable of rotating the mast holding the antenna so as to adjust its alignment. This might become necessary particularly when signal strength is weak.
Choose an antenna
Now you have all the information needed to make an educated choice. 's selections of antennas span various types, ranging from budget-friendly indoor models to robust rooftop options. Typically, an outdoor antenna offers superior performance regardless of the signal strength. These units tend to ensure far better reception compared to their indoor counterparts, which often represent a trade-off solution.
Martyn Williams/Foundry
As mentioned, not everybody has the option to set up an outdoor antenna. Therefore, we offer various indoor options—from simple, slim designs meant for placement in a window to more advanced, high-gain models designed to enhance signal reception significantly.
Another step higher include compact external antennas that can typically be mounted beside a house, on a balcony, or within an attic area.
A significant number of these enhancements are magnified further still. We've evaluated several rooftop antennas considered top-tier for television reception. These rooftop models generally offer superior signal quality and can capture the highest channel count reliably. Should you decide to set up an antenna independently, remember to prioritize safety measures while on your roof and confirm that all installations comply with regional construction regulations, particularly concerning proper grounding techniques.
Caution! Do not trust the assertions made.
When you explore online shopping platforms or examine the advertisements for antennas, you'll come across numerous questionable assertions.
The primary guideline is to disregard any assertions regarding the advertised range of antennas. The effectiveness of reception hinges on numerous elements such as the transmitting frequency and strength, the position of the transmitter station, the local surroundings near your residence, among others. It’s impossible for an antenna to ensure it will meet its stated coverage distance every time. Instead, follow the approach detailed previously, which considers all these variables.
Jared Newman / Foundry
The second point to keep in mind is that there's no such concept as an HD, 4K, or NextGen TV antenna. The function of an antenna is merely to capture signals regardless of the broadcasting format, thus you can disregard these assertions.
Our antenna reviews take place under actual usage conditions using identical gear and from the same site for each product tested. This allows us to provide you with fair and precise comparisons of all antennas reviewed.
Pay attention tenants, homeowners association members, and those living in apartments
If you lease a house or apartment or reside within an HOA (Homeowners Association) jurisdiction, don't allow others to convince you that installing a TV antenna isn't permissible. Under U.S. federal law, you have the right to set up such equipment thanks to the FCC’s regulations. OTARD In brief, you have the authority to set up a television antenna for receiving over-the-air broadcasts in rented areas or those where you have exclusive use. Should you encounter opposition, consult the FCC webpage mentioned earlier and cite the OTARD regulation.
Attaching the antenna to your television
Martyn Williams/Foundry
Many indoor antennas include a short wire that allows for direct connection to a television or an amplifier, should one be provided. However, some antennas may either ship with an additional cable or necessitate purchasing your own separately.
A TV antenna cable is known as a coaxial cable, often abbreviated as 'coax.' This type of cable features a central conductor responsible for transmitting signals, surrounded by insulation made of plastic material. Additionally, it includes an external mesh shield designed to protect against electromagnetic interference and an exterior jacket meant to safeguard the entire assembly from environmental damage. Coax cables typically adhere to the industry-standard specification referred to as RG-6.
Using high-quality coaxial cable is crucial since these wires lead to signal degradation. To reduce this issue, opt for superior cables and keep their lengths as brief as feasible. In cases where a lengthy cable is necessary, think about incorporating an amplifier, preferably positioned near the antenna end of the setup.
That's how you can select a TV antenna.
That covers all the necessary information for selecting and setting up your TV antenna. While achieving good reception largely relies on technical principles, some aspects may still require a touch of practical experimentation. Should the image quality fall short of what you expect, review each step once more. Experiment with relocating the antenna as this might enhance signal clarity. In case you encounter significant interference, think about incorporating an amplifier into your setup.
Above all, do not surrender! A quality antenna can offer countless hours of complimentary entertainment over several years, hence it’s worth investing some time and funds to ensure you get it correctly.
Not sure which one to purchase yet? Take a look at strongly suggested TV antennas .