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Are you looking for the right HDTV outdoor for your location? Feeling overwhelmed? Finding the right antenna does not need to be a stressful task. You will need to keep in mind several factors when you decide on an HDTV outdoor antenna – the most important of which are your TV watching habits and your geographic location.

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 stable signal from an outdoor HDTV antenna.

Your outdoor HDTV 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, where space allows. 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 1 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.

The next step in picking out an HDTV outdoor is researching your local DTV stations. There are several resources you can use for this, but we would recommend AntennaWeb.org. Once there, you will need to enter your address. Use your full street address and ZIP code for greatest accuracy, and let them know the optional information about your home and tall nearby obstructions. Your email address and phone number are not necessary.

Finding the best HDTV outdoor 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 digital television stations exclusively, click on the “Digital Stations Only” button.

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 HDTV outdoor 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 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.