How to Buy the Perfect Antenna for your TV


The rising cost of cable and satellite TV has forced many Americans to turn to free over the air digital HDTV programming. Major broadcast networks such as ABC, NBC, CBS, FOX, and PBS are all broadcasting in high-definition which means most Americans can enjoy free HDTV programming if they have the correct antenna. Depending on the area you live in, you may have a lot of broadcasted TV programming available. The first thing you need to do before buying your TV antenna is locating the closest broadcasting tower. The page below shows the DTV reception around your house. Please enter your address to locate your towers.



Once you have entered your address, the bar on the left will show you the signal strength around your house. Green bars represent a strong signal and yellow, orange, and red bars represent moderate to no signal. If the bar on the left has more green than any other colors you should look into buying an indoor antenna. However, if the bar on the left has a mix of green, yellow, orange and red you should consider buying an outdoor antenna.






Now that you have a good idea of the type of antenna suitable for your area, the next step is to evaluate your budget. If purchasing an indoor antenna, there are two popular models to choose from; the Spectrum 1 and Spectrum 3






Both of these antennas are fully capable of receiving HD channels and comes fully assembled right out of the box. All you have to do is connect the base, and find a secure place to put it. The Spectrum 1 priced at $29.95 is the most basic indoor antenna. It can only reach up to 45 miles in one direction. It also comes with a magnetic base that can be placed horizontally or vertically. This antenna can receive most of the basic channels perfect for casual viewers and those who are very close to the local towers. It is also very small and portable which makes it very convenient for vacation homes and RVs. The Spectrum 3 is priced at $59.95 although a bit more costly, has a stronger gain than the Spectrum 1. It can reach up to 100 miles in one direction and it is also our strongest indoor antenna. Additionally, the size of the Spectrum 3 is slightly bigger than the Spectrum 1.

Outdoor antennas are usually more expensive than indoor antennas since they have a hard durable shell made to withstand the weather changes and have stronger gain than indoor antennas. The two most popular models to choose from would be the and the Spectrum 100 Omnidirectional Antenna.







Both these antennas are fully capable of transmitting HD channels. The Spectrum 6 priced at $109.95 is more suitable for those who live in rural areas that need a stronger antenna to pick up signals up to 150 miles away. The Spectrum 6 is a great outdoor antenna as long as you have access to signals and are not blocked by mountains or other large objects. This antenna however requires assembly but can be done easily with the manual provided. This is also our best selling long range antenna.


The Spectrum 100 Omnidirectional Antenna which is currently on sale for $99.95 but usually priced at $129.95 is a also great outdoor antenna that is capable of receiving signals up to 45 miles away in every direction. This antenna is more suitable for those who live in the suburbs and are closer to broadcasting towers. It is best to install this antenna on your rooftop to maximize the signal strength. It is also very easy to assemble. Now that you have a clear idea of the differences between the outdoor and indoor antennas it shouldn’t be hard to make the final decision and purchase the perfect antenna for your home!



The above pictures has no station listed on the side and says "No Station Found". This means you won't be able to use an antenna in this area. Your only choice to get television would be cable or satellite.