We are independent & ad-supported. We may earn a commission for purchases made through our links.
WiseGEEK

Advertiser Disclosure

Our website is an independent, advertising-supported platform. We provide our content free of charge to our readers, and to keep it that way, we rely on revenue generated through advertisements and affiliate partnerships. This means that when you click on certain links on our site and make a purchase, we may earn a commission. Learn more.

How We Make Money

We sustain our operations through affiliate commissions and advertising. If you click on an affiliate link and make a purchase, we may receive a commission from the merchant at no additional cost to you. We also display advertisements on our website, which help generate revenue to support our work and keep our content free for readers. Our editorial team operates independently from our advertising and affiliate partnerships to ensure that our content remains unbiased and focused on providing you with the best information and recommendations based on thorough research and honest evaluations. To remain transparent, we’ve provided a list of our current affiliate partners here.
Technology

How do I Choose the Best Outdoor Antenna?

Mary Elizabeth
By
Updated May 17, 2024
Our promise to you
WiseGEEK is dedicated to creating trustworthy, high-quality content that always prioritizes transparency, integrity, and inclusivity above all else. Our ensure that our content creation and review process includes rigorous fact-checking, evidence-based, and continual updates to ensure accuracy and reliability.

Our Promise to you

Founded in 2002, our company has been a trusted resource for readers seeking informative and engaging content. Our dedication to quality remains unwavering—and will never change. We follow a strict editorial policy, ensuring that our content is authored by highly qualified professionals and edited by subject matter experts. This guarantees that everything we publish is objective, accurate, and trustworthy.

Over the years, we've refined our approach to cover a wide range of topics, providing readers with reliable and practical advice to enhance their knowledge and skills. That's why millions of readers turn to us each year. Join us in celebrating the joy of learning, guided by standards you can trust.

Editorial Standards

At WiseGEEK, we are committed to creating content that you can trust. Our editorial process is designed to ensure that every piece of content we publish is accurate, reliable, and informative.

Our team of experienced writers and editors follows a strict set of guidelines to ensure the highest quality content. We conduct thorough research, fact-check all information, and rely on credible sources to back up our claims. Our content is reviewed by subject matter experts to ensure accuracy and clarity.

We believe in transparency and maintain editorial independence from our advertisers. Our team does not receive direct compensation from advertisers, allowing us to create unbiased content that prioritizes your interests.

Since mobile antennas on vehicles are outdoors by definition and the location of antennas on portable devices is controlled by where the user takes them, the term outdoor antenna almost inevitably refers to an antenna that is permanently set up and fixed in position. In addition, it is most frequently used to indicate the placement of an antenna when there is the possibility of using the device with an indoor antenna, otherwise the location of the antenna would not need to be specified. An outdoor antenna is generally for radio or television reception, networking, or wireless extension, and when you are choosing an outdoor antenna, it is important to look for the an antenna appropriate to the device it will be connected to.

When you plan to purchase an outdoor antenna, you may plan to mount it on the roof of a building, on an exterior wall, through a connection in an attic, on a balcony, or on a freestanding tower. In mounting outdoor antennas, a rule of thumb is for users to seek a line of site to the transmitter, and it’s also generally best to mount the antenna as high as possible. The location is an important consideration, both for figuring out what type of antenna will work best and be safest in the chosen spot and also to make sure that it will be safe and won’t violate any legal restrictions or regulations. Zoning ordinances are able to restrict outside antennas for considerations of appearance, safety, and capability with regional land use. In addition, condominium association covenants and agreements related to historic preservation may also impact where you are allowed to place an outdoor antenna and how big and tall it can be.

There are many different types and models of outdoor antennas. For example, an outdoor antenna for television may be a VHF (Very High Frequency) antenna, a UHF (Ultra-High Frequency) antenna, a combined VHF/UFH antenna, or an HDTV antenna, alone, or in combination with the other two types. Some are a flat design that is omnidirectional, while others are directional and may be the type that is called either Uda-Yagi, Yagi-Uda, or simply a Yagi antenna; dipole — the type that looks like rabbit ears; or a dish antenna, which is a parabolic antenna. For radio, an outdoor antenna may be for Satellite Radio reception, for FM radios, AM/FM/HD, or other combinations. Whatever type of antenna you’re seeking, you should consider the various models available.

WiseGEEK is dedicated to providing accurate and trustworthy information. We carefully select reputable sources and employ a rigorous fact-checking process to maintain the highest standards. To learn more about our commitment to accuracy, read our editorial process.
Mary Elizabeth
By Mary Elizabeth
Passionate about reading, writing, and research, Mary Elizabeth is dedicated to correcting misinformation on the Internet. In addition to writing articles on art, literature, and music for WiseGEEK, Mary works as a teacher, composer, and author who has written books, study guides, and teaching materials. Mary has also created music composition content for Sibelius Software. She earned her B.A. from University of Chicago's writing program and an M.A. from the University of Vermont.
See our Editorial Process Share Feedback

Related Articles

Discussion Comments

By Markerrag — On Feb 23, 2014
If you're buying an outdoor television antenna, perhaps the best thing you can do is to talk to someone local who knows what they are doing. A lot of antenna manufacturers use so many marketing buzzwords that one would think they could receive broadcasts from as far away as Europe with their powerful, super duper antennas.

The local guy who deals with antennas and TV reception, however, will know what will work in your area and what will not. Outdoor antennas are expensive, but installing one takes some work and you want to get it right the first time.

Mary Elizabeth

Mary Elizabeth

Passionate about reading, writing, and research, Mary Elizabeth is dedicated to correcting misinformation on the Internet. In addition to writing articles on art, literature, and music for WiseGEEK, Mary works as a teacher, composer, and author who has written books, study guides, and teaching materials. Mary has also created music composition content for Sibelius Software. She earned her B.A. from University of Chicago's writing program and an M.A. from the University of Vermont.
WiseGEEK, in your inbox

Our latest articles, guides, and more, delivered daily.

WiseGEEK, in your inbox

Our latest articles, guides, and more, delivered daily.