With so many local television stations now offering up to 4 sub-channels in addition to the lineup on the main channels of programming, the idea of jettisoning cable and satellite services in favor of over the air options has attracted a lot of attention. By choosing the right television antenna, it is possible to enjoy an equitable number of channels without paying anything. When buying a TV antenna, it is important to consider several key factors, including size, type, range, gain and ease of installation. Price is also an important consideration since paying more money may or may not mean better reception.

Steps:

1. Think about the size and type of TV antenna you have in mind. For people living in a high rise apartment in a metropolitan area, a simple indoor antenna that can be placed discreetly on the top of a television cabinet will often pull in all the local channels and sub-channels with ease. People living in 1-story houses located in that same area may find that an outdoor antenna that can be mounted on the roof or at least on the upper casing of a window may be necessary in order to receive those same channels. Renters will need something that is relatively small in scale and can be mounted and removed with ease, while homeowners can go with one that is larger and more permanent.

2. Evaluate the range and gain that the broadcast antenna is likely to provide. Most antenna producers make certain assumptions when identifying the average range of an antenna, such as the level of the general terrain and the antenna being suspended a certain level above the ground. Take the average range and gain with a grain of salt if you live in hilly country or a low-lying area of the city.

3. Consider the ease of installation. For an indoor antenna, all that is usually required is plugging the unit into a digital converter box attached to an analog TV set or directly into a newer high definition set, and then positioning the antenna for the best reception possible. Outdoor antennas may require running additional cable as well as mounting brackets that can be used to keep the antenna in position.

4. Determine the ease of use associated with a particular design of TV antenna. Many outdoor antennas are equipped with remote controls that make swiveling the antenna a simple task. This is in contrast to the antennas of decades past that had to be turned manually in order to bring in different channels.

5. Compare the costs. The TV antennas of today are often compact, with some indoor and outdoor models being as small as the average magazine. Cost does not necessarily mean greater range or gain, although you will pay a little more for an antenna that is omni-directional or capable of picking up signals coming from multiple directions. If you live east of all the broadcast towers in town, going with a less expensive antenna that picks up signals from one direction will work just as well as the more expensive models.

Tips:

* Where you live makes a huge difference in how well a TV antenna works in your area. People who live in rural areas with more or less even terrain may be able to buy a good quality omni-directional antenna, mount it on the top of the house, and enjoy programming from more than one city.

* While the range of channels picked up with a digital TV antenna will never rival the options offered by cable or satellite providers, you may find that the free broadcast channels include options that are not provided in basic or even extended fee based packages. Depending on the number of stations in your area and the number of sub-channels they operate, you could easily have up to 50 channels at your disposal without paying anything at all after the investment in your antenna.

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