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An antenna is a practical and inexpensive way to watch TV without compromising quality. As much as antennas are viewed as outdated and old-fashioned, they are anything but that. Their appearance has been updated to reflect today’s style, so cosmetics would be the least of your worries. In addition, they are able to pick up anywhere from 10 to 60 local channels that cable and satellite do not include in their line up. If that wasn’t enough to convince you, the latest antennas also pick up channels in HD. Because TV stations were meant to be watched by over-the-air signals and not through other means that compromise quality, you get the best picture quality with no distortion by using an antenna.

So let’s assume you already knew all of that and were going to buy an antenna anyway… but you live in a rural area. Does that mean that all hope is lost? Of course not! An indoor antenna has different ranges, but in most cases, its maximum range is about 30 miles. This is perfect for those who live in a big city or around a major metropolitan area. Most big cities only span a few miles anyway, so even if you lived in a suburb located 15 to 20 miles out, this indoor antenna will still work just fine.

An outdoor antenna can typically reach up to 70 miles away. Depending on where you are located, you can pick up signals from several towns at once! It is best to invest in a multi-directional antenna because that will allow you to pick and choose stations from all areas. A uni-directional antenna is good if all TV stations were being broadcast from one central tower because the antenna will need only to receive reception from that one location. It is also capable of picking up signals from stations that are within 20 degrees of one another. Any more than that and you will need a multi-directional antenna.

Some important factors to keep in mind are whether there are any tall trees or mountains in your area. Living in a valley directly by a mountain will probably affect your reception, but it also depends on the type of antenna you have. For example, the DB8 rural HDTV antenna was built to pick up signals over 70 miles away, but the manufacturers upped its features and gave it the ability to reach up to 100 miles. An antenna with a stronger range can usually pick up signals better even if there are obstructions in its path.

As always, do your research before making your investment. The DB8 is my recommendation because I have experience with it and am satisfied with the product, but each antenna will work differently in each location. Make sure you buy from an electronics store or an online retailer that will offer customer support if you happen to encounter any problems with installation or figuring out how to get more channels.

Aydan Corkern is a writer, HD enthusiast, and promoter of hdtv antenna and
rural hdtv antenna.