Watch free HDTV with an outdoor antenna

WARNING: CNET Networks is not responsible for any injuries or problems that may occur when installing an antenna. Please take proper safety precautions if you decide to install your antenna in any potentially dangerous location.

Check the list of stations from Antennaweb.org and try to find a location on the roof that's free of obstacles between it and the principal broadcast direction. It's a good idea at this point to choose one broadcast tower as the main one and decide to aim your antenna there--splitting the difference between two broadcast towers doesn't work that well for digital signals. If you have two nearby broadcast locations that are equally desirable and more than 30 degrees apart, you could install a device called an antenna rotator, but that's beyond the scope of this project. Alternately, you could mount separate antennas pointed in opposite directions.

Now assemble the rest of the antenna, but mount it only enough to keep it fixed in one location (permanent mounting will come later). You should leave plenty of play so that the antenna is easily adjustable along all of its axes. HDTV antennas are highly sensitive to location and obstacles, so you want to have the option to move the whole assembly if you need to.

Next, attach the coaxial cable and run it down to your television or receiver. Don't affix anything permanently yet, since you may have to move the antenna. You may have to eventually drill through walls for a clean installation, but for now, just run it through the window.

Placement tips

• HDTV antennas are usually designed to point in the direction of one source and reject other sources (multipath). Keep this in mind during placement.
• The behavior of the antenna is affected by nearby large metallic objects. Try to keep a few feet of distance between the antenna and such objects.
• If you live in lower area with a hill or large obstruction between you and the principal broadcast location, you may not be able to receive a signal at all. In this case, you'll have to get cable or satellite for HDTV.
• If you live more than 70 miles from the broadcast tower, you may need to elevate the antenna higher than the house to receive a signal.