The terms HDTV Antenna or digital TV antenna are deceptive. To receive free over the air digital TV/HDTV you do not need a special HDTV antenna. What you do need is an adequate TV antenna that will receive both VHF and UHF TV signals. These antennas are called combination antennas and are designed to receive both VHF and UHF TV signals. The VHF and UHF frequencies are the same frequencies that have been used to receive analog TV for years. There are a handful of areas in the U.S. that will broadcast all local digital signals on the UHF frequency band. These all UHF areas are listed at the bottom of this page: Best HDTV Antenna. To receive digital TV you will need a digital set top converter box to convert the digital signal to your analog TV so it can receive the new digital signal or a new TV with a built-in digital tuner.
Most so called HDTV antennas are UHF antennas that are designed to receive channels above 14. UHF TV antennas can be smaller in size making them more appealing to the consumer. Most digital signals are currently broadcasting on UHF. However, many stations will move their broadcasting signal to VHF when the analog signals are turned off on February 17, 09. At this time anyone who purchased a so called HDTV antenna that is designed to receive the UHF frequency band may loose some of the channels at that time.
