VHF vs. UHF

• According to HDTV Antenna Labs website, Very High Frequency (VHF) signal reception requires larger antenna elements, so indoor VHF antennas are most often the rabbit-ear style. Ultra High Frequency (UHF) antennas are smaller in size. Indoor antennas can receive either VHF, UHF, or both VHF and UHF frequencies.
  
  

Direction

• Directional antennas collect signals from one direction. These may need to be moved or turned when the television channel is changed. Multidirectional antennas collect signals from all directions, so may be better for homes located between two or more broadcasting stations.
  
  

Strength

• Antennas that collect strong signals are less likely to lose stations during bad weather or because of other interferences. Improve the signal of an antenna by adding an amplifier or by repositioning the antenna until a channel is clear. Some indoor antennas have built-in amplifiers. These are best for areas more than 20 miles from station towers.
  
  

Certification

• AntennaWeb.com recommends confirming that an antenna is certified by the Consumer Electronics Association before purchasing. Look for the label, "Meets or Exceeds CEA Performance Specifications for Indoor Antennas," circling a red check.