UHF antenna choices

The implementation of DTV is forcing every television broadcaster to purchase a new antenna. Choosing the best antenna to meet all of the station's needs is not a simple task. With tower space at a premium, tower leasing rates soaring, and FCC deadlines approaching quickly, the broadcaster faces new and non-traditional issues-for example: Do I co-locate with others? Do I go on the air with a temporary low power system now and worry about my final higher power system later? Can I or should I broadcast my current NTSC signal and my new DTV signal on the same antenna? These questions have no historic precedent. To answer them, the broadcaster needs to know about the types of antennas available and the advantages and concerns associated with each one. Three types of UHF antennas are on the market today. They are the slot, the panel, and the superturnstile. This paper presents an overview of each of these. Their advantages and disadvantages are discussed, and a decision tree is developed to help choose the best antenna.