Both types of antennas ability to receive a good signal rely on the distance from the transmission tower and any obstacles that lie between the antenna and the tower. Outdoor antennas are usually more powerful than indoor antennas so they are generally more reliable.
UHF and VHF
Most antennas will receive UHF, VHF or both types of signals. UHF and VHF are similar to AM and FM on the radio. So, it is critical to choose an antenna that meets your needs. If you desire channel 8 then you’d want to get an antenna that receives VHF. The same would hold true for UHF and channel 27.
The Federal Communications Commission says that the VHF band is between channels 2 and 13, or frequencies 54 - 216 Mhz. UHF signals cover channels 14 through 83, or frequencies 300 - 3,000 Mhz, though the higher numbers have been or will be reallocated as the digital transition nears.
There is a common misconception that all digital or high definition signals fall within the UHF bandwidth. While UHF may contain many of the digital signals, there are digital and high definition signals on the VHF band. That is why I recommend using the antenna selection tool at AntennaWeb.org.
Antenna Web
Antenna Web is operated by the Consumer Electronics Association. The site is designed to help people locate the best antenna for their area based on their United States address and/or zip code. The only downside is that Antenna Web will only recommend outdoor antennas for your area. So, you’d have to compare the outdoor antenna recommendations with what’s available in an indoor model.