Claims that indoor digital TV antennas can receive signals from hundreds or thousands of miles away are misleading, as over-the-air television depends on a clear enough line of sight to a local transmitter. The Earth’s curvature, along with buildings, trees and terrain, limits reliable reception, so an antenna cannot overcome these physical constraints simply through higher stated range or gain.

The article notes that some online listings claim ranges up to 6,000 miles, despite London and Los Angeles being about 5,454 miles apart. Antenna maker One For All suggests indoor antennas are normally most suitable within 15 miles of a transmitter, while Antennas Direct puts the effective line-of-sight limit for UHF signals at roughly 70 miles; outdoor placement can help by improving height and reducing interference from walls.