Over the air tv question

[Betty]

I've got an HDTV that we currently have Dish Network for. I'm considering getting rid of it and going to an antenna.

I bought a cheapy one over the weekend to try out and see what sort of reception we got. Unfortunately we got zero channels.

The very un-articulate lady at Radio Shack was trying to tell me something about a cable box but I sort of ignored her ... well... because she wasn't able to explain what she was talking about telling me if I had a cable box I could use them both. It was like she heard someone say something about it once and was trying to relay the info but it just wasn't coming together.

Now though I'm thinking perhaps she meant I was going to need a converter box. I'd forgotten all about that whole thing.

Do I still need one of those? Is that why I'm not getting a signal? Or is it more likely my location on a hill and down in a little impression. I'm pretty sure I'm going to be out of luck on the antenna unless it's an outdoor one on the roof and even then I'm not sure.

Anyone know about the converter boxes, antennas and over the air tv?