What are the pros &/or cons of digital tv antennas?

UHF an VHF are just frequency bands which TV stations use. VHF Low is 2 to 6, VHF high is 7 to 13, ans UHF is 14 to 51 (RF channels). "HDTV" antennae are just marketing terms for antenna made to receive post digital transition stations.

Cable channels such as A&E and History weren't lost with the broadcast digital transition in 2009, simply because they were never there. They may be lost from analog cable, because cable providers are in the process of a separate digital transition, unrelated to the broadcast transition.

I think you mean the cable digital transition, because of the statement "locals below 13", in which case antennas do not matter to you. Because you do not use an antenna at all, those broadcast channels are not broadcast over the air. To get them back, you need a box from your cable TV provider.

An antenna will only give you access to LOCAL channels.

History, TLC, etc are ALL Cable channels. You need to upgrade to digital cable and get a set-top box.

well with the new digital broadcast system you are limited to what tv stations in your area broadcast in bigger cities you will have more choices. but in small towns and country sides is limited also any bad weather or poor reception will give you bad signal. the channels you listed are most likely not avaliable, the converter boxes are spendy too