DirecTV not as sharp as local channels with rabbit ears?

I'm new to satellite TV this month, and was disappointed that DirecTV's picture is not as sharp and clear as I was getting from local channels with rabbit ears antenna!  What's up with that?

I was getting HD from local channels.  I didn't want to pay $10/month for the HD access fee, because my TV already gets HD.  Is there anyway around this with DirecTV.  Now tonight, I see an advertisement from Dish Network that they don't charge for HD or local channels.

Will DirecTV match, or am I stuck, unless I pay up?