I recently hooked up a new converter box to my TV that has an outside antenna. Trying to get ready for next years digital/analog conversion. The picture is great and all was hoooked up correct. However, I get a lot of choppy pictures, where picture seems to break up a lot. Is this in the new converter box or possibly in my wire connection at the top of the antenna? Or possibly with the transmission from the local TV channel.

There is a term called, "Hashing".

The image breaks up into little boxes of trash. Is that what you are seeing. If it is, it is usually related to signal problems when storms are in the area.

Digital sets will, unfortunately require a better antennae system. It's all or nothing usually.

Hashing. OH Great! I also have DISH network and when storms, or even a wind, the signal goes to crap and we loose it altogether. I thought the new way to broadcast TV was supposed to be better than the old. With the old system, I never had hashing!!
This new system totally sucks!! When are they going to really improve it?

There seems to be some confusion here. In this case it's not digital TV, it's signal carrier conversion. TV signals used to be transmitted via analog carrier, and as of Feb 17, 2009, all signals will be carried digitally. Hence the need for the converter box, which merely converts the digital to analog so an older style TV can still be used. This applies only to over the air TV. Cable and satellite won't be affected until 2012.

Is it possible the TV you have is already digital ready, and the addition of the converter box may be causing the problem? Loose connections and old lead in wire could also be the cause-digital is supposed to be more sensitive to this-but then you should have noticed poor pic quality before using the box. The use of a digital compatible antenna is being pushed by the antenna makers. The tech articles I've read say if the antenna is in good condition, there should be no problem. I highly doubt the hashing is caused by storms in the area-you must be having a lot of storms. And the most simple, maybe the box is bad.

The Digital TV Transition: FAQs - Consumer Corner (http://www.dtv.gov/consumercorner.html)

This is a Great site, I have a Signal Level Meter, they tell the strength, and azimuth(degrees) to the station.
I see they have added info you are looking for:
AntennaWeb (http://www.antennaweb.org)
Also has a video.

Strat-good site, brings back memories of my old ham radio/antenna days-unfortunately I now have VERY expensive cable... : (

Chances are that your signal strength for the channel was weak or there can be a fault in your wiring check the ends of your wire and I would recommend changing your antenna to a HDTV antenna.