This is a how to video for building a HDTV antenna rhat will beat the coathanger design, and most commercial antennas, for that matter. This antenna can easily be made with tools you mat already have on hand. All of the materials can be picked up at the local home center with the possible exception of the balun (300 to 75 ohm transformer). Sometimes that item is unavailable, but they're supposed to stock it. Same for Wal-Mart, and K-Mart.
A Better HDTV Antenna
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{ 25 comments… read them below or add one }
@acoustic61 Either way. The vid says screws, but you can use what you have, or feel like. Have fun.
Do you use nuts and bolts or self-apping screws?
actually i built the antenna and it DOES work.
thanks
@Drift88king Not as far as I know.
@Drift88king Not so far as I know.
@dotdot24 It’ll work with the transformer near the tv, but the connections still need to be at the center.
would it if i put the transformer close to the tv?
do you know if it works for frequencies 65-550 ?
@jnoble6987 I put mine in the attic. It works great.
Look like it is going to be so easy, I can do this someday. Great video!
Nice vid, informative and a great contribution.
Thanks for the video. Tried the design. Works. Used your pictures and comments. Signal strength is as good as a large antenna but the HD signal this spring (2010) seems to be weaker and much more prone to interference (not the fault of the antenna). Will try a screen to see if that helps, but I haven’t found your video of your screen design yet. Roland
cool
Can I solder the copper wires together instead of brazing. would it matter what i use to solder them?
My local Lowes has a coil of bare 6 gauge that is a good price and requires no stripping. Is it all right to use that heavy a gauge?
omg its huge i don’t want that big piece of crap in my yard thanks a lot though
@aerobill Yes, VHF-hi, plus UHF. All the frequencies used for US television right now.
Do you get both UHF & VHF Channels?
I looked at a mapquest of Muskoka just now. Looks like mostly flat terrain, plus some lakes toward Toronto, which is only 50 miles away. I’d be amazed if you couldn’t pick up enough stations to make building this antenna very worthwhile.
@gymec Where in Ontario? I’m in Muskoka and wondering if it would work.
@chrisnotap That question goes on and on, but the answer is no. This antenna has been computer modeled and field tested both ways, and if there is any loss, it’s too minor to worry about.
are you not defeating the purpose of the insulator tubes by using long screws that go through the tubes and into the wood?The whiskers are now connected to the wood. I’m assuming the moisture content in the wood is why you do not want to use wood and better to use pvc??? Nice video.
made some adjustments to this design so that all wireing is completely insulated from the “mounts:…..I live 30 miles from Orlando….Picked up 42 strong digital stations and thats with the antenna at ground level. Absolutely remakable
@nikolord3 If you can find it for free, please share. Everybody likes free.
i gotta big question, what kind of materials they using for? or where can they get it for free. its a simple quiestion doesnt it?
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