How to Make an Outdoor Fractal HDTV Antenna, Homemade HD

[flooflox]

Does this antenna bring in VHF as well as UHF or do I need a separate VHF antenna? Thanks.

[jksones]

I've enjoyed your antenna making; thx for the help to us DIYers. I want to build an outdoor HDTV antenna to mount on the satellite post from DirectTV or in the west attic and want to know whether or not this antenna will work for both UHF/VHF signals? I like the fractal design vs the DB4 but not sure which will serve me best. I am 19 miles east from transmissions in Phx, AZ area and the VHF channels are 8 &10 on Hi-VHF. Will I need to also mount a dipole as well? Thx for any help.

[jermschevy]

nice work man

[inotnad]

@water4fuelh20 Surprizingly well. The copper whiskers have tarnished. I would suggest coating the whiskers with a shellac, also use 10 ga. or thicker wire for better stability. We had a tropical storm come through a month ago, and it weathered well.

[halfbakedshawn]

where in this video does it show how to connect the wire that hooks up to the tv?

[inotnad]

@halfbakedshawn A 75 ohm matching trnasformer is used. At 2:04 begins a series of pics showing the matching transformer (colored Black). Also see my spec drawing address shown at 0:22.

[inotnad]

A 75 ohm matching trnasformer is used. At 2:04 begins a series of pics showing the matching transformer (colored Black). Also see my spec drawing address shown at 0:22.

[justopenupthething]

how do you go about grounding it so that my TV won't be destroyed during a storm?

[inotnad]

@justopenupthething You can buy an Antenna Grounding Block, about 4 to 5 dollars at home depot or radio shack. At the point where your antenna cable enters the house insert the grounding block and from the grounding block run a wire to a grounding rod sticking out of the ground (most houses have a grounding rod around the house). All antennas should have an Antenna Grounding system installed in their setup.

[justopenupthething]

@inotnad why is it that the two sides can't touch? The coaxial cable that I have has a grounding wire attached to it so I was thinking of using it to ground the antenna, but if I do that then I'd have to wire the two sides together to connect them both to the grounding wire. From what I know about grounding blocks they only transmit the energy through the sheath of the cable. What is stopping the energy from traveling down the central wire to my equipment?

[LouR101]

GEEBUS RICE! YOUR MUSIC IS SOOOO FLIPPIN ANNOYING!

Couldnt you just narrate this video, like normal people do!?!?!

[vicksho]

Woul this antenna work for the lower frequency signals?

[inotnad]

@vicksho  You pick up a broad spectrum with the fractal design.

[vicksho]

@inotnad I have linked to your site and got the plans for the fractal antenna (wiskers and all), I just had a doubt on the lower frequency channes, such as 6.-1, 8.1-, 9.1-..etc.., because I did build a slight smaller fractal antenna (indoor) and has trouble picking up the lower frequncies.........I will build your design for the outdoors one and hope to get all that is available on my area......Thanks for sharing your design!!!!,

[inotnad]

@vicksho The higher you can mount the antenna the better. ;)

[inotnad]

The plastic blocks you can find in Home Depot in the moulding section.

Coated 12 ga wire is fine... make sure you scrape off the insulation where ever you make connections.

Aluminum will work fine.

[Groverola]

I have three questions:

1. Where do you get the stock plastic blocks? I've checked Radio Shack, Hobby Lobby, and Home Depot with no luck.

2. Will coated 12 gauge wire work for the whiskers? I could not find bare wire and an antenna guy told me it would not make a difference.

3. Will aluminum screening work as well as the steel screening called for? I could not find steel screening.

[crazyoldwildman]

excellent video and the soundtrack is killer

[jwwm2]

Excellent instructional video, same for music and building techniques. Not sure about the fractal part, though. A cutting edge antenna designer I've followed for a while says bending the wires into fractal doesn't improve reception beyond what you'd have with straight elements. Still, a great production.