Better Outside HDTV Antenna

[knowmankind]

Why do I need to strip my wire?

[DIYMakerman]

@knowmankind You need to strip it at least where the contact areas are, or it won't work.

[Wiglesex]

I can get most of my local channels, KYW 3, WCYU 10, WPHL 17 but not ABC 6. Y is this and what can I do about this?

[DIYMakerman]

@Wiglesex This antenna is the best design for most people, but not all. Some people may need to tweek the design slightly for optimum reception. That might mean shorter whiskers, maybe a tad longer whiskers, maybe slightly different spacing of whiskers. Experiment, or go online to an antenna forumn to get a better handle on things.

[Wiglesex]

This works great!!! I can get most of my local channels,kyw

[Hitler8995]

anyone works in Asia? reply PLs

[DIYMakerman]

@Hitler8995 Sure, it'll work in Asia.

[Hitler8995]

@DIYMakerman Thanks man.. I will try it by the way im from philippines. : )

[zekehooper]

wish there was sound.

[DIYMakerman]

@zekehooper Just tried it. I have sound, no problem. I've heard this complaint from others, though, so there must be something to it. Try again, and let me know.

[zekehooper]

@DIYMakerman It is really low. I can barly hear you. I have all the speakers turned to the max and it is barely audible. Don't no why that is?

[derrickcastillo002]

@jwwm2...bro,,,can i use a telephone wire...the copper ones....that wire is used outside when installing a new telephone line..

[jwwm2]

@derrickcastillo002 Sure you could use it as long as it's stripped. You don't say what gauge it is, though.

[illuminatilights]

@jwwm2 - hey man I've watched both videos, I love 'em, exactly what I was looking for. You're brilliant bro! Anyway, I was wondering if you would be so kind as to upload or write a materials list and possibly a diagram too? Thanks!

[mikeymousey]

@jwwm2, you said you used copper wire for the wiskers, could you use steel wire about 12 gauge. The steel wire is more sturdy but do you think it would pick up signal as well as copper wire?

[jwwm2]

@mikeymousey Steel wire will work, but it'll rust if you put it outside.

[Mattyb8562]

I just built this antenna (without the reflecter) and put it on my roof yesterday. It works great! I get all local channels plus some bonus channels from a city 50+ miles away.

I do have one question. Do I need to ground the antenna and if so how?

Thanks for a great video.

[jwwm2]

@Mattyb8562 Yes, you'd better ground it. You can ask detailed questions about grounding at the website mentioned on my better hdtv antenna video.

[LEBLODIA666]

@jwwm2 ---Hey everyone is you guys want to try this project go ahead and do it IT WORKS I live close to Los Angeles and I can watch regular TV now HDTV I'll just buy an interior antenna and build the REFLECTIVE panels to increase the signals and get ready for the NFL playoffs. By the way I've painted the antenna in black and it looks just as good as the ones you buy at the store for $120 or more. Thanks again sir.

[jwwm2]

@LEBLODIA666 I'm happy you like it. Subscribe to my channel.

[LEBLODIA666]

To: jwwm2---I just finished this project today and I didn't spend no more than $20 dollars on the materials and IT WORKS!!!! :-) THIS video is great and the instructions are very clear THANKS a lot sir you are the best.

[VintageWorkbench]

Great video. I made a similar DB8 only the whole array is vertical. I used copper #8AWG wire for the whiskers and stainless hardware. It works good but maybe your whisker dimensions are better. One thing I know for sure is to use 300 ohm flat twin lead from the antenna (connect it to the center of the antenna) and put the balun as close to the TV as you can. Also keep the lead-in wire as short as possible. 300ohm twin lead is not as lossy as coax so your signal will be preserved. Thanks!

[jwwm2]

@VintageWorkbench I have no doubt your antenna works well. My antenna dimensions were first computer modeled, then field tested by a lot of first-rate builders, plus being systematically compared to existing commercial antennas, plus other handmade designs. The only antenna that truly competes with this design is the Gray-Hoverman antenna, specifically, the newest design. Your flat cable idea is absolutely worth investigating.

[Berkner80]

Thanks, I will try it this weekend. I have a MYHD card for my computer but I can only pickup ABC and CBS out of Dallas and that just with one end of a coax cable connected to the card. The other end is not connected to anything. Tried a $40 antenna from Radio Shack but didn't do any better. Hope this works-want to be ready with HD for football season.

[pegasus75]

Definitely an Amazing antenna. Thank you so much !!!

Originally, I made my TV antenna using the "wire hanger" model but replacing the hangers with copper wires, and it worked good. Then I followed this pipe design, and the result is simply amazing. This is DEFINITELY an upgrade.

If you are still deciding on which one to follow, go for the pipe model. You won't regret it. THANKS AGAIN for the GREAT VIDEO..TWO THUMBS UP FOR YOU

[Denfala]

Which video shows how to build the reflector I have watched all 9 of your video's and did not see how to build the reflector?

[southerntechy]

are the diagramed plans available any place online for printing?

[jwwm2]

@southerntechy Look at my other antenna video (A Better HDTV Antenna). The website is an annotation there. More plans and ideas than most people can handle. Good luck, and have fun.

[nasanction]

I bought one of those small HDTV antenna's with the built in rotor. IT SUCKED!

I built your design "doubled" making a DB8. I also used chicken wire as the reflector and painted the antenna silver. I get all 6 stations we can get over 45 miles away in full HD with a good full signal. I have a video called "Humble Homestead first video" that shows my build if your interested.

[shnobi24]

I tried your first design and it works great but I have a question If you use a reflector as you did in this video does it make the antenna a directional antenna?

[ichigo3223]

Does painting the antenna reduces the efficiency? I want to paint it so it help preserve the connections and they don't rust out easily from the rain.

[jwwm2]

@ichigo3223 Some say no, while others are "superstitious" and say it's a bad idea. I have no preference, but if you make one, test it both ways, then let us know.

[shnobi24]

@jwwm2 I tried your first video design and it works great but I have a question, if you but the reflectors on like you did in this video does it make the antenna a directional antenna?

[jwwm2]

@shnobi24 Yes, it will be more directional if you put a reflector. Sometimes that's a good thing, other times, not.

[nasanction]

@jwwm2

I made a double of this design a DB8 and I used chicken wire as the reflector. I also painted the antenna and I get perfect reception from over 45 miles away in full HD.

[jstmars]

jwwm2 - If you want a picture of it let me know I'll email it to you tomorrow.

[jstmars]

I'm totaly pleased with the antenna!

[jwwm2]

@jstmars And I'm totally pleased that you are pleased. It makes me happy that the antenna works well for you.

[jstmars]

The pvc one is way better. Here is the channels - 6-1, 8-1, 10-1, 15-1, 36-13, 39-1, 39-2, 39-3, 43(analog), 51-1 and 69-1. The rest of the channels are in spanish. A few are blank and a few are fuzzy. I have to figure out how I want to mount the pvc antenna then I'll scan the channels and see what happens. I think I'm getting all the channels that are availible so I didn't put a reflector on it. The reflector is going on the another one.

[jstmars]

I just painted it black and its drying. I'll put it up tomorrow and see how it does. Its probably going to be outside, but I'm going to try it in the house first. I'll post what channels it gets as soon as its up and I'll snap a picture.

[jwwm2]

@jstmars Do you have it in, or out? How many stations are you getting? Did you aim it per instructions by cowsgonemadd3, or just stick it up? Let us know.

[jstmars]

Ok here is the scoop. With the wood Babblin5 Antenna Between 14 and 23 feet up the tv scans between 24 to 30 channels, so I built the pvc pipe antenna. I'm gong to put it out side. I just havent figured out where and how I want to install it yet, so I just leaned it up against the house facing south, south west. It picks up all the same chanels as the wooden one without having to raise it up above the roof. Niether antenna gets channels 6-1,8-1 and 10-1 from inside the house.

[jwwm2]

@jstmars Just wondering if the channels you aren't receiving are listed as green or yellow on tv fool.

[jstmars]

How far did you measure down from the top for the first stand off?

[jwwm2]

@jstmars 2 or 3 inches is best, especially if you plan on having a reflector.

[jstmars]

jwwm2 - Ok perfect thanks. I built it. Its pretty cool. I just got to take it apart and paint it now. I used a peice of left over sprinkler pipe, but its not very thick, so I'm going to home depote today and get a peice like you show in the video. Thanks for posting your video on how to build this. Its great. Jason - El Cajon, Ca.

[jstmars]

How far did you measure down from the top for the first stand off?

[soundspan4]

I just finished my rig as per your video, installed it in the attic and it works like a charm. I held off on building a reflector at first but soon found out that It was a must. I live on the Outer Banks of NC and most signals are a pretty good distance away. Thanks for the help!

[Virginialogging]

How would I make this into a DB8 antenna?

I'm told that's what I need here since most of my stations will be beyond 40 miles.

I think your design would be a DB4 so what do I use to attach two like yours to the same coax?

Thanks for posting your design.

[ifezine]

Will the reception on something like this be more effective than that old antennae I have on my roof left over from the 50s and 60s? The odd thing is, I know if I go 2 miles down the road I can pick up at least 2 additional channels using bunny ears (I've seen this done) that I'm not receiving with my old roof antennae. Will building an antennae like this amp up my range?

[jwwm2]

@ifezine Depends. The new HDTV signal is mostly UHF. The old VHF signal is mostly gone for TV. A big, (probably) VHF Yagi antenna won't help UHF reception much. The antenna in my vid is designed for the new frequencies. Still, there are other factors. Placement, obstacles like buildings, trees, ect, all make a difference. PLUS, aiming a HDTV antenna is critical. cowsgonemadd3 did a good Youtube video job at explaining that. My answer is yes, but qualified. Good luck, and have fun.

[ifezine]

Thanks for the prompt reply! I'll definitely be making this whether it helps or not. I suspect it will, but I suppose it's a "we'll see" scenario. Thanks again and keep posting!

[ozlo]

Just completely mine and mounted it to the roof yesterday. I still need to come up with a more permanent mount that will still allow me to easily rotate it if need be. But just pointing it in the general direction where most of the area's towers are, I'm easily able to get all local stations with 75-100% signal quality. One is from 40 miles away, and I'm sure I could do more distance if I rotated it the other way around.

[SquirrelOfDeathTW]

Thanks for this video. I built this yesterday and when I went to trim the whiskers I wasn't sure where to measure from. To be safe I trimmed from where the whiskers emerged from the washers, but I'm thinking I should be measuring from the phase lines. Not a huge difference (about 1/2 an inch) but I live in an area with spotty reception so I want to maximize my chances. :)

[jwwm2]

@SquirrelOfDeathTW Close enough. Anyway, 9 1/2 or 10", the main thing is uniformity. Besides, the 10" length is best for most people, but some will do better with 9 1/2.

[arman212]

Can you post a parts list?

[harmony850]

Thanks for the video, very nice job. You have advanced your construction methods by leaps and bounds from the previous attempt. One thing I have found while doing the research for my own antenna: try narrowing the air gap between reflector bars to 2 inches or less, any gap larger than this is considered ineffective, maybe you don't need the reflection part of you antenna? Also has anyone reported back with the longest reception distance? Have you ever pre-amped your antenna?

[jwwm2]

@harmony850 The other vid was an attempt to make it as easy as possible for the inexperienced. I don't need a reflector, but I showed this example for those that do. One guy said (I think) 92 miles, but on a hill, then over flat terrain. Distance isn't the exact idea behind this antenna. The big idea is VHF-hi plus all other UHF bands used for TV. Distance is only a plus. No, I've never preamped. I should try it, though.

[ozlo]

It looks as though you are using a smaller gauge and different type of wire for the phase lines. Is this so?

[jwwm2]

@ozlo No, all the wire is the same.

[PrinceMio49]

I used 10-3 (house wiring) for mine because the store had no alternatives, it was a lot of work stripping though. Also I soldered some loop connectors on each end on the phase lines to hold them in place, worked real well.

My other one was made with 10 gauge because no one told me what to use, and it works poorly.

[jwwm2]

@PrinceMio49 I'm happy this is working well for you. You sound like you know what you're doing. Since you're good at soldering, maybe soldering the connections between the phase lines and whiskers would make it stronger, and more weather-proof.

[jwwm2]

@PrinceMio49 The key here isn't rosin or acid, but rosin core would be my choice. Flux and a very hot iron, or maybe a propane torch is the way to go. For either you'd need to do each phase line/whisker connection in place, and protect your standoffs with a fairly heavy heat resistant shield. It's tricky though, seems like you need three hands, and you DO need a hemostat, which RS sells for less than $10. That wire gets HOT, I kid you not. Be careful.

[PrinceMio49]

@jwwm2 I'll try that on my next model. Also I am looking for some caps to put on the end so no one pokes they eye out. I saw some rubber vacuum plugs at an auto parts store that would work well if I can get the right size.

[PrinceMio49]

I commented on the previous video, but this is the one I built, it is a great antenna.

[jwwm2]

@PrinceMio49 I think so, too. I didn't design it, but it works well for most people.

[PrinceMio49]

I have the other design made, but I think I am going to try this. I live in an apartment and will have to put it out on my patio, thanks for posting.

[fred30680]

Seems you go to so much trouble to keep the wires apart. Then you cross them, is there a reason for doing this ?

[jwwm2]

@fred30680 There are reasons. The easiest answer is that decades of physics, experimentation, computer modeling, and field testing by thousands of people that know a lot more than I do show that this technique works best.

I'm not trying to make your question seem foolish, because it isn't. This video shows one of the most up to date designs available for HDTV reception. The other is the Gray-Hoverman, which is still being refined. Goog le it.

[fred30680]

I am unclear on something I have heard that on this type of design you get one or the other UHF or VHF but not both is this true ?

[jwwm2]

@fred30680 Not true. This design receives both. For an antenna built on this basic model, UHF and VHF reception depends mainly on element length. Other factors come into play, like distance from elements and phase lines, and how well an antenna is made.

[Heavenstomergatroid]

GOOD IDEAS.....POOR audio....Have no problem with your accent. Maybe you need a DO-OVER with the sound.

[Snazuolu]

oh 1 cheap method for getting copper wire, is to get the house wiring 12/2 i think is what i used and then just strip hte copper wire out of, and then strip off the insulation. cheaper then buying outright copper wire for some reason.

[jwwm2]

@Snazuolu Good tip.

[Snazuolu]

i made this antenna last ntie and it works ALOT better then my wooden hdtv antenna. biggest difference is i can get channel 13 now. i did even pick up 24 and 38 also. 1 thing i did different is i used bolts and nuts to hold everything together as it gets windy around here. i also soldered everything together.

[Northwest43]

Nice... I think Ill cheapen up the materials for attic use and build this.  Where did you get the solid copper wire, and how thick is it? If the whiskers are "wavy", misshapen, or otherwise non-symmetrical, does that affect reception? How careful are you to straighten out every little kink, and ensure that all the V's lie in the same plane?

[jwwm2]

I got the wire from an electrical contractor, but Home Depot has it. That wire is 10 gauge, but 12 is ok for inside. Do a search on jwwm2, and look at my wire straightening video. The better and more consistent you make it, the better it'll work.

[acravatt]

Outstanding, any chance of getting a copy of that design?

[jwwm2]

A bunch of people have asked me that. I can't give you a pdf yet. I keep planning to get a website, but one thing after another... I'll get something going soon

[nrox653]

You can host it on a site like MediaFire or Rapidshare, it doesn't have to be your own site.

[jstmars]

You can build a website for free using google apps / google sites and the hosting is free. You just have to pay about 10 bucks for the domain name. Its very simple.

[28xcountry]

in trying to not mount on wood and instead of pvc pipe .. how do you think it would be to merely mount to a vinyl solid garage door exterior jamb. cut to 3inch width,, its usually 3/4 thickness so would be plenty to secure to. ? j/m/o

[jwwm2]

I think that idea is first-rate. Let me know how it works.

[bobo888bobo]

Very nice! I think the pvc pipe would hold up better to moisture than wood which could warp.(in the previous design). At the end what you call aluminum picture frame looks like it might be window screen frame which is common in yard sales.

gmcjetpilot, I think it looks like 3/4" grey schedule 40 pvc pipe that is used for electrical conduit.

[jwwm2]

Thanks. That actually is a picture frame, but anything like that would be great as a reflector. You're right about the PVC also. Costs about $1.50 for 10 feet.

[gmcjetpilot]

What size pipe is that? Schedule and diameter. Not sure I understand what "two-thirty-six-five-R". Thanks

[jwwm2]

I can understand the confusion here after reviewing the vid. What I am saying in the video is,"Two 36 ((meaning inch) pieces) five ARE (not R) 2 3/8 (inches)

Might be because of my NE accent.

Best wishes

[gmcjetpilot]

Nice video good work. Very informative. Thanks