Make a Coat Hanger HDTV Antenna (Weather proof)

[2011is2012]

lightning will love that thing, so will your TV. Hope its grounded very well.

[soupsdone]

PSB2USA, I want to thank you for the detailed specs on your site. If I were to build an antenna this weekend, which model would you suggest? I live 12 miles from all of the stations in my city (I can see the towers it's so flat). Should I go fractal or "coat hanger" type? What are the pros and cons of each design? I've seen folks who place them in their attic. Even if they are properly grounded, is this a safety hazzard?

Thanks again for sharing your knowledge.

-Soup

[psb2usa]

THANKS for joining the SatellitePlus.US forum, There is no down side to the coathanger antenna at all. and since its in your attic no need to ground at all. (Only outdoor antenna need grounded, as there is no wind in the attic to build up static in there, and no weather problems. Sure your signal will not be as good as outside but the height and distance to the tower will compensate for that!

[soupsdone]

@psb2usa Well, I made the "coat hanger" design last night using galvanized cable (1/4" thick). It worked very well. Again, I'm only 12 miles or so from the station towers. It cost me a grand total of $5.70 for the 300-75 ohm transformer plus scraps and hardware from my garage. I'm serious when I say the clarity was better than through my AT&T Uverse connection. You've got me on my way to cutting the cable. I'm off to research media PC options now so my wife can stream some of her shows.

[bluejay148]

hi how did you coat the elements and the transformer

[shipdog7]

Do all you people live in an area of no lightning, or storms?

Wouldn't this setup be a magnet for one of Gods laws of nature?

I would think you need to built it far from your house to avoid fire from being hit with a lightning bolt.

[psb2usa]

All my installs are grounded to local, State and NEC code : )

[7722993]

@shipdog7 This is really DUMB.... Proves Nothing, Nothing......

[Drift88king]

does it work in Australia?

i heard you can only get high frequencies with this one? is that right?

[MrGoldxbox360]

i built this antenna and it is way better then are $50 amplified HD TV antenna. i used a thicker clothes hanger than most

[slw2222]

Came here looking for an antenna definitely going to try this found some awesome music too.

Does anyone know the name of the song?

I like the music psb2 you have good taste.

[psb2usa]

Band = The Motion Sick

Title = Even if I had a satellite

[slw2222]

thnx that was a fast response man.

[psb2usa]

No prob. online all the time at

SatellitePlus (dot) US

[jkezar]

Great Vid! Leaves me a little Motion Sick though... Perhaps it would be a little better if I had a Satellite....

[nsayer]

This is just like a channel master 4221 without the screen - a phased array of 4 "bowtie" dipoles. Adding the screen will improve the F/B ratio, which will cut down on multipath problems.

Note also, that this antenna is only good for UHF. You'll need to add a VHF dipole.

One of the advantages of the new so-called "HD" series from Channel Master is that they've dual-purposed the screen. For UHF, it acts as a screen, but for VHF hi, it acts like a dipole. That's how they can work from 7-51.

[WinterHaven]

Jesus! What are you trying to pick up? Signals from aliens or something?? LOL

[ellisiln]

this guy's REALLY into his antennas.

[conkoumis]

would a fractual antenna of the same size yeild better results? What would be the range of this antenna, since i live in Australia it would be great to pick up as much hdtv as possible.

[romelz32]

it is really work if i will try here in philippines?

[psb2usa]

Not sure if it will work in the Philippines. Worth a try and PLEASE tell us how it works for you there! THANKS

[swanutt]

Hello, Hey how imperative is it on what metals to use, steel, copper or aluminum, any not work as well? also you made a smaller one, does the size make any difference?

[pooldawg15]

now if i m correct, the distance from one ray of the angle to the other HAS to be three inches right??

[psb2usa]

2.75 to 3" yes!

[pooldawg15]

so it dont matter which way you angle the hangers or mount them. just get them on there i guess

[psb2usa]

I think it does matter, follow the directions and dimentions. (Click on (more...info) to the right of this reply on this page)

[pooldawg15]

since nobody on another video will answer my others here ya go!

A) the way you mount the hangers cutting wise and marking wise, B) how much of the hanger did you scrape, C) what kind of transformer can u use to get the most channels, and to top it all off, D) how many channels were you able to pick in. oh yeah, can you put a rotar on it and will it work outdoors. what would it take to make it work safely outdoors??

[psb2usa]

I just scraped all of the coathanger but all you need to do is the contact points.

I use a standard $2.50 balum or transformer from menards / Homedepot. I have tried a 3-4 brands and they are all much the same. I will say the outdoor one I tried did seem weaker than the rest? But that may just have been that one.

I get 10 channels but remember there are sub carriers, so there are 3 channel 17's.... 3 channel 41's....

[K7DFA]

That should be a regular 4 : 1 BALUN [not balum] (Balanced [300 Ohm line] to UN-balanced [75 Ohm coaxial cable]) transformer, btw. The reason they all seem to be pretty much the same is that there is only one way to make them and unless you really screw it up.....

[pooldawg15]

thanks. what is the 00011110101011 for? So basically youre saying that you need the converter with the antenna to pick up digital.

[psb2usa]

Yes you need the box or a new TV

011010101011000110101011110011­0

Is a digital stream :) It's how computers talk to each other. Basically even the smartest computer can only see 0 or 1's Digital devices also see this code, they then turn it into a digital TV picture/audio

[pooldawg15]

oh yeah......if you spray the transformer with paint, will it be okay to leave outside at all times (not messing up, basically waterproof)?? to me outdoor antennas tend to do better in signal.

[pooldawg15]

thanks psb2usa. next 1. can you use the antenna to pick in digital or do you need a converter. i m hoping i dont because my coupons expired=)

[psb2usa]

yes, I built it only for digital, does not work as good with analog. With digital as long as it picks up the 00011110101011 then you get a PERFECT picture. Sorry to hear about the coupons :(

[pooldawg15]

so you insulate the x with a coating of spray paint to keep it from touching. if im wrong tell me what to use. please reply

[psb2usa]

I used shrink tube plastic, and THEN painted over everything to make it weather proof ; )

[psb2usa]

Like a drinking straw would also work!

[victorrotary]

i have a question!

in the x the wires made contact?

or you insulate that area?

[psb2usa]

insulate

[victorrotary]

ok

+ and negative no made contact in the antena!

[psb2usa]

Right! Have fun :)

[UGLandrum]

Most coat hangers that look kinda like a dull brass, have a varnish on them, but yea it is a good idea to insulate. Just thought you'd like to know, btw psa2usa, I like that music and you must not pay anything for tv reception, all FTA and OTA?

[Country1608]

u look like a FTA fan LOL

[PAINTRAIN5]

It looks more like a very effective implement of torture!!!

[amazingdany]

There are so many satellite dishes in the backyard... !

[Dinowarrior21]

I built one of these but I had problems when it rained down here in Miami, FL. It was inside house at about 5 ft off the ground. The reason might be that the broadcast antennas are far away and it needs to be higher. But that is a guess. Has anyone have ever tried to make an HD antenna Array and combine the signals from several antennas?

[Eastyles]

Should it matter if the hangers don't come wrapped in rubber/plastic? I have bare metal hangers.

[psb2usa]

Bare metal is IDEAL! Make sure to file down/bare the contact areas!

[artgoat]

Should the places where the long wires cross be insulated from each other? Or does it matter?

[psb2usa]

I put plastic over the cross over contact points, I am sure it matters as a Pal did'nt and had horrific results!

[Zachstar2000]

Thanks! The main vid did not seem to make that clear enough.

[bsr2002]

Are you picking up VHF and UHF or just UHF?

[tngu77]

According to the video description, the use of a Balun (a.k.a. VHF/UHF transformer) does pick up VHF and UHF signals.

[Zachstar2000]

I do not see a dipole so most likely no.

But it seems very few stations are in the VHF. and in the case of that it may be a better idea just to use a splitter and attach some rabbit ears on the inside. Tho another video shows a person who attached an amplified unit to this type on antenna.