A Better HDTV Antenna

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.

Category:

Education

Tags:

• antenna
• HDTV
• better
• DIY

[FletcherHabit]

what about covering the reflector board with tinfoil? ive seen some ppl do that

[jwwm2]

@FletcherHabit You can do that, but make sure you actually need a reflector first. Most people don't.

[FletcherHabit]

@jwwm2 how much copper wire  and will 12 gauge do?

[jwwm2]

@FletcherHabit Sure. It'll work okay.

[comporium22]

I have put the antenna together following your directions fairly closely. After a day, I am having trouble with a weak signal. The stations go in and out occasionally. I have it in my attic. I think a reflection wall may help with reception. What would you use for the wall and how would you make it? Thanks for your help.

[jwwm2]

@comporium22 Watch the vid I made on an outside version of this antenna. I give examples of what to use in that vid. Better Outside HDTV Antenna. Don't forget that aiming is even more important when you use a reflector. cowsgonemadd3 did a good video explaining how to aim a hdtv antenna.

[rickcain2320]

9.5" whiskers are best for hitting the UHF sweet spot of channels 14-52. If you are trying to get reception from multiple towers its often best to leave the reflector off so the antenna can pick up from 2 opposite directions.

[tregnabm]

I made the 7" x 5 3/4 coat hanger version of this and it works well. I'm in an urban area though. Still, there is one station that I have trouble with, pixelation and audio problems, and I may give this design a shot and see if it resolves the problem. Thanks for sharing

[TheSledger69]

Hello, i cannot find that copper wire anywhere.. what did you use?

[zix088]

@jwwm2

Glad you mention better OUTDOOR antenna but i would like to know why it is better outside.

I have built all sorts of size variants of coat hanger antennas using copper, aluminum or plain hanger steel.

My personal best result indoor is 8 inches whiskers , 7 inches between bays and 1,25 to 1,5 inches between phase lines. Your antenna specs perform less good indoor . I wish i could use it outdoor but here it is not possible.

Thanks for the fine video

[water4fuelh20]

How is this antenna's performance in rain and snow? Thanks

[supastardjfrosty]

@comporium22 Diamensional Shingles on your roof? Diamensional Shingles will kill a digital signal. Try the antenna outside of your attic.

[jimmyjofine]

The 8 bay has increased gain over the 4 bay, but it's also much more directional. In my situation this has proved useful in receiving the weaker stations 60 miles away. I am currently experimenting with some new builds using different element sizes as well as different spacing between the elements. I am building them out of pvc instead of wood and they are even better performers. If I can tweak the new 4 bay I just built, I may replace the 8 bay with it since its performance is comparable.

[MrSweetieJayDub]

@jimmyjofine How much better is the 8 bay than the 4 bay?

[MarketingVideography]

Want the best customer rated hdtv indoor antenna ?

[BigRoach1962]

THANKS MAN I LIKE IT