Make a Coat Hanger HDTV Antenna (Weather proof)

A Coat Hanger HDTV Antenna?

OK I watched the below YouTube video and read the below claim...............

"Cheaply, easily an quickly build an HDTV antenna that outperforms amplified store bought antennas made with a few coat hangers and a Balun (also called a UHF/VHF transformer costing around $1.50)"
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EWQhlmJTMzw&feature=related

So I decided to give it a go, took about an hour to complete (While watching baseball in HD, FTA) and the results were nothing less than staggering. I am now pulling in channels from St Cloud that I really should not be able to from the opposite end of the Twin Cities metro area (From inside the house). When I was done I gave it the obligatory PSB coat of flat matt black paint.

Pointing the antenna is easy after consulting http://antennaweb.org/aw/welcome.aspx

Not bad for my first try, now to go bigger and maybe add a Satellite dish for directional signals!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EWQhlmJTMzw

Here is the thread on this subject in the DIY area of the MIGHTY! VisionPlus.US satellite forum!

100% HACKER FREE!

Category:

Science & Technology

Tags:

• PSBsatellite.com
• VisionPlus.US
• Hot
• Dish

[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!

[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 : )

[2011is2012]

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

[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

[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