Homemade HDTV Antenna

Instead of paying the cable TV or satellite TV companies, we can make HDTV antenna at home and enjoy watching our favorite channels. If HDTV antennas are placed near the broadcasting center, then the number of channels viewed are more and the quality is good. With homemade HDTV antenna, mostly all local channels can be viewed. You can view at least sixty TV channels. You will have to shell out some money initially for buying the components, but once you have made it, you hardly need to spend anything.

Steps to Make HDTV Antenna

Method 1:

• The materials required for making a HDTV antenna are; 22 inch section of size 2*3 or 1*3 board, 18 washers, 15 feet long wire, 18 screws, reflector grid, screw driver, one balun, drill, pliers and wire cutters.
• Choose a board of size 2*3 or 1*3 and mark a line at a distance of 2 inch. Mark three lines at a distance of 5¼ inch each.
• Choose eight wires, each 14 inch long.
• Find the center of the wire and bend each wire into 'V' shape, with 7 inch long legs and a distance of 3 inches between the ends of the leg.
• Attach the eight 'V' wires to the board using screws and washers.
• While attaching the wires, make sure that the ends of the wire do not touch each other.
• Attach two reflectors at the other side of the board. The reflector should not touch the wires.
• Attach a balun to the two center sections of the wire. The two connections should not touch each other.
• This readies your homemade HDTV antenna. Attach this antenna to your HDTV (high-definition television) and check how it works.

Method 2:

• Plug one end of the coax cable in the knob provided for the antenna.
• Take a piece of foil and start rolling it from one end until it forms a long circular piece.
• Flatten the foil with your fingers, rolling pin or food can.
• Bind the wire at the end of the coax cable into the foil. Wrap the foil around the wire, tape it and attach it to your HDTV.
• Turn on your HDTV (high-definition television) and put it on digital channel mode. Keep moving the antenna till you get the clearest signal.
• Tape the tv antenna and secure the coax cable so that it does not budge from its place. Check for other channels. If the channels are not clear, place the antenna at some other point and try adjusting the antenna to get the clearest signal.

Method 3:

• Screw the coaxial cable tightly to the knob provided at the back of the HDTV (high-definition TV).
• Take a foil of 12 inches and fold it till it becomes long and thin. Flatten the foil with aluminum can or rolling pin.
• Force one end of the foil onto the thin metal wire extruding from the coaxial cable. The foil should fit closely with the coaxial cable so that the signal is boosted adequately.
• For securing the foil, use a packing tape.
• Wind the tape around the boundary of the coaxial cable so that the foil in contact with the cable is tightened. Use sufficient foil so that the cable does not pop out.
• Turn on the HDTV and try to get the clearest signal. This homemade HDTV antenna can be positioned inside your house.

With the methods mentioned above for homemade HDTV antenna, you can watch your favorite serials and movies on any channel without spending much and also without hassles.