The best resource for checking out this possibility is tvfool.com. Just enter your street address, and it will predict which HDTV stations you should be able to receive. Tvfool.com will return two charts. Look at the second chart, and pay particular attention to the column labeled “Pwr (dBm)”. The HDTV stations that you should be able to receive are listed from the strongest signal at the top to the weakest at the bottom.
Also notice that the numbers are negative in value. For example, a dBm of -57 is stronger than a dBm of -78. This being an un-scientific observation of my HDTV antenna I built, it seems that an HDTV signal stronger than -95 dBm should be able to be picked up with my HDTV antenna that I built. However, as they say, “your mileage may vary”.
I built my HDTV antenna using copper wire instead of coat hangers, and soldered all joints. Building my HDTV antenna this way insures many years of great HDTV reception. Although my total cost is more than the Coat Hanger version, (mine cost about $30) my HDTV antenna is built to be used outdoors, and will probably last much longer than the coat hanger version.
Here is the bill of materials for building a outdoor HDTV antenna:
- 30 ft. 6 ga. copper wire – You could use 10 ga. I had this on hand
- 15 ft. 14 ga copper wire
- 6 ft. 2 inch black PVC pipe.
- 1 pc 1/4 20 all-thread
- 6 1/4 20 Stainless steel locking nuts
- 6 stainless steel flat washers
- 1 piece of chain link fence top rail
- 3 pcs. 1/4” 1/8” aluminum each 2 ft. long
- Misc. 8-32 stainless steel nuts and bolts
- 20 #8 1/2” long stainless steel sheet metal screws
- 8 ft. x 2ft. piece of animal fencing with 1” square spacing
- 1 balun or matching transformer
I cut cable about two years ago and made an antenna (inside) similar to the one posts using copper wire as clothes hangers attached . on a thin piece of wood . I am able to get 39 channels. It truly worked better than the Purchased antenna.When my grandson saw how well it worked he was amazed and had that can you make me one on his face. Now that I see your model , I’m wondering if I up grade mine with wire and pipe as yours if it may be more effective.
Hello,
The more elements that the antenna has the more gain it will have. Which will allow you a greater range. So if your antenna you built has less elements than mine, then adding elements will increase the gain of the antenna and will increase its range.
Good luck!
— Mike WB8ERJ
How did you mount to your roof
Hello,
I have a 30 foot tower that I mounted it on.
would this work in an attic?
B
Yes, but not as good as if it was outside. This antenna is somewhat tall. Something close to 8 feet.
Good luck!
Where’s the wire going to the TV set?
Ah! Good question! It seems that I didn’t put in the text on page 7. If you look at the diagram showing the layout of the phasing harness, in the center is a black dot. That is where you connect the feed point, which is 300 ohms. Since most people use coax (recommended..) you will need to connect a CATV transformer. Otherwise known as a CATV balun. Then run your Coax down to the TV.
Good catch! I will update page 7 to properly answer your question.
— Mike WB8ERJ
Any chance you could provide a picture of the balun connection? Is a simple 75 to 300 Ohm transformer (like this: https://www.parts-express.com/75-to-300-Ohm-Matching-Transformer-180-010?quantity=1) what you used? Where did you source the animal fencing?
Hello,
Sorry, I don’t have a picture of the balun connection. Yes, the balun is a simple 75 to 300 ohm transformer like the one you link. They can be found pretty much anywhere. Walmart, Home Depot etc.
As far as the fencing, I picked min up at Tractor Supply. Any farm type supply stor will have it.
Does this pick up both VHF and UHF frequencies? What sort of gain do you observe with VHF and with UHF frequencies?
Since the move to HDTV, all TV channels are UHF even though the old VHF channels kept their original channel numbers.
As far as gain observed, I have no way of measuring TV antenna gain. What I can tell you is that my HDTV antenna is on top of a 30 foot tower and I get a clear picture from several stations 70 miles away.
Hope this helps! — Mike
I’m very interested in the antenna since analog tv broadcasts have ended in my country.
But ‘imperial’ sizes are as good as unknown in Europe.
Okay I know 1 inch = 1 thumb and equals 3,54 cm
1 ft = 30,48 cm
more difficult is the thickness of the copper wire, so what is ‘ga’ ?
The balun or transformer seems difficult to find here, how does it look like ?
Who helps ?
Hello, thanks for reading my blog.
First of all, 1 inch = 2.54 cm instead of 3.54 cm like you mentioned. My guess is its just a mis-typing, but I wanted to be clear.
You make a good point about Imperial sizes, especially about wire size. Below I have listed the wire diameters in mm for you.
6ga wire = 4.11 mm
14ga wire = 1.63 mm
These wire sizes aren’t critical. The main reason for using the 4.11 mm wire for the elements is so it can withstand high winds without bending.
As far as the balun, here is an amazon link with a photo and a description – the balun needs to be UHF frequency range.
https://www.amazon.com/Philmore-Outdoor-Antenna-Matching-Transformer/dp/B01B1VSCK6
Hope this helps! Good luck!
— Mike WB8ERJ
This design seems directional. I live in the middle of towers that are about the same distance apart. Linn Creek, MO 65052. Is there something you can recommend that is multi directional or can I put the same design on the backside of the reflectors?
Thanks for your time Stephen Houska.
Hello, yes, this is very directional. In order to pick up stations from different directions you will need an antenna rotor to rotate in the direction of the station you want to receive.