How to Build an HDTV Antenna
- 1
Preparing the coat hangers
Take the coat hangers, cut off the "head" of each, and cut them in two so that you have eight V-shaped pieces. Sand each piece with sandpaper at the apex of the V to remove any paint or other coating from the metal. - 2
Mounting the screws and washers
Cut a 48-inch long piece of 2- by 4-inch board with a saw. Start 6 inches from one end, on the narrow side of the board, and screw in two wood screws and washers next to each other every 6 inches, until you have put screwed in four pairs. Add a final pair of washers and screws halfway between the second and third pairs, for a total of five pairs of washers and screws. - 3
Adding the V-shaped wire elements
Slide the V-shaped wire elements underneath the washers and tighten the screws to hold them in place. The open end of the V's will be facing away from the board. Leave the middle set of screws and washers open. When you're finished you'll have four pairs of V-shaped wire elements mounted on the board. - 4
Wiring schematic
Cut four 9-inch long pieces of heavy wire, 12- or14-gauge is appropriate. Scrap electrical wire works well for this. Connect two pieces to each of the washers and screws in the center -- the ones you haven't used yet. Then run each individual wire along the length of the board, attaching it to the screws holding the V-shaped wire elements you've already mounted. Cross the wires before attaching to the last element of the antenna, and make sure that the wires are insulated -- A piece of tape will work fine for this -- where they cross. See the diagram for the wiring. - 5). Attach the terminals of a 300-ohm transformer to the center set of washers and screws. Loosen the screws and slide the terminals underneath, then tighten the screws.
- 6). Cut a 30- by 24-inch piece of heavy cardboard with scissors. Cover one side with aluminum foil held on with tape.
- 7
The anntenna with the foil panel added
Take a staple gun and attach the aluminum foil-covered cardboard to the side of the 2 by 4, opposite the V-shaped elements, with the foil side of the cardboard facing the elements. This piece of cardboard acts as a reflector for the antenna. - 8). To use the antenna, plug your antenna line into the transformer, set the antenna up vertically so that the wire elements are one above the other and point it in the direction of the transmitter of the television station that you want to receive.
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