When people want to make their own homemade television antenna, the very first thing that might come to their mind is that it is a time-consuming and complex process. However, that is not entirely true. In fact, with a little knowledge and skills, it is relatively easy to make one.
If you are thinking about saving some money by building your own antenna, the guide below might be quite helpful for you. Let’s take a closer look at what steps you need to go through in order to make your very own TV antenna:
Table of Contents
1. You’ll Need to Prepare a Wooden Board
The first thing you should know is that the board needs to be around 55 cm long. You can choose either of the two dimensions which are one that is 2.54×7.62 cm or the other that is 5.08×7.62 cm. Next, you’ll need to draw several lines at specific marks including 5.08 cm, 18.42 cm, 31.75, and the 45.09 marks.
You can do so by going from the left side to the right and you can choose to do so by either a pen, pencil, or highlighter. Keep in mind that you need to mark 2 spots on each of the lines and when doing so, ensure that you evenly space them out. This is an important thing that can help you later on.
2. Cut And Bend The Wiring
The next thing in the process requires you to make 8 pieces of copper wiring. Each of them needs to be around 35.56 cm in length. Once you are done, bend all of them so that their sides are approximately 17.78 cm long. The gap among them needs to be approximately 7.62 centimeters. Once done, the coils should look like the form of the “V” letter.
3. Fasten The Conductors to The Wooden Base
Now, let’s get back to the little spots you drew. Take a piece of wire that you previously bent, and join it to the middle of it (the part that is bent) to the spotted locations. You can fasten it by utilizing bolts and washers. Once you are done with all the conductors, each of them should extend outside the board.
4. Intertwine All of THe Wires Properly
The parts that remained from the wiring can be utilized for this step. The curved segments have to be bounded once and keep in mind that they should not have any contact between each of the sets. Additionally, you’ll want to make sure that at least one of the copper wires is insulated – which you can do with vinyl. Once you finish this, they should look like two large “X” letters that join the 1st and 2nd, as well as the 3rd and 4th sets.
5. Add “Reflectors” to Your Board
Now, this does not mean that you should place real reflectors on to the wood, instead, you’ll have to use grid covers that are precisely placed on the back of the wooden surface. Each of them needs to be at least 38.1×22.86 centimeters. Again, you should utilize bolts to finish this step. Keep in mind that the screen should not come in contact with a single wire on the wooden surface.
6. Add The Balun
This is basically a transformer that you can buy in any online store or at any DIY or electronics store. It is relatively easy to add it, however, depending on the one you purchased, you should follow the user’s manual that usually comes with the packaging you choose to buy. If you want to learn more about the installation process, you can read more here.
7. Connect The Antenna With Your TV
Finally, you’ll be able to connect your antenna to your television set. This can and should be done by using a coax cable, which you can, again, purchase at any online store or DIY/electronics store. Again, depending on the one you buy, you should follow the instructions on the box to connect it.
Tips For Placing The Antenna Properly
There are some tips that you can utilize in order to place your antenna properly in your home. This will allow you to have better reception and a stronger signal, which means that you’ll be able to endlessly enjoy your favorite TV series and movies. The tips you should consider include:
1. Learn Where The Broadcasting Towers Are
The very first thing that you need to consider when trying to install your antenna is the location of the broadcasting towers in the location you live in. Now, this does not mean that you should ask your local government about it, instead, a simple Google search will do the trick.
2. Install it on or Near a Window
In order for it to function better, you’ll need to place it near a window. This will prevent any obstacles such as building, houses, trees, or hills with interfering with your signal, hence, placing it near a window might be your best solution to a stronger reception. There are a few things that you should be careful about.
For starters, the heat of the sun. You’ll definitely want to ensure that the white side faces the exterior since this will cause the antenna to absorb less sunshine and heat. Additionally, if your antenna is flat – which it is if you made it by yourself – make sure that you properly fasten it to your window.
3. The Higher The Better
As mentioned earlier, there will probably be some obstacles between your home and broadcasting towers, which is why placing it higher is always a good option. Although you’ll want it close to the window, try placing it as high as possible in your room since it will provide you with better reception.
4. There Should Be No Metal Objects Around it
Metal can easily interfere with your signal, hence, ensure that there are no metal objects around it. This means that you should not place it near household appliances, machines, decorations, or anything else that is made out of metal. For example, if you have a roof that has a metal construction, your antenna might not be able to function properly.
Conclusion
As you can see, with the right skills, knowledge, tools, and determination, it is actually quite easy to build your own television antenna. So, now that you know what you’ll need, as well as the steps that you need to go through, do not waste any more time. Instead, purchase the equipment you need, finish making your antenna, and enjoy watching TV!
