How To Set Up Hdtv Antenna

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Using a HDTV (High-Definition Television) antenna, based on the DB4 design, is 1 of the most effective ways to retrieve HDTV signals. Purchasing this type of antenna at a shop will cost you at least $40. However, you lot can build such an antenna yourself at a much lower cost. The post-obit is a guide on how to make a HDTV antenna.

Steps

1. ane

   Prepare a wooden board.

   • It should exist 1x3 inches (2.54x7.62 cm) or 2x3 inches (5.08x7.62 cm).
   • It should be 22 inches (55.88 cm) long.
   • Going from left to right with the lath laying horizontally, mark lines at the 2 inch (5.08 cm) mark, the 7.25 inch (18.42 cm) mark, the 12.five inch (31.75 cm) marking, and the 17.75 inch (45.09 cm) mark. Use a marker or a pencil.
   • Marking ii dots on each line that are evenly spaced.

2. 2

   Cut 8 sections of copper wire.

   • Each department should exist 14 inches (35.56 cm) long.

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3. 3

   Bend each section of wire.

   • Each should exist aptitude so that each side is 7 inches (17.78 cm) long.
   • The gap betwixt each side should be 3 inches (7.62 cm) long.
   • Each wire should resemble a "5" when you are finished.

4. 4

   Attach the five-shaped wires to the board.

   • Attach the middle (aptitude portion) of each wire to the dotted areas of the board using screws and washers.
   • When finished, each 5-shaped wire should extend outward from the board.

5. 5

   Weave two wires on the lath.

   • Use the remaining portion of the wire for this.
   • The bent portion of the v-shaped wires should be intersected once each.
   • The wires should not touch each other.
   • Be certain that at least i of the wires that you weave is insulated. Vinyl insulation volition work well.
   • When finished, the wires should resemble 2 "10" shapes that connect the kickoff and second and the 3rd and fourth sets of v-shaped wires, respectively. Two horizontal lines should connect the "X" designs between the second and third sets of five-shaped wires.

6. vi

   Attach reflectors (grill screens) to the lath.

   • Two reflectors should be evenly spaced on the dorsum of the board.
   • Each reflector should be 15x9 inches (38.1x22.86 cm).
   • Use screws to consummate this task.
   • The reflectors should not touch the v-shaped wires.

7. 7

   Attach a balun to the 2 center sections of wire.

   • This is a transformer that tin can exist purchased on the Internet or at an electronics retailer.
   • Follow the instructions that come with the balun.

8. eight

   Adhere the antenna to a Hard disk drive tv set.

   • Use a coax cable, which can exist purchased on the Internet or at an electronics retailer.
   • Follow the instructions that come up with the coax cable.

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Add together New Question

• Question

  What are grill screens?

  

  Aluminum window screen material, hardware cloth, or any blazon of metal screening that is no more than than 1/2" squares. Cut to the proper size, most metal volition become a suitable reflector, as long as any holes are nether that dimension. This is frequency related and will vary by the point you're trying to capture.

• Question

  Can copper insulated wire be used?

  

  Yes. The velocity factor may be different, but probably close enough to bare wire.

• Question

  What gauge wire should be used? Distance from edge for holes? Likewise, the dimensions shown in the outset step don't make whatever sense, they add up to 58.75 inches. At best, the drawing is poorly done.

  

  Robinson Valderrama

  Community Respond

  The drawing and measurements are poorly made, the distance between each point is 5.25 inches, this gives a total of xv.75 inches.

• Question

  Can aluminum foil be used instead of grill screens?

  

  Robinson Valderrama

  Community Respond

  yes, but information technology should be thick enough to maintain the shape. You can make it from a soda can.

• Question

  If multiple, interconnected antennas are facing each other, volition it increase the strength of the reception?

  

  No, you will actually brand your reception worse. 2 antennas will cancel out each other to a point, unless yous accept abroad of "tuning" the two antennas.

• Question

  Does reception depend on compass orientation when making a HDTV antenna?

  

  Yep, your antenna should face up the HDTV broadcast antenna. Try adjusting the position until you go all-time results.

• Question

  Would this TV antenna piece of work to selection up a signal in an FM stereo?

  

  No, FM stations are far beneath the frequencies this antenna is designed for.

• Question

  Can I use atomic number 26 wire instead of copper when making an HDTV antenna?

  

  Aye, encounter to a higher place. I would be concerned most corrosion or rusting if placed outdoors, though.

• Question

  Can a indistinguishable setup be done on the behind when making an HDTV antenna?

  

  Yes, equally long as reflectors are used on both antennas. However, each will choice upwardly stations from the reverse directions, and the two cables coming from the balun transformers will need to exist joined one time they leave the antenna using a diplexer (not a 2 into 1 splitter). Expect for these on Amazon.

• Question

  How far from a broadcast belfry volition this antenna work?

  

  The distance depends on your elevation compared to the TV station'southward, the corporeality of power the stations has, and the station's transmitting location. Information technology is also dependent on objects blocking the signal.

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• Wire coat hangers may be substituted for copper wires. Exist certain to mimic the mentioned setup of the wiring and strip any pigment or varnish off of the coat hangers where they bear on the wire.

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Things You lot'll Demand

• Wooden board that is 22 inches (55.88 cm) long with a specification of 1x3 inches (2.54x7.62 cm) or 2x3 inches (five.08x7.62 cm)
• Marker or pencil
• Screws
• Washers
• Xv feet (4.57 thousand) of copper wire or wire coat hangers
• Ii 15x9 inch (38.1x22.86 cm) grill screens
• Balun
• Coax cable
• Wire cutter
• Screwdriver

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