Author Topic: HDTV antenna (Read 2777 times)

Rocking-M · « **on:** February 20, 2010, 08:00:00 AM »

Just made a DB4 antenna for the TV.

When this HDTV thing first took off I went and bought one of those directional
jobs with a rotor. We lost most of our stations.

This homemade antenna out performs the fancy one I bought and it's just sitting
beside the TV right now. I'm going to add some reflectors to it and put it on
the mast outside and either use my old ham mast rotor or a smaller one I have.
I'll have to do that with the reflectors on it since that will make it a directional antenna.
I still haven't gotten the PBS stations back yet but on the mast it may.

We'll just have to see how well it stands the wind. If it does the job I'll add
another 4 bay and end up with a DB8 which is supposedly what is recommended for my area.

City Boy · « **Reply #1 on:** February 20, 2010, 08:49:05 AM »

Hi guys.I made a digital antenna from 6 coat hangers and a piece of 2x3 wood.I used the directions found on the internet.The antenna is hooked to a 52 inch projector tv and the picture quality is a big improvement on the cable reception I was receiving.I am getting 15 channels in the Detroit/Windsor area.The antenna is hanging from the ceiling of my basement.I look forward to improvements once I move the new improved antenna I plan for the roof of my home. Rock On

Rocking-M · « **Reply #2 on:** February 20, 2010, 10:20:20 AM »

Here is mine. Pretty much the same as the wooden one on the internet except
I used insulators between the wood and wire. Cut pieces out of pvc pipe for
the insulators.
The elements I used #6 copper wire and the phase lines #12 copper.
Getting 15 channels off it now and also finally got the closest pbs station back.
I will be adding a different rotor and reflectors first to this db4 and then will build the
second set of 4 bay with reflector for a total of a DB8.

Reception is excellent.

THE OLD PIECE OF CRAP, after the change to hdtv we could get no pbs and
were finally down to about 3 channels. This had a built in rotor.

City Boy · « **Reply #3 on:** February 20, 2010, 03:11:52 PM »

Lookin good there Rockin.It simply amazes me the quality of reception you can obtain with such simple devices. Rock On

333 · « **Reply #4 on:** February 20, 2010, 03:35:58 PM »

Doesn't amaze me. I've been making antennae for Ham radio use for a while now. And if I didn't have cable, I be making that one that Rockin made. Looks sweet.

Bob Wessner · « **Reply #5 on:** February 20, 2010, 03:38:17 PM »

Quote from: City Boy on February 20, 2010, 08:49:05 AM

Hi guys.I made a digital antenna from 6 coat hangers and a piece of 2x3 wood.I used the directions found on the internet.The antenna is hooked to a 52 inch projector tv and the picture quality is a big improvement on the cable reception I was receiving.I am getting 15 channels in the Detroit/Windsor area.The antenna is hanging from the ceiling of my basement.I look forward to improvements once I move the new improved antenna I plan for the roof of my home. Rock On

Often wondered what the reception would be like in our area after the digital conversion. Sounds pretty good. I might do something as a back-up to good old Comcast should it ever go out for a length of time.

Rocking-M · « **Reply #6 on:** February 20, 2010, 03:57:06 PM »

Quote from: 333 on February 20, 2010, 03:35:58 PM

Doesn't amaze me. I've been making antennae for Ham radio use for a while now. And if I didn't have cable, I be making that one that Rockin made. Looks sweet.

you know, I spent the bucks on that commercial one that never worked to my satisfaction. And I did that even after I'd built ham antennae. So, I don't catch on real quick but once I do.

I'll give an update once I add reflectors and the rotor.

Steve F · « **Reply #7 on:** February 20, 2010, 04:50:08 PM »

Any of you antenna guru's ever design one that can be used on a pop-up camper? I'm thinking about getting one of the digital boxes for the old tv in the camper so we have something that works on those rainy days.

Rocking-M · « **Reply #8 on:** February 21, 2010, 06:23:50 AM »

Steve, that antenna I built would work just fine for you. You could even place it in the attic and probably
get good reception depending on your location.

City Boy · « **Reply #9 on:** February 21, 2010, 11:26:20 AM »

I would second that motion Rockin.I am getting excellent reception with the antenna below ground even.Top of the camper should be fine, Steve.However, there is a limited range from the transmitter,the number which eludes me. Rock On

BobbyR · « **Reply #10 on:** February 21, 2010, 12:38:33 PM »

Quote from: Bob Wessner on February 20, 2010, 03:38:17 PM

Quote from: City Boy on February 20, 2010, 08:49:05 AM
Hi guys.I made a digital antenna from 6 coat hangers and a piece of 2x3 wood.I used the directions found on the internet.The antenna is hooked to a 52 inch projector tv and the picture quality is a big improvement on the cable reception I was receiving.I am getting 15 channels in the Detroit/Windsor area.The antenna is hanging from the ceiling of my basement.I look forward to improvements once I move the new improved antenna I plan for the roof of my home. Rock On

Often wondered what the reception would be like in our area after the digital conversion. Sounds pretty good. I might do something as a back-up to good old Comcast should it ever go out for a length of time.

Now you have me thinking. I should get a box somewhere. Here is a guy that has a minimalist approach.

[youtube=425,350]<object width="425" height="344"><param name="movie" value="

name="allowFullScreen" value="true"></param><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"></param><embed src="

type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="425" height="344"></embed></object>[/youtube]

Sam Green Racing · « **Reply #11 on:** February 24, 2010, 06:50:30 AM »

Quote from: Rocking-M on February 20, 2010, 10:20:20 AM

Here is mine. Pretty much the same as the wooden one on the internet except
I used insulators between the wood and wire. Cut pieces out of pvc pipe for
the insulators.
The elements I used #6 copper wire and the phase lines #12 copper.
Getting 15 channels off it now and also finally got the closest pbs station back.
I will be adding a different rotor and reflectors first to this db4 and then will build the
second set of 4 bay with reflector for a total of a DB8.

Reception is excellent.

THE OLD PIECE OF CRAP, after the change to hdtv we could get no pbs and
were finally down to about 3 channels. This had a built in rotor.

Well that's a big 10 4 Robbie or is it CQDX CQDX calling Check

The antenna you have created is called a wide band grid array and just needs a lump of chicken wire behind it for a reflector.

you hill billies

I have one just like the one you discarded in my loft space, works perfect and can never corrode or get blown down, works a treat.

I won't be a security guard for much longer Rob but, did I ever tell you what I did for a living before that ?

Sam.

Rocking-M · « **Reply #12 on:** February 24, 2010, 08:24:43 AM »

No, you didn't tell me Sam,and, I'm hum, scared to ask.

Maybe you should pm me the details, I promise I won't tell a soul.

BobbyR · « **Reply #13 on:** February 24, 2010, 08:27:08 AM »

Quote from: SamCB750A on February 24, 2010, 06:50:30 AM

Quote from: Rocking-M on February 20, 2010, 10:20:20 AM
Here is mine. Pretty much the same as the wooden one on the internet except
I used insulators between the wood and wire. Cut pieces out of pvc pipe for
the insulators.
The elements I used #6 copper wire and the phase lines #12 copper.
Getting 15 channels off it now and also finally got the closest pbs station back.
I will be adding a different rotor and reflectors first to this db4 and then will build the
second set of 4 bay with reflector for a total of a DB8.

Reception is excellent.

THE OLD PIECE OF CRAP, after the change to hdtv we could get no pbs and
were finally down to about 3 channels. This had a built in rotor.

Well that's a big 10 4 Robbie or is it CQDX CQDX calling Check

The antenna you have created is called a wide band grid array and just needs a lump of chicken wire behind it for a reflector. you hill billies

I have one just like the one you discarded in my loft space, works perfect and can never corrode or get blown down, works a treat.

I won't be a security guard for much longer Rob but, did I ever tell you what I did for a living before that ?

Sam.

Sam Green Racing · « **Reply #14 on:** February 24, 2010, 08:51:07 AM »

No, not that Bobby, I only did acting in my spare time.

Sam.

Rocking-M · « **Reply #15 on:** February 24, 2010, 09:05:56 AM »

Quote from: SamCB750A on February 24, 2010, 08:51:07 AM

No, not that Bobby, I only did acting in my spare time.

Sam.

Okay, Sam, I'm waiting, what were you in your past life.

BobbyR · « **Reply #16 on:** February 24, 2010, 10:12:13 AM »

Ya know Rob considering the White leathers and all, maybe we don;t want to know.

Rocking-M · « **Reply #17 on:** February 24, 2010, 12:21:05 PM »

Quote from: BobbyR on February 24, 2010, 10:12:13 AM

Ya know Rob considering the White leathers and all, maybe we don;t want to know.

You know, I'm just one of those naive hill billys and that never crossed my mind.
Never mind Sam!

mick750F · « **Reply #18 on:** February 24, 2010, 04:18:41 PM »

I'm thinking that Sam is one of the "fellows" in this pic.

http://www.fruitpiemusic.com/Tribute%20Bands/Platinum%20Abba/Platinum-Abba-2002.jpg

Mike...sorry Sam, I couldn't resist.

Rocking-M · « **Reply #19 on:** February 24, 2010, 04:25:47 PM »

Thanks Mick, was Sam the blond? Of course that had to be long ago.

Sam Green Racing · « **Reply #20 on:** February 25, 2010, 05:35:30 AM »

It seems like 100 years since I had any hair

Sam.

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Author Topic: HDTV antenna (Read 2777 times)