How I made an HDTV antenna so I could watch Jeopardy last night

1. What exactly is the purpose of the cardboard tube? I'm guessing the key point is that it's non-conductive, but would the same coil work without the cardboard? (not very knowledgable about antennae I admit)

2. How the hell does that connector even work? It looks so marvelously out of place ... does this mean the wire mesh around the normal coaxial cables is just shielding and doesn't actually do anything? If so, how come you don't need shielding?

Those were the two main questions that popped to mind, obviously I don't know anything about this stuff and I could probably look it up somewhere. But maybe someone here can provide a human-to-human good enough explanation.

Re: How I made an HDTV antenna so I could watch Jeopardy last night

#5

Post by ck2 » Tue, Feb 15, 2011, 8:07 PM UTC

If you are smack in a city where the signals are literally washing over you I guess just a wire will work.

The coathanger antenna works best for me though, I'm too far away from most stations for just a wire.

Your design might work best for VHF stations while the coathanger method is best for UHF

Canada still has analog stations?

Re: How I made an HDTV antenna so I could watch Jeopardy last night

#6

Post by minalecs » Tue, Feb 15, 2011, 8:09 PM UTC

Heres plans for an antenna I built. http://www.tvantennaplans.com/

I like the simplicity and potential of your design though. I want to try an array of tubes and wiring, and see how well that works.

Re: How I made an HDTV antenna so I could watch Jeopardy last night

#7

Post by chaosmachine » Tue, Feb 15, 2011, 8:12 PM UTC

daniel_levine wrote: post #2

can we see how it was put in the window?

Sure: http://i.imgur.com/jOiWI.jpg

Re: How I made an HDTV antenna so I could watch Jeopardy last night

#8

Post by timmaah » Tue, Feb 15, 2011, 8:16 PM UTC

minalecs wrote: post #6

Heres plans for an antenna I built. http://www.tvantennaplans.com/ I like the simplicity and potential of your design though. I want to try an array of tubes and wiring, and see how well that works.

I got the same plans via Make and have been using mine for 2+ years. It works awesome. Before dtv I could get 1-2 stations of mostly fuzz. Now I get 7 channels in full HD.

http://www.82smugglers.com/gallery/projects/p1020110.jpg.htm...

Tried some shielding on the back and it did not make any difference.

Re: How I made an HDTV antenna so I could watch Jeopardy last night

#9

Post by minalecs » Tue, Feb 15, 2011, 8:19 PM UTC

timmaah wrote: post #8

minalecs wrote: post #6

Heres plans for an antenna I built. http://www.tvantennaplans.com/ I like the simplicity and potential of your design though. I want to try an array of tubes and wiring, and see how well that works.

I got the same plans via Make and have been using mine for 2+ years. It works awesome. Before dtv I could get 1-2 stations of mostly fuzz. Now I get 7 channels in full HD. http://www.82smugglers.com/gallery/projects/p1020110.jpg.htm... Tried some shielding on the back and it did not make any difference.

same here... I receive over 30+ channels now, most are HD (LA) area. With this and a computer hooked up to my TV would never consider going back to cable.

Re: How I made an HDTV antenna so I could watch Jeopardy last night

#10

Post by Pyrodogg » Tue, Feb 15, 2011, 8:20 PM UTC

Swizec wrote: post #4

Thanks, I'm glad you took our comments to heart :) Two questions: 1. What exactly is the purpose of the cardboard tube? I'm guessing the key point is that it's non-conductive, but would the same coil work without the cardboard? (not very knowledgable about antennae I admit) 2. How the hell does that connector even work? It looks so marvelously out of place ... does this mean the wire mesh around the normal coaxial ca…

1. Structure. The wire he's using isn't strong enough to just stay up standing by itself. It would fold over on itself. Also, it probably does need to be non conductive or you need to use coated wire.

2. It's not shielded because the entire thing is the antenna. I guess he could shield it between the TV and the actual wrapped tube part but this is sow low-tech it wouldn't make a difference. Your standard roof mounted antenna is shielded between the antenna and the tv because you don't want interference between the two points.