How to Build a Digital Outdoor Antenna

 

Why use multiple antennas when one will do?

Since 2009, when digital TV became the standard for television signals, there has been a lot of confusion. The signal is digital now instead of analog. The frequencies used to send the signals are still the same. Analog signals used VHF (very high frequencies) and UHF (ultra high frequencies). Digital uses VHF/UHF as well. The only difference is most stations are now using UHF. UHF antennas can also pick up VHF signals. A simple UHF design antenna will allow you to receive stations in your area. All you need are a few tools and a little time to save money.

Things You'll Need

• 14-inch long non-coated brazing rods (8)
• Metal coat hangers (2)
• 15-by-9-inch cooling racks (2)
• Oil-based outdoor wood sealer
• 2-by-3-by-40-inch piece of wood
• Antenna rotor or heavy base
• No. 10 wood screws 1-inch long (10)
• No. 10 flat washers (10)
• 75-ohm VHF/UHF transformer balun
• Pencil
• Tape measure
• Screwdriver
• Pliers with wire cutter
• Sandpaper
• Squeeze tube of outdoor weather caulking
• Paint brush

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Instructions

1. • 1
     Paint all surfaces of the wood with your oil-based wood sealer. Make sure you get a good coat on all surfaces to protect them from the weather. Let everything dry fully overnight.
   • 2
     Cut off the twisted section of the coat hangers using the wire cutting section of your pliers. Straighten the remaining piece of each hanger. Using your pliers, bend one end of each of the two straight wires to form a small "U." It should be just big enough to fit around the screw. Sand off the coating on the "U" section of the wires to ensure a good connection with the screw.
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   • 3
     Cut eight brazing rods down to 14 inches with your wire cutters. Bend each piece in half forming a "V" shape with a three-inch gap at the open end. Each leg of the "V" should measure 7 inches.
   • 4
     Place the wood on a flat surface with the 3-inch wide side facing up. Run your tape measure down the length of wood 1 1/2 inches from the edge. Place a mark at 2 inches from the top of the board. Make three more marks 6 inches apart along the tape measure. Do the same down the opposite edge of the wood. These marks are where you will attach the "V's" to form bow ties.
   • 5
     Insert a screw into a washer and screw it halfway into the wood at one of the marks you made. Repeat the process for the remaining seven marks.
   • 6
     Slide the bent "U" shape end of one of the wires under the washer of the top left-hand screw. Have the straight wire running down the length of wood touching the screws on the left side. Slide one "V"-shaped brazing rod under the washer. Tighten the screw with the open end of the "V"-shaped rod pointing straight out from the wood on the left side. Do the same for the top right-hand screw.
   • 7
     Cross the two straight wires over to the opposite side of the wood. Slide the wires under the washers of the second and third set of screws from the top. Slide a "V"-shaped rod under each washer. Tighten the screws keeping the open end of the "V"-shaped rod facing straight out from the wood.
   • 8
     Cross the two straight wires over to the opposite remaining screw. Slide a "V"-shaped rod under the washer and tighten the screw. You will have four bow tie shapes in a row. Cut off the excess piece of wire with your wire cutters.
   • 9
     Lift up the top wire where it crosses the other wire with your fingers. Put a small amount of caulking on the bottom wire where it will touch the upper wire. Slide a pencil between the two wires to let it dry for a bit. Do the same for the second wire crossing. If the wires make contact with each other, the antenna will not work.
   • 10
     Sand a 1-inch section of the straight wire's midpoint between screw two and three. Screw a washer loosely into position over the sanded section of wire. Attach one wire of the 75-ohm VHF/UHF transformer balun (cable adapter) to the screw under the washer and tighten the screw. Do the same for the other side.
   • 11
     Turn the antenna over and screw the two 15-by-9-inch cooling racks to the wood. One rack will line up with the top two bow ties and the other with the bottom two bow ties. This is a reflector to send some missed signals back to the bow ties for a stronger signal. Attach the antenna to your antenna rotor.
   • 12
     Remove pencils from the crossing wires. Squeeze some caulking from the tube over the screw connections to protect them from the outside weather. Connect the cable from your TV to your antenna to complete the job.

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Tips & Warnings

• Make sure all coating is removed from connections to increase signal conductivity.
• Do not overtighten the screws. That will reduce the holding power of the wood.
• Keep the antenna away from power sources.