How to Build a Simple Antenna

Sometimes your dish gets broken or your cable goes out, and you can't go without a connection to the world of television. What do you do? Good news: The major networks still broadcast to many portions of the country. All you have to do is build an antenna to receive it.

Instructions

Difficulty: Easy

Things You’ll Need:

• Insulated wire
• Wire stripper
• Phillips screwdriver
• Tape

1. Look around the back of your television for two screws close together and the word "ant" nearby. It might fully spell out "antenna," but the abbreviation is more common.
2. Find a length of wire with a good gauge. The thicker the better. Make sure that the length of wire can reach from the back of your television to the nearest window.
3. Strip both ends enough to allow one end to wrap behind the screws. Affix the other end to the window frame, taping or nailing down the insulated part and leaving the stripped end free.
4. Secure the rest of the wire with tape, nails or another fixative to keep it from being an obstacle in the room.
5. Wrap the wire around a coat hanger or other piece of metal and place it on or near the television set, instead of using the window, as an alternative. This allows you to adjust the antenna more easily, but also makes it more necessary.

Tips & Warnings

• As HDTV becomes more prevalent, you may need a tuner. You can purchase one of these at any electronics store, or buy one online at RadioShack.

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