How to Make a UHF Antenna for HDTV
Building your own antenna can be rewarding and cost-effective. The two key parts to an HDTV (high-definition television) antenna are the elements and reflector. The elements, which look like bowties, are trimmed to a certain measurement to receive the broadcast signals. The reflector will catch and direct the signals to the elements to help improve the reception quality of the antenna.
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Things You'll Need
- 12 to 15 feet of insulated copper wire (12 gauge)
- Measuring tape
- Wire cutters/strippers
- Pliers
- Utility knife
- two-by-four wood (cut to 40 inches)
- Wood saw
- Pencil
- Metal grate (20 inches x 36 inches)
- Wood screws (2 inches long)
- Washers
- 75-ohm balun
Instructions
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1
Measure and cut eight pieces of the copper wire to 14 inches long.
Cut away 1 inch of the insulation, directly in the center of each wire, using the utility knife.
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2
Bend each of the wires, directly in the center, using the pliers.
Bend them in the shape of a V, so that each leg of the V is 7 inches long. Bend each V until there is a 3-inch spread between each end of the leg (or the top of the V).
Each of these V-shaped wire elements will become the bowties to receive the broadcast signals.
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3
Measure and cut the board to 40 inches in length.
Lay the board flat and label one end as the top front. Turn the board over to the other flat side and label the same end as top back.
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4
Turn the board over to the top front side.
Using the measuring tape and pencil, measure down from the top of the board 4 inches. make a mark about 1 inch from the right edge of the board.
From this mark, measure down an additional 4 inches and make a second mark, 1 inch from the right edge.Repeat this step until you have four marks down the right edge, each of them 4 inches apart and about 1 inch from the right edge of the board.
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5
Repeat Step 4 to make four additional marks the left edge of the board, 4 inches apart and 1 inch from the left edge of the board.
When Steps 4 and 5 are complete you will have eight total marks. These marks will indicate where you will mount the bowtie elements for the antenna.
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6
Affix the V-shaped bowtie elements on the board, one to each mark. Use the screwdriver and screws and washers and attach the bowties underneath the washer to secure it to the board.
Mount the bowties so that the legs (ends) of the V point away from the board.
Do not fully tighten each of the screws at this point in the assembly.
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7
Take a length of copper wire (about 20 inches) and strip 1 inch of insulation of the end. Attach this end underneath the screw in the top right corner.
Cross the wire over and attach it underneath the two middle screws on the left side of the board.
Cross the wire back over and attach it underneath the screw on the bottom right corner.
Where the wire is attached underneath each screw, use the utility knife to remove 1 inch of insulation to allow the wire to make contact with the screws and washers.
Cut away any excess wire.
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8
Repeat Step 7 to mount a similar wire to the remaining screws starting at the top left corner and finishing in the bottom left corner.
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9
Affix the 75-ohm balun to the second set of screws from the top of the board. Connect one wire from the balun under the screw on the left and the other wire under the screw on the right.
Use the screwdriver to tighten these two screws and all the other screws on the antenna to a snug fit.
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10
Turn the antenna over and lay if flat on the table so the back of the board is facing up.
Lay the metal grate down on the board and center it on the board. Lay the grate so that the length of the grate (36 inches) runs parallel with the length of the board (40 inches).
Affix the grate to the board, using the screwdriver and screws and washers. Tighten down the washers over the grate so that it clamps the grate against the board and holds it in place.
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11
Connect the cable from the HDTV to the 75-ohm balun and place the antenna for viewing.
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Tips & Warnings
Never mount this or any antenna around power lines, as contact with them could result in serious injury or electrocution.
Check each bowtie to ensure the spread between each leg of the V remains at 3 inches, as this will ensure the antenna is properly phased and operates at its best.
