How to Build a TV Antenna Booster

Use a concave Ferrite magnet and a coat hanger to build a television antenna booster.

Build a do-it-yourself TV amplifier using a coat hanger and a concave Ferrite magnet. Television sets using antennas to receive picture signals often suffer from dark or snowy pictures. These picture problems are caused by random sound waves that interfere with signal transmission and result in electronic noise. A Ferrite magnet amplifier filters out this noise, clearing the way for the antenna to transmit the full strength of the television signal to the TV set.

Things You'll Need

• Concave ferrite magnet <br /><br />Wire clothes hanger<br /><br />Pliers<br /><br />Wire insulating sleeve <br /><br />Electrical tape <br /><br />Detachable/portable television antenna

Instructions

1. 

   Use a wire coat hanger, as this wire is a perfect electrical conductor.

   Straighten the wire coat hanger with pliers so that the two main bends and the neck of the hanger are as straight as possible.

2. Wind the wire of the straightened coat hanger around the Ferrite magnet four or five times, leaving a straight piece of wire at least 6 inches long at both ends of the coil.

3. 

   Black electrical tape helps maintain electrical connections and insulates against electrical shock.

   Wrap the Ferrite magnet coat hanger coil with black electrical tape so that it is completely covered with the tape. Leave the straight pieces of wire at each end of the coil unwrapped.

4. Place insulation sleeves over the straight wire pieces, leaving an inch exposed at the end of each wire piece to act as connectors. Wrap the insulation sleeves with electrical tape to secure.

5. 

   Unplug the television before connecting it to the amplifier to avoid any possibility of electrical shock.

   Make sure the television is turned off and unplug it from the electrical outlet, then insert the end of one exposed wire from the amplifier coil into the cable connector on the television and tape it with electrical tape to secure.

6. Attach the other exposed end wire of the amplifier coil to a detachable or portable television antenna and place the amplifier and antenna near the television set.

7. 

   Turn on the television and experience a clearer picture with the Ferrite magnet TV antenna booster.

   Plug the television back into its electrical outlet and turn it on.

References

• Sensors Magazine: Neodymium-Iron-Boron Magnets
• Soft Ferrites: A User's Guide
• Absolute Astronomy: Ferrite Magnets