How to Make a Cheap & Easy Outdoor TV Antenna
The advantage of a digital antenna over the analog system that preceded it is that the picture is either visible or not--there is no ghosting or partial reception. A cheap but efficient outdoor digital TV antenna can be made from a few household items combined with some supplies from a grocery store and cable from an electronics store. Some common household tools also will be needed. Does this Spark an idea?
Other People Are Reading
Instructions
-
-
1
Measure 1 inch up from the bottom of a cork. Drill a hole through the side of the cork at the 1-inch mark with the portable drill. Rotate the cork one-quarter turn. Measure 1 inch down from the top of the cork. Drill a hole through the side of the cork at the 1-inch mark with the portable drill.
-
2
Unwind the top of the metal clothes hanger with the pliers. Straighten it out. Cut two 6-inch-long pieces from the hanger using the wire cutters. Measure 3 inches from one end of a cut piece. Bend it at a 45-degree angle at the 3-inch mark using the pliers. Repeat with the other piece.
-
-
3
Insert the unbent end of one of the metal pieces into the top hole of the cork. Rotate the rod so that the bent end is facing up. Insert the unbent end of the other rod into the bottom hold of the cork. Rotate the rod so that the bent end is facing down. Place the cork in the open mouth of the soda bottle. Wrap strips of duct tape around the mouth of the soda bottle to secure it to the cork.
-
4
Cut off one end of the coaxial cable with the wire cutters. Strip off three inches of the outer insulation from the cut end using the wire strippers. Place the end of the inner wire of the cut coaxial cable against the unbent end of the rod at the top of the cork. Solder the two together. Let the solder cool for a minute.
-
5
Place the inner insulation that covers the inner wire against the unbent ed of the rod at the bottom of the cork. Solder the two together. Let the solder cool for a minute.
-
6
Place the soda bottle on a windowsill or a lawn chair. Aim the soda bottle in the general direction of the TV broadcast towers in your area that are sending the free digital TV signal that can be watched. Trail the coaxial cable into the house. Screw the end of the coaxial cable onto the coaxial connection on the back of the TV.
-
1
Tips & Warnings
Don't place your outdoor antenna high enough to pose a danger from a lightning strike.
References
Resources
- Photo Credit antenna 2 image by Madrider from Fotolia.com
