How to Build a VHF UHF TV Antenna

Make your own VHF UHF antenna.

A UHF VHF antenna is an antenna that connects outside your home or inside and is connected to your TV by a digital converter box. The UHF VHF antenna allows you to pick up and view free over-the-air TV channels. UHF VHF antennas are best mounted outside to pick up signals but can also be used indoors if mounted on the ceiling. You can build your own UHF VHF antenna.

Things You'll Need

• Coaxial cable
• Wire stripping tool
• Soldering iron

Instructions

1. Remove 21 or 22 inches of the outer insulation of the coaxial cable and the shield of the wire from one side of the inner coaxial cable. Be careful not to cut into the coaxial cable or you will have to start over. The goal is to leave the 21 to 22 inches of cable exposed. Be sure to leave an inch for soldering the three radials to it.

2. Use a soldering gun to solder a radial cable to the shield of the coaxial cable near the end it is cut at. Take care to leave enough slack for the cable to have extra length for it to be soldered to the shield. Solder the other two coaxial cables to the single radial cable.

3. Spread the cables out in three equal directions. Each cable should be distanced 120 degrees from each other.

4. Hang the antenna from your support and attach the opposite end to your scanner.

References

• Ham Universe: Build a simple VHF/UHF scanner radio antenna
• Indiana: a guide to UHF television reception

Resources

• Read this Article in Spanish