Do it yourself HDTV Antenna

[bork]

Yes, I'm one of those cheap people who doesn't have cable or satellite, just rabbit ears. I recently got one of the new Digital TV Converter Boxes for $10 using the government coupon (www.dtv2009.gov) So now I'm getting more channels than ever.

 

While doing some searching online, I saw this clip on YouTube about making your own antenna for picking up Digital TV channels using coat hangers.

 

Well, I tried it last night using a 1x4 and some 12 gauge copper wire and it works great! It works better than my RCA powered antenna. Before, I was getting 30-50% signal strength for most channels. With my new antenna, I was able to get 70-90% signal strength. The only drawback is the Channel 10 is weaker (Because it is the only true VHS channel, the rest are UHF).

 

And as an added bonus, I was able to watch the Brewers game on WMLW last night with a crystal clear picture. I've never been able to watch anything on WMLW in the past.

 

 

(fixed broken code --1992)

[Samurai Bucky]

Thanks for the link. I think I may have to give this a shot.

[bork]

By the way, it's based on this antenna that will cost you $69, if you buy it.

 

http://www.antennasdirect.com/images/DB4-large.jpg

http://www.antennasdirect.com/DB4_HDTV_antenna.html

[TracyThom]

I'll post this here since this is the most appropriate thread. I've had a TV with a digital tuner since Christmas, but it wasn't until a month ago that I started to explore the channel lineup using the digital tuner. I have Charter cable, so I never saw a need to.

 

However, I noticed that going through the digital channels, I receive some channels that I don't have on my regular channel lineup. For instance, I live in Deerfield, but I can receive the Waunakee Public Access channel with the digital tuner.

 

The best thing I was able to get with the digital tuner were the On Demand channels. Whenever anyone would tune into an On Demand program (HBO on Demand, WWE 24-7, Comedy Central on Demand, PPV movies, Nick Jr on Demand, etc) the show would appear on Digital channels D91 (1-9) and D92 (1-9). I would be watching the show as the person was ordered it was watching it. For instance, if someone was watching a Cinemax movie on demand, I would see it as the person fast forwarded through the dialog to get to the *ahem* interesting parts of the movie. I would be able to watch newly released On Demand PPV movies without having to pay for them. However, about 2 weeks ago, I stopped being able to receive these shows. Now there is nothing on D91 and D92. Has anyone heard of anything like this?

[Invader3K]

TracyThom, had the same thing happen on my new Samsung HDTV with Charter, which was just hooked up to regular cable. Nice thing is that I can get the HD feeds for ABC, NBC, and CBS. No FOX, though, for whatever reason. There's some other weird things, like a couple extra home shopping channels and a FOX Business channel and stuff.

[Gobias Industries]

I think Charter is screwing something up with their regular cable package. My parents live in Oshkosh and have the same regular cable you mention Invader3K. We get all the local HD channels outside of FOX. It seems like at night, especially on the weekends, we get On Demand Movies, HBO, and Cinemax all in HD.

 

It's nice to be the one actually taking advantage of that crappy company for a change, rather than the other way around

[Samurai Bucky]

I have a buddy in Neenah who subscribes to DirectTV. I guess he doesn't get the Green Bay FOX affiliate in HD because they still don't broadcast in HD.

 

BTW: I think I'm going to try the antenna tonight. I just need to pick up the part where I plug in the cable...

[pogokat]

slightly off topic, but has anyone eve tried to con directv into giving you network stations when you live in an area that already gets them over the air?

[Fatter than Joey]

slightly off topic, but has anyone eve tried to con directv into giving you network stations when you live in an area that already gets them over the air?

 

I think they pretty much offer all of the locals now. I definitely tried though way back when -- they hooked me up with the NY and LA feeds instead - which was cool

[TracyThom]

slightly off topic, but has anyone eve tried to con directv into giving you network stations when you live in an area that already gets them over the air?

 

I was able to get Milwaukee locals while living in Madison, but this was before Madison got local channels. I called up DirecTV and told them I needed to change my service address, but keep my billing address the same. I used my dad's address in Jefferson and I was able to get Milwaukee local channels. Pretty dishonest, and I wouldn't do it again.

[rainman]

I tried the homemade antenna as well and it works great. Get all the channels except NBC in high def in the La Crosse area. Thanks to bork for bringing this up.

[Samurai Bucky]

Here is the results of my antenna:

 

Dang... it looks ugly...

 

Seriously, it pulls in all channels in the Milwaukee station except it still has problems with 58. Channel 4 used to come in at a strength of 80 with the rabbit ears. Now, it comes in at 93 - 97. I couldn't get Channel 24, now it is at 91. 58 seems to come in only if we sit in the right part of the room. Perhaps if I would move the antenna to a different part of the room, it would come in better. I'm happy with it as it is. Actually, I'm very happy.

[bork]

I've found that direction does make a difference with this antenna. I pointed mine roughly toward downtown Milwaukee, then turned it slightly, while watching the signal strength until I got the best signal. Height also made a difference. I mounted it in the rafters of my garage and now I get 80-90% on all channels, even ones like 58, 55, and 30. No pixelation like I had with the rabbit ears. I'm amazed by the clarity now. No more messing with rabbit ears to get the least fuzzy picture like I've done for years.