  Bigb23 Member Username: Bigb23 Post Number: 2923 Registered: 11-2007 |
I was about to go without TV this February, because cable is just a luxury item, and I live in a fringe area with crappy reception. I decided to search the internut for ideas, and then made this antenna. All the stuff was left over from other projects, so my cost for this was $0.00. And it works fifty times better than my indoor store bought crap antennas. I now pick up every Detroit channel/sub channel crystal clear except for CBC Canada. 45" tall, 1"x4" wood, 7" centers on (8) coat hanger antennas, gusset in back, 300 ohm Balan cable transformer in center, 16 ga. speaker wire, some stain and wax. You can copy and zoom in on the pic for details. It works so well, that I'm going to make a second one, with left over material, for the back of the house. I hope this will help someone else.  | ||
Bigb23 Member Username: Bigb23 Post Number: 2924 Registered: 11-2007 |
Slightly better pic for detail.  | ||
Eriedearie Member Username: Eriedearie Post Number: 4042 Registered: 08-2007 |
Does this go on the roof Bb? | ||
Ray1936 Member Username: Ray1936 Post Number: 3887 Registered: 01-2005 |
Nice job, Bigb23. Wishing you years of free entertainment and enjoyment! | ||
Johnlodge Member Username: Johnlodge Post Number: 9262 Registered: 10-2003 |
How is that going to receive digital transmissions, convert them into analog signals, and then pass them on to your television? It's just clothes hangers stuck to some lumber. | ||
Bigb23 Member Username: Bigb23 Post Number: 2929 Registered: 11-2007 |
Erie, it's an indoor antenna, thats why I stained it.  Johnlodge, I never said it was a satellite dish, it's just for digital converter reception. I already have the converters. Otherwise I'd be a rich man right now.  (Message edited by Bigb23 on November 22, 2008) | ||
Eriedearie Member Username: Eriedearie Post Number: 4044 Registered: 08-2007 |
OIC | ||
Kathinozarks Member Username: Kathinozarks Post Number: 1707 Registered: 11-2006 |
well bigb, my husband just looked at this and said that he will try it for our vacation rental cabin and cottage in the woods. Thanks, I'll let you know how it goes! K | ||
Reddog289 Member Username: Reddog289 Post Number: 723 Registered: 08-2007 |
I,ll talk to my Gramps about supplies, I got banned from having cable in the garage so says the "WIFE". | ||
Bigb23 Member Username: Bigb23 Post Number: 2945 Registered: 11-2007 |
Here's something that has signal reflectors using old refrigerator shelves. Recycle your junk for better reception.  | ||
Wash_man Member Username: Wash_man Post Number: 1042 Registered: 05-2006 |
Seems to be very popular online. I wish I had heard of this before I invested $100 and a Saturday installing a roof top antenna. http://www.metacafe.com/watch/ 762088/coat_hanger_hdtv_antenn a_better_than_store_bought_ama zing/ http://uhfhdtvantenna.blogspot .com/ | ||
Johnlodge Member Username: Johnlodge Post Number: 9354 Registered: 10-2003 |
quote: But at least now you don't have a 4 foot tall 2x4 with coat hangers nailed to it sitting in your living room. | ||
Hamtramike Member Username: Hamtramike Post Number: 534 Registered: 12-2003 |
JCL, please read the ENTIRE thread. It's stained. | ||
Johnlodge Member Username: Johnlodge Post Number: 9361 Registered: 10-2003 |
My bad. | ||
Cheddar_bob Member Username: Cheddar_bob Post Number: 2224 Registered: 10-2003 |
And if you would read a little closer, it's a 1X4, not a 2X4. I had the same thought, not wanting a 2X4 monstrosity in the living room, but if it's a 1X4, well that's alright in my book. | ||
Bigb23 Member Username: Bigb23 Post Number: 3147 Registered: 11-2007 |
As I have wood paneling in my Living room, It blends right in, sitting in a corner. Once in a while a slight rotation is needed, and it's always handy. Stick it behind some furniture, or in a closet, just get creative. The configuration I had was because of leftover wood and stuff from other projects. I've since built a second one for free. I'm laid off again and money is tight, and I was resigned to go without TV this winter. But now I get far more channels than I've ever had from any of half a dozen store bought antenna systems. Biggest problem - finding large WIRE coat hangers. | ||
East_detroit Member Username: East_detroit Post Number: 2325 Registered: 11-2003 |
Pretty cool. Does the gauge of the wire make a difference? | ||
Bigb23 Member Username: Bigb23 Post Number: 3150 Registered: 11-2007 |
Shouldn't, but I would surf a couple of sites and read up on it. | ||
Bigb23 Member Username: Bigb23 Post Number: 3151 Registered: 11-2007 |
Johnlodge - This is obviously not up to your standards, so don't use one. Others on here need to make their own or just want to save a few bucks. Jeez. At least its not from Wally-mart. | ||
Johnlodge Member Username: Johnlodge Post Number: 9366 Registered: 10-2003 |
Sorry Bigb, I was just giving you a hard time. I was a meanie jerk-face. | ||
Bigb23 Member Username: Bigb23 Post Number: 3152 Registered: 11-2007 |
Okay, Johnlodge - I was wondering where you were coming from. I was not going to post the instructions for the homemade, hand held, sub-atomic positron accelerator here, but check back in the future.  | ||
Townonenorth Member Username: Townonenorth Post Number: 458 Registered: 10-2007 |
Bigb, if you use the refrigerator shelves, does orientation of the shelves matter? | ||
Townonenorth Member Username: Townonenorth Post Number: 475 Registered: 10-2007 |
I did make this the other day, it works. I used uninsulated copper wire (39 cents a foot) as well as an outdoor transformer from the dollar store. This is going outdoors so I felt that a non-rusting antenna might be valuable. I probably should have gone with the speaker wire for the connections between the antenna, but I had some insulated wire laying around here. I'll see about the performance later this year. I may have to install a reflector in the back at a later date, like some others have done. I did see a plan with chicken wire in the back, but I can't see how that would help. | ||
Ndavies Member Username: Ndavies Post Number: 1621 Registered: 10-2003 |
Is there a VHF element in that home made antenna array? If not you're probably going to lose Fox 2 after the February changeover. Fox 2 digital will be moving from it's current location at channel 58 to Channel 7's VHF analog spot at the changeover. Also CBC channel 9 is not broadcasting in digital and has no current plans to do so. Being Canadian they don't have to follow the US FCC's edicts. So all those outdated analog TV's will be able to get at least 1 channel after the changeover. (Message edited by ndavies on December 17, 2008) | ||
Townonenorth Member Username: Townonenorth Post Number: 481 Registered: 10-2007 |
Yeah, I think it will pick it up. It's picking up 62 quite nicely now. | ||
Bigb23 Member Username: Bigb23 Post Number: 2832 Registered: 11-2007 |
I can't get CBC at all without cable out here, and it will be missed until I can afford cable again. I also pick up digital 62 right now and don't see a problem in Feb. With the stuff I have now hooked up, passed that digital test done yesterday with flying colors. The worst experience I've had is with those so called electronic "booster" antennas from the big box stores. I've tried four over the years, and they were all crap. Who knew my junk drawer and some scrap wood would work so well. When things pick up again in the future, I hope this will all be behind me. | ||
Jarvo Member Username: Jarvo Post Number: 54 Registered: 09-2008 |
Bigb , that is one cool looking antenna. I showed the picture to my wife and asked her what she thought it might be?? she said it looks like/reminds her of a scratching posts for cats? WTF. Hey, if it works well and saves you a few bucks, more power to ya!Go for it. | ||
Bigb23 Member Username: Bigb23 Post Number: 2833 Registered: 11-2007 |
Thanks Jarvo, just another way to stick to the "Man" There are a group of people online that are making their own Wi-Fi repeaters out of stuff found in your kitchen drawers. A good site for this stuff is Makezine. http://blog.makezine.com | ||
Gannon Member Username: Gannon Post Number: 14914 Registered: 12-2003 |
Bigb, I've been around those antennas for nearly twenty years, and I've also NEVER been able to find one that did a great job. I did find a firm that made great indoor FM antennas, haven't dealt with them in years. One of those just might get you that VHF Ndavies spoke of above...but I don't know what splitting the signal will do to the FM performance. Now THEIR products look like cat scratch posts...heh! I've got a few of the 7500s in my loft...they are seven feet tall. | ||
Townonenorth Member Username: Townonenorth Post Number: 483 Registered: 10-2007 |
BigB thanks a lot. Now I have another thing (or things) to look at. It is a good site though. I like the instructables site too. Lots of good stuff to do while waiting for the apocalypse. http://www.instructables.com/ |
