"Free" DTV antenna project

Monk · 06-19-2009, 09:37 PM

Many moons ago, I tried a little thread called "Monk's fixit shop" or something like that. The REAL old timers might recall... or not.

Never got much activity... as my bank account here testifies.

On a slightly different tack...

Most American members here know about the mandated switch from analog to digital broadcast teevee. You pretty much have to know now, since it happened last Saturday.

Getting a good VHF/UHF signal lock can be problematic, and the marketplace is flooded with so-called amplified, smart, and vainglorious antenna arrays.

Most are $pendy, and many don't live up to their hype...

Well here, my friends is a You Tube instructional on how to build a simple HiDef array (for next to nothing) that also works pretty well grabbing DTV broadcasts.

YouTube - Coat Hanger HDTV Antenna!

Also... here's a pic of the one I built (exactly per the video) to try out...
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v1...u_Tube_Ant.jpg

It works pretty well, but it's not the end-all, be-all, I'm sure!

Tough to beat for $5 (cost of the matching x'former @ RatShack).

For those antenna challenged, but mechanically inclined...

Good luck!

**Sp00k** · 06-20-2009, 06:11 AM

I'm cancelling cable right now.

Monk · 06-20-2009, 06:17 AM

To quote my bud treebeard... "Don't be hasty!"

This can't do much to overcome issues like living in fringe areas.
It is a cool solution for some folks living near urban areas, where signals are plentiful, but don't expect much 100 miles out into the moors.

I just thought it could help out a few peeps - probably posted in totally the wrong forum area, anyhoo.
That doesn't lend confidence to a project.

*G_Man* · 06-20-2009, 10:08 AM

Totally in the right spot Monk my friend.

And I am going to look into this. Haven't even looked at the video yet, as I know I will want some time first. We live pretty much in the city and don't even have regular tv at all. So I will be looking into this.

Cheers Mate!

Monk · 06-20-2009, 06:28 PM

Ewe it'll do some good for! In an urban setting, with close x'mitters (usually the case) sometimes reflections and bounces can cause havoc (ghosts, dropouts due to traffic, etc.)
This IS a pretty good UHF antenna. Not great at strengthening signals, but effective at rejecting echoes, and it's fairly omnidirectional, too.

Took me less than a half hour to assemble.

I think it's safe to say it works as well, if not better'n, 3/4 of the "digitally enhanced rabbit-ears" out there; and costs a helluva lot less!

Good luck!

'N back atcha!