Digital encoding of the television signal allows it to be delivered to the receiver while minimizing any losses. To support the technology, the TV needs an antenna for DVB-T2. Making such a device with your own hands is much cheaper than buying a ready-made one, paying about 3 thousand rubles for it. Terrestrial digital television displaces all similar types of signal transmission, while offering high-quality broadcasting and a variety of channels.
Changes on air
Making an antenna for an old-style tube TV was considered prestigious at one time and showed the level of skill; in the modern world, interest in homemade devices does not fade, and many make DVB-T2 over-the-air antennas with their own hands. Manufacturers of industrial equipment adapt to changing reception conditions by connecting modern electronics to standard well-known designs, completely ignoring the fact that the main condition for the operation of the antenna is its interaction with the terrestrial signal.
In recent years, almost all broadcasting takes place in the DVB-T2 range, which reduces the cost and simplifies, from an economic point of view, the antenna-feeder system of transmission stations. Periodic maintenance requires less highly qualified personnel, and their work becomes less harmful and dangerous.
Television broadcast transmitters cover all large cities and sparsely populated villages with signals, so catching waves from unattended low-power stations in remote areas becomes important if you install an antenna for DVB-T2 reception, made with your own hands from scrap materials.
Due to the expanded construction of reinforced concrete buildings within the city, the conditions for signal propagation in populated areas have changed significantly. Multi-storey buildings with a metal frame are like mirrors, reflecting waves several times until they are completely attenuated.
There are many TV channels broadcast on the air today. A digital signal differs from others in that it either exists or it doesn’t; there is no middle position. Other transmission systems differ in that the channels perceive interference differently, which reduces their broadcast quality, and sometimes the image may simply disappear. A self-made antenna for DVB-T2 will allow you to receive the same signal for all channels that show the same high-quality picture.
The digital broadcasting signal is special in that it is not affected by interference; if it is one and a half decibels higher than the noise, then good reception is achieved. Signal dropout is affected by cable mismatch or phase distortion at any point in the transmission from the camera to the tuner, and the image can be scattered into small pieces even with a strong signal.
Basic features for making an antenna
Before making DVB-T2 with your own hands, you should study the principle of its operation.
To capture a digital signal, it is required that it can be very simply constructed, even from a simple cable, after making the correct calculation.
The theory says that digital signals are easily transmitted in the UHF range and can be received by any type of antenna, but in reality this does not always work out.
You can make a television antenna yourself at minimal cost and without the help of others, but you should remember that the resulting device is inferior in reception quality to professional devices.
Requirements for antennas
New conditions for broadcasting, distribution and on-air reception have changed the basic requirements that DIY TV antennas must meet. DVB-T2 has abolished the previously significant directional and protective coefficients. In modern devices they do not matter, since the air is polluted, and even small penetrating interference can only be dealt with using electronic means. At the same time, the antenna's own gain (GA) plays an important role.
An antenna that tracks the air well has a power reserve for the received signal, which allows the electronics to sift it from interference and noise. A modern antenna for DVB-T2, made with your own hands, preserves electrical parameters in a natural way, and does not adapt to acceptable parameters using engineering techniques. It is consistent over the entire operating frequency range without the use of balancing devices.
Antenna amplitude and frequency characteristics
The antenna is made as smooth as possible; phase distortions arise due to sharp emissions and dips. Single-frequency antennas are stretched to an acceptable noise-to-signal ratio, thus allowing them to receive up to 40 channels. But matching amplifiers are additionally installed to them, which absorb waves or distort phase indicators.
The most effective digital DVB-T2 antenna is made by yourself:
- frequency-independent - with low performance, but cheap and easy to manufacture, designed in a short period of time, designed for reception in relatively clean air at a short distance from the transmitted station;
- periodic band, catching all waves in space, ideally sorting them, which has a simple design, ideally works in tandem with a freeder throughout the entire reception range.
If we talk about design, the simplest DVB-T2 antenna is made by hand in the “eight”, “Polish” and “square” versions.
Figure-of-eight antenna
Refers to easily constructed devices, made like a standard figure eight, from which the reflector is removed. The ideal material is an aluminum strip, corner, tube, tire, or other profile. The top dimension is 140 mm, the side length is 130 mm, but these dimensions are given as a guide; during manufacturing they should not be kept exactly to the millimeter.
To begin with, cut a wire 112 cm long, begin to bend the first part 140 mm long, of which 130 mm goes to the antenna, and 10 mm remains for the loop. The next two sections are bent equally to a length of 140 mm, the next two - 130 mm, the next pair - 140 mm, then another 140 mm, then - 130 mm and make a second loop. The connections are pre-cleaned, connected and soldered; they are also contacts for fastening the cable core.
Stripping the cable and plug is done using a scalpel and a file. After soldering, the joints are sealed and secured with glue from a hot gun. If we talk about the plug, then the glue is poured into the solder joint, then into the cavity of the cap, the excess is then removed. The joint is assembled so quickly that the adhesive mass does not harden. The result is an eternal, strong and elastic connection. To make contact, we strip the ends of the cable from the plug side by 1 cm, from the antenna side by 2 cm.
When connecting by soldering, a do-it-yourself indoor digital DVB-T2 antenna is also sealed with glue, where it is recommended to install a rigid frame at the point of contact according to the size of the joint. If the device is made for yourself and will be rigidly fixed during operation, and transfer is not needed, then the frame is not made. A device made of this type easily picks up digital signals in the direct line of sight of a television tower at a distance of up to 10 km when installed outdoors.
Using a “Polish” antenna
The “Polish” antenna received its name during the times of the former Soviet Union as a reliable device for receiving signals from Soviet television, as well as channels in the UHF range. Digital broadcasting is practically not received on it due to its low efficiency. Some amateurs are trying to bring the design to ideal by shortening the long decimeter mustache and removing the reflector. In some cases, such a change allows you to adjust the image in a digital format, but it is impossible to guarantee a reliable result. Speaking about Polish devices, we can note the high-quality operation of the amplifier, which works effectively with a digital signal.
Antenna type "square"
This DIY indoor DVB-T2 antenna is a modified copy of the standard design, known as “three squares,” which has six components and a matching transformer. A homemade antenna of this type confidently copes with receiving digital TV channels at a distance of up to 10 km in a straight line; for longer distances a signal amplifier is required.
The antenna design is simple to implement. The main structural element consists of round aluminum wire and single-core wires. The wire is bent to obtain six squares and a matching tap is made, which is a high-frequency transformer, so that the cable and the DVB-T2 antenna with the amplifier match the signal. With their own hands they solder the wires to the points, wrap them with copper wire and tin them with a soldering iron.
The cable is attached to the antenna with special clamps or using ordinary insulating tape. The cable is connected by placing a support, using a wooden plank or other material. When installing indoors or outside a building, the main condition is precise alignment with the television tower. This is done using a navigator; if there is no line of sight, the direction is clarified until the effect of receiving a powerful signal.
Antenna made from beer cans
The technology for manufacturing such an effective antenna is very simple and does not require special skills.
Using a thick awl or screwdriver, make neat holes in the neck of each of the two cans, then screw screws into them. The cable ends are freed from the braid, the copper wires are cleaned of varnish with a knife, and they are attached under the screw heads. It is very good to solder the resulting connection, but not necessary.
The DVB-T2 digital antenna is almost made with your own hands; it remains on the prepared rail or pipe to secure the cans so that there is a distance of 7.5 cm between them. The second cable end is equipped with a standard plug that is connected to the receiver, the device is installed in the place where the signal is best recorded. Placing this type of device outdoors requires reliable protection from the weather. This is done with any waterproof material; large plastic bottles are often used. The antenna receives up to 15 satellite television channels and digital broadcasting.
Using Instruments and Amplification
At a certain distance from the television tower, the antenna is capable of receiving signals without installing additional amplifying devices. To receive a signal from a greater distance, use a wave amplifier with separate power supply. The device is installed near the tuner, and the matching device is made additionally; for its manufacture you need:
- potentiometer for gain adjustment;
- standard decoupled throttles L4 and L3;
- coils L2 and L1 are wound according to dimensions from the directory;
- a metal screen to separate the output circuits from the device circuit.
The amplifiers are placed no further than 3 meters from the place where the DVB-T2 cable antenna is installed, which receives power from its own unit with its contacts. When installing an antenna near a broadcasting tower, it is not recommended to use an additional amplifier, since a strong signal degrades the image and has an additional effect on the entire structure. The recommended cable length is three meters; a larger wire will lead to imbalance of the balun.
Application of a symmetrizer
This device is needed for any type of antenna, and it does not matter whether it was made at a factory or in a craftsman’s workshop. A self-made antenna for DVB-T2 produces good image quality when connected to a tuner. If the cable length is more than 10 m, then when installed outside the building, inconsistencies in the resistance of the external space and the cable arise. In this case, it is necessary to use a symmetrizer in a comprehensive antenna solution, which greatly improves the quality of the image on the screen.
Cable laying and antenna installation
The main rule is to install the antenna at a height. If this cannot be done in the room, you need to move the device to an external wall. To install an antenna in a private building, digital broadcasting operators rely on a device height of 10 m. If the antenna is located on the ground floor of a house, then nearby metal structures and industrial facilities cause poor reception.
When placing the antenna under a canopy or the roof of a house, pay attention to the roofing material - it should not contain a metallized coating or spraying. Metal tiles, corrugated sheets, iron or foil insulation create significant interference with the reception of digital television signals.
For high-mounted receiving antennas on a metal mast or pin, a steel rod of at least one meter in size is provided, to which a grounding wire is connected. The device located on the roof is included in the general grounding system of the house.
The cable is not routed through smoke and ventilation ducts, and is not hung on existing electrical wires, even if they look more than reliable. The holes in the walls are placed at an angle so that moisture from the street does not flow into the room; special plugs are used that are commercially available. If the antenna is made well and correctly, take a cable and wall sockets of high quality, since after the final finishing of the walls it is difficult to redo the cable in the wall and replace it with a more reliable one.
Compliance with safety precautions when installing the antenna
Before installing or adjusting an already mounted antenna at a height, make sure that this action is safe:
- do not climb onto weakly secured and shaky structures; if working at height is associated with danger, be sure to wear a mounting belt and attach it to a fixed part of the building structure;
- The assistant is not allowed to hold the end without first securing it; if he falls, the assistant will not be able to hold his body weight in his hands;
- It is forbidden to climb to a height alone, when structures are icing, to walk on an old roof, or to step on connecting seams;
- Do not install the antenna in rain or fog.
In conclusion, it should be said that it is quite simple to make your own receiving device in order to watch digital television. DVB-T2, a home-made antenna, is almost as good in quality (if you follow the right technology) as store-bought counterparts. The cost of materials will allow you to save a decent amount of money, which is important for some people.
You will need
- - ski poles;
- - plastic tube;
- - M3 screws;
- - nuts;
- - washers;
- - plastic clamps;
- - dowels;
- - drill with drills;
- - screwdriver;
- - pliers;
- - wrench;
- - coaxial cable;
- - TV connector;
- - roulette;
- - hacksaw for metal;
- - soldering supplies.
Instructions
Take metal skis - aluminum or titanium. Make them into vibrators for the future. There should be two vibrators, they have the same length. Decide which channel you will watch. The length of the vibrators depends on this. For 1-3 it is 1000-1100 mm, for 4-6 - 750 mm, for 7-9 - 360 mm, for 10-12 - 310 mm. If the length of the ski poles is not enough, splice the tubes from several pieces, connecting them with metal tubes of larger diameter. For example, tubes from old folding beds will work. You can fasten vibrators in another way - by placing them on metal rods. But you definitely need to ensure contact.
Connect the vibrators to each other using an insulating tube. For such a tube, you can use, for example, a piece from a gymnastics hoop. A white plumbing pipe will also work (black is not suitable because it contains and, accordingly, is a poor insulator). You can also take a wooden cork made from well-dried or paraffin-boiled wood. The distance between the ends of the metal tubes should be 6-8 cm.
Stepping back 2 cm from the ends of the tubes connected by a stopper, drill through holes with a diameter of 3 mm in each. Such an antenna can already be connected to the TV if it has an input for a two-wire line. In this case, you can use a lighting electrical wire as a cable, which is attached to the antenna with two through screws passed through drilled holes.
But usually modern TVs use a coaxial connector. To connect a homemade antenna, you will need a matching device. Take a piece of television cable equal in length to one vibrator. Attach its central core on both sides to the vibrator using screws. You have what is called a U-knee.
Cut one arm of the U-elbow in half lengthwise and strip the cable braid and cores. Prepare the other end of the cable that goes to the television connector in the same way. Solder together all three braids of the resulting cable sections. Insulate the solder joint. Solder all three central cores together. The matching device is ready, the antenna can be connected.
Such an antenna should be oriented perpendicular to the direction of the television center. It can be hung from the ceiling or on the wall using plastic clamps. If the polarization of the wave is vertical, such an antenna must also be installed vertically. This is more convenient, since such an antenna looks bulky when installed horizontally.
Sometimes a television antenna breaks down at the most inopportune moment, or it is simply not at hand. For example, during a trip to the country. In this case, the question arises of how to make an antenna for a TV with your own hands from what you have at hand.
Using a homemade transmitter, you can watch a limited number of channels. And the reception may be of lower quality than that of a purchased device. Still, knowing how to make an antenna yourself from available materials can come in handy. An antenna can be either simple or complex. The device will be able to receive almost all types of broadcasts.
Antenna types
Before you start making a TV antenna with your own hands, it is worth understanding the types and technical characteristics of television receivers.
Depending on the installation location, indoor and outdoor television receivers are distinguished. Indoor devices are effective only in areas with good signal reception. They are not suitable for country TVs. For rural areas and areas remote from the television repeater, outdoor television receivers are used.
Based on the type of signal amplifier, television receivers are either active or passive. Passive-type structures receive and amplify impulses due to their own geometry. They do not require power supply and do not introduce their own interference and noise into the signal they receive. Making a passive antenna yourself is the easiest way.
Active devices are equipped with a signal amplifier, which is powered from the mains. An active amplifier itself creates interference and distortion in the area of reliable reception if a device that is too powerful or of poor quality is selected.
Broadcasting is carried out on meter or decimeter waves. To receive only meter or only decimeter broadcast bands, band television receivers are best suited. For example, for the transmission of digital terrestrial television DVB-T2 in our country, only the decimeter range is used.
A log-periodic, or all-wave, television antenna can receive waves in both the meter and decimeter ranges. This is a broadband design with 10 vibrators. The log-periodic device in terms of gain corresponds to a 3-4 element all-wave antenna.
Operating frequencies are limited by the largest and smallest vibrator in the receiver. It fits well with the feeder. Its gain does not change, so connecting to the feeder does not require balancing and matching devices.
A cable with a resistance of 75 Ohms enters the lower tube, exits at the end (which is directed towards the television center) and is connected by a braid to the end of the lower tube, and by a core to the end of the upper tube.
Externally and according to the principle of operation, a log-periodic television antenna consists of several channel-wave devices connected together. Moreover, each of them has its own vibrator, reflector and director. When a signal arrives, vibrators closest in size to half its wavelength are excited. Such television antennas are used to receive both digital and analogue broadcasts.
The wave channel type receiver has the simplest design, which can be quickly assembled from simple and affordable materials. It receives an analogue television signal near a television tower and a digital one outside large populated areas, where there is little interference.
We use beer cans
A do-it-yourself dacha antenna made from beer cans is the simplest and most affordable passive type design. It can be done quickly and without basic skills. At the same time, it copes well with receiving UHF broadcasts.
To assemble an antenna from beer cans you will need:
- cable of sufficient length;
- aluminum cans (for the simplest design, 2 are enough);
- 2 bolts or self-tapping screws;
- plug (F – connector) for connecting the cable to the TV;
- electrical tape or tape;
- a base made of wood or plastic for attaching cans (you can use wooden coat hangers).
The antenna circuit is simple:
- Each can is attached with electrical tape or tape to the base pin at a distance of 7 cm from each other.
- The cable is stripped on one side. They are spread out and attached to the rings of the cans or to screwed-in screws. It can also be soldered. A plug is attached to the free end.
This simplest design is suitable for installation both indoors and outdoors. When used externally, the jars are covered with a large plastic container with the neck and bottom cut off. The cable is pulled through a hole made on the side, which can be sealed using boiling water. The finished receiver is connected and configured through automatic channel search.
You can also make an analogue of a satellite dish with your own hands. For this purpose, use a simple umbrella. You will also need:
- aluminum foil;
- copper cable;
- 1 tin can;
- amplifier and power supply for it.
DIY TV antenna made from beer cans
Operating procedure:
- Measure the umbrella segments between the spokes and cut out elements corresponding to these dimensions from foil. They are sewn to the dome of the umbrella, covering its entire interior.
- A TV signal receiver is installed at the focal point of the metal grille. The amplifier will be a core from which 4 cm of braiding has previously been removed, and a cable screen that protects against interference.
- An oval is cut out of an aluminum can. A hole is made in the center of it, through which a bare wire is passed and a contact is soldered. To protect against oxidation and corrosion, the joint is covered with plasticine.
- The amplifier is powered via a cable.
- The receiver is attached to the handle of the umbrella with tape so that it does not touch the metal. This will protect you from interference and distortion. The junction must be sealed with plasticine.
- The power supply is placed next to the TV, and the antenna is turned towards the repeater.
- Channels are established by driving the dish until the best signal is obtained.
This antenna works best if the tower is located no further than 35 km from it.
We use wire
Another simple design is a homemade wire antenna. To make it, you can use copper or brass wire. These materials are resistant to oxidation.
The wire must be stripped of insulation from the ends. One of them is connected to the TV, and the other to the radiator of the heating system. The pipe is led to the roof - it will work as a signal amplifier. Such an antenna will be able to receive no more than 5 signals. The wire can be stretched onto the balcony and secured to a clothesline.
You can make a TV antenna from wire in another way. It will require:
- 2 pieces of copper wire 3-4 mm wide and 1.8 m long;
- a plate of plywood or metal measuring 15 by 15 cm;
- amplifier (you can use old decimeter amplifiers);
- electric drill;
- TV cable;
- iron pipe or fittings for making a mast;
- bolts.
This copper wire antenna is assembled as follows:
- They make catchers by bending the wire in the shape of 2 diamonds with sides of 45 cm. This is the optimal frame length for such a device.
- The resulting diamonds are fixed on the base. To do this, holes are drilled at the fastening points, flattening the wire, and screws are screwed in.
- If a metal plate is used as a base, then a welding machine can be used to attach the catcher.
- We fix the amplifier in the center and connect the cable to it.
The easiest way to use a mast here is to use a metal pipe, which can simply be dug into the ground or attached to any suitable support. The antenna is fixed to the top of the mast, and the cable is pulled through it. The entire structure is painted to protect against corrosion.
Another popular TV receiver made of copper wire that you can make yourself is a small-sized antenna with an unusual “butterfly” shape. For external use, such a device is made of wire 2-4 mm thick, for internal use - 2 mm or thinner.
A frame is made to receive TV channels. Frame length – 500 mm, width – 200 mm. It is twisted so that 2 identical triangles are obtained, which are separated using wire cutters and soldered to the cable, leaving a 14 mm distance between the vertices. A plug is attached to the other end of the cable. The structure is taped with adhesive tape or electrical tape to a material with dielectric properties - wood, ebonite, plastic.
Home digital HDTV device
A powerful antenna for a TV, capable of receiving a signal at 490 MHz, is made from a transformer, which is better to purchase, since it will not be easy to make it yourself. You will also need:
- cardboard;
- scotch:
- foil;
- stapler;
- glue.
To make a television receiver, a diagram is used according to which all the parts are cut out of cardboard. The elements are covered with foil, bent and trimmed. It is best to first find a template and diagram through a search engine and print it out on a printer or copy it from a printed publication.
First you need to make a reflector about 35 cm long and cover it on one side with foil. In the middle, 2 rectangles of the same size are cut to attach the catcher.
The antenna is assembled from the prepared parts. Departing 35 mm from the reflector, butterfly-shaped elements are glued to the plate. They can be attached using a stapler. In the middle of each such element, a hole is made for the cable, to which a transformer is connected and a plug is attached.
Option for apartment
You can make an antenna for indoor use using any of the methods presented above.
Another simple option at home is made as follows.
A simple DIY frame indoor antenna is made from copper wire or cable with foil in the winding. The device not only receives television channels, but also serves as a selective filter against interference.
To calculate the size of the loop, you need to know the wave frequency for a given region. The length of the loop will be equal to the product of the coefficient (300 units) and the average frequency range.
Cut off the required amount of wire or cable and clean the edges if necessary. Make a loop out of it and solder the TV cable leading to the receiver. A plug is connected to it.
The structure can be hung or installed on a stand. This simple device, with accurate calculations, is most effective for digital television.
A reliable device for the home is a diamond-shaped antenna. It is the simplest representative of zigzag television receivers. To improve reception, it is equipped with capacitive inserts and a reflector.
The device is assembled from plates or tubes 1-1.5 cm wide made of brass, copper or aluminum. To make capacitive inserts, foil, tin or metal mesh is used, which is soldered around the perimeter. The cable is laid from the center and along one side, avoiding sharp bends. It should not leave the frame.
Digital television is broadcast in the UHF range. Therefore, you can use almost any UHF antenna. But I needed simple, easily repeatable and strong UHF antenna range.
Such that you could carry it with you, and on occasion you wouldn’t mind giving it to people for a small amount.
The basis was taken from the famous “ eight“, with the difference that I used it without a reflector.
The material for the antenna sheet can be any conductive material of suitable cross-section. It can be copper or aluminum wire with a thickness of 1 to 5 mm, a tube, strip, busbar, corner, profile... I took copper wire with a diameter of 3 mm. Easy to solder, easy to bend during assembly, easy to straighten if bent.
The outer side of the square is 14 cm, the inner side is slightly smaller - 13 cm due to the fact that the middle of the two squares does not converge, about 2 cm from corner to corner.
So, if you are not making an antenna from wire, then measure it this way - the top sides are 14 cm, the sides are 13.
All sizes are approximate. Don't be afraid to get shortchanged or make mistakes. Our plans do not include making an antenna that meets all standards. We need a simple but workhorse. A surrogate, but reliable. Surrogate because:
1
. Personally, I definitely couldn’t keep the sizes.
2
. There is no reflector.
3
. I took a 50 ohm cable instead of 75 ohm, but with a thick braid. Friends usually used this cable for car antennas for 27 MHz radio stations.
Nevertheless, the antenna works quite well.
A digital signal has a peculiarity; it either exists or it doesn’t. When receiving analog television, different channels were shown with different levels of interference, and when removed, the level of snow on the screen simply increased until the signal disappeared completely. In digital, the signal is almost the same on all channels and if there is reception, then there is all channels.
I have tested this antenna on more than a dozen TVs in our region.
So. We measure a piece with a total length of 112 cm and bend the wire. The first section is 13 cm + 1 cm for the loop (for strength). The second and third are 14 cm each, the fourth and heels are 13 cm each, the sixth and seventh are 14 cm each, and the last eighth is 13 cm + 1 cm stiffening loop.
We strip 1.5 - 2 cm at both ends, twist the two loops behind each other, and then solder the joint. This will be one cable connection pin. After 2 cm another. It doesn’t matter where to solder the central core or the braid.
Solder spacing 2 cm
I took about three meters of cable. In most cases, it’s enough if you don’t do it for yourself personally. For yourself, measure out as much as you need.
I stripped the cable from the antenna side by two centimeters, to the plug - 1 cm. If the plug is like in the photo. You can take any, stronger.
Stripping the cable
The plug was cleaned with a file and a scalpel.
After sealing, both soldering points are filled with glue from a gun. On the plug, first hot glue is poured into the soldering area and into the plastic cap, with a reserve; the excess can then be removed. Then, before the glue cools down, everything quickly comes together. You can’t gnaw such a joint with your teeth. Reliable, at the same time elastic.
The soldering on the antenna itself is also filled with glue, but for the rigidity of the structure, a frame is taken - any lid, box, .... I took the cap from a 20-liter water bottle, of which I had accumulated a sufficient amount. If you are making an antenna like me for mass production, then it is better to immediately use common materials that are literally lying under your feet for better repeatability of the antenna. If the antenna is made in a single copy for quick riveting, then you don’t have to fill anything at all.
The result is such a design that can be stuck anywhere - on a cornice, on a curtain, on a window frame. To do this, you can carry with you a piece of wire, a couple of screws, a couple of pins...
Antenna assembly
If the antenna is dented during transfer, it can be easily and without damage aligned. This is perhaps its main advantage.
I don’t always carry this design with me, but only when I receive a specific order to connect a DVB-T2 digital television tuner. It fits easily with the tool in my backpack.
It is more convenient to make several antennas at once. Takes less time.
This is how my friend fixed the antenna, using it as an outdoor one. The tower is about 9 km away. Reception is reliable despite the simplicity of the antenna.
So, imagine this situation: in the evening you decided to watch your favorite TV program, and suddenly the TV stopped showing - the cable TV was turned off. Or another case: you arrived at the dacha, already prepared for a vacation and discovered that you forgot to buy an antenna for the TV - not a single channel works. What to do in this case? The answer is simple - you need to make an antenna for the TV with your own hands from scrap materials, because most likely the cause of the breakdown is this particular device. Next, we will look at the simplest manufacturing options, which will require a minimum of available parts and time.
Idea #1 – Use beer cans!
This version of a homemade television antenna is the simplest and fastest to manufacture. The maximum number of channels that you can catch is 7, but this figure can vary significantly depending on the region, terrain features and distance to the TV tower.
To make a TV antenna from beer cans, you will need the following materials:
- 2 small self-tapping screws, also called “bugs” (not needed if you have a soldering iron);
- 2 prepared beer cans (empty, washed and dried);
- from 3 to 5 meters of television cable (can be taken from a failed device);
- soldering iron and tin (for better fixation of contacts), availability is optional;
- screwdriver;
- wooden trempel (hanger);
- electrical tape or tape.
Finding all the materials in the house will not be a problem, so having prepared them, we immediately get down to business.
In order to make a homemade antenna from cans, you need to complete the following steps:
- We prepare the cable. First, at a distance of 10 cm from the edge, you need to make a shallow circular cut and remove the top layer of insulation. Having opened access to the screen, we collapse it into one bundle. After this, we cut off the middle insulating layer, exposing the copper core of the cable by a few cm. At the second end of the wire there should be a regular antenna plug.
- We prepare the jars. There will also be no difficulties with containers that will act as signal receivers. First you need to choose the optimal dimensions of beer cans. It is better to use liter ones, but if these are not available, containers with a volume of 0.5 and 0.75 liters will also cope well with the task.
- Let's make contacts. At this stage, the twisted cable screen is fixed to one can, and the copper core itself is fixed to the other. Fixation is carried out by bedbugs using a screwdriver or a regular screwdriver. However, it is recommended to fasten the wire not with bugs, but with a soldering iron. The result should look like this:
- We assemble a homemade antenna for a TV. The signal receiver is ready, now we make a supporting structure, which we use as a trempel or a regular hanger. Under no circumstances should it be made of wire or metal. Using electrical tape, we fix the containers to the trempel (as shown in the photo). We draw your attention to the fact that the banks must be strictly on the same straight line, otherwise the homemade product will not work and receive the signal stably.
- Setting up an antenna for the TV. Now you need to experiment with the optimal distance between the cans, as well as where to hang the device and its position so that the homemade product catches many channels. We turn on the TV and determine exactly how the receivers should be located and where is the most suitable place for their work. This completes the technology for creating the device.
As you can see, the whole process is quite simple and does not represent anything complicated. The optimal distance is 75 mm between the ends of the cans, and the best installation location is near a window or on an external mast. In individual cases, the distance between the banks can be made larger or smaller.
Visual video instructions for creating a simple antenna from cans
Idea No. 2 – Use wire
Another equally good option that is advisable to use in the village is a homemade antenna made of copper wire with an amplifier.
All you need for production is:
- amplifier (suitable from an old device, for example, a non-working or disassembled antenna);
- two pieces of wire 180 cm each, it is advisable to choose thick and stiff so that the wind does not damage the device;
- a piece of metal (or wood) plate 15*15 cm;
- electric drill with a set of drills (a welding machine is desirable);
- small bolts;
- hammer;
- iron pipe;
- a television cable of suitable length with a plug (sold in radio stores, not expensive, can be removed from a non-working device).
So, to make your own TV antenna from copper wire, you need to complete the following steps:
Please note that in the photo examples, both the amplifier, the reflector, and the wire are covered with paint. Painting protects the structure from corrosion and other adverse factors, significantly extending the service life of a homemade TV antenna.
Idea No. 3 – Home HDTV device
If the first 2 options worked at a frequency of no more than 270 MHz, then the next manufacturing method will allow you to enjoy a higher quality picture, because The signal range can reach up to 490 MHz. The only part that is unlikely to be found among household items is a matching transformer from 300 to 75 Ohms. You will need to buy it in advance at a specialized store, but some plugs already contain this part.
Although, there are instructions on the Internet for making a homemade transformer, you can find and use it, this will significantly improve your skills in assembling homemade antennas.
Materials you will need:
- Scotch
- Cardboard
- Stationery knife
- Foil
- Stapler
- Scissors
- Marker
- Roulette
- Glue (pencil or PVA)
Having prepared all this school kit, let's get down to business!
First you need to draw (or print on a computer) this diagram:
Now, according to the diagram, we cut out all the spare parts, including the necessary pieces of foil:
After this, you need to make a reflector with dimensions of 35 * 32.5 cm (height and width). Cover one side with foil.
In the middle we cut out two identical rectangles, which are necessary in order to completely assemble the signal catcher for a homemade antenna for a TV. The rectangle should be 3.5 cm long, its purpose is to maintain the distance between the reflector and the auxiliary parts.
We glue the parts onto the rectangle, and when the glue sets, we drill holes for the television cable.
We connect the transformer and cable using twists, tape or a soldering iron. A more powerful TV antenna is ready for use! It should also be noted that this homemade version is only suitable for indoor use, because The paper will quickly become wet from being used outdoors.
Assembling a digital antenna from a TV cable and a cardboard box
Another option for a powerful device made at home:
HDTV antenna made from improvised means
Idea No. 4 – Apartment option
There is another way to make a powerful antenna for a TV from improvised materials, which is suitable for both outdoor and indoor use.
To make the device you will need the following materials and tools:
- 4-meter copper wire, cross-section 4 mm2;
- board of arbitrary thickness, 55 cm long and 7 cm wide;
- wood screws;
- ruler or tape measure;
- simple pencil;
- screwdriver;
- soldering iron;
- antenna plug.
So, first, we transfer the drawing to the workpiece and drill holes in the board: 
Then we transfer the drawing data to the board and drill in the appropriate fastening points. 
Next, the copper wire must be straightened and cut into 8 equal pieces of 37.5 cm each. 
In the middle of each of the 37.5 cm sections, the insulation must be removed (as shown in the picture). To do this, use a sharp knife; a stationery knife is perfect. 
We cut off 2 more pieces of wire 22 cm long and divide them into 3 equal parts, bend them slightly and, again, remove the insulation in these places. 
We bend the prepared wire in exposed areas. We draw your attention to the fact that for those segments that are bent in half, the distance between the ends must be 7.5 cm (the optimal value for receiving a signal from a homemade television antenna). 
Next, we attach the plug to the finished homemade product, and connect the television cable to it. 
This concludes the manufacturing process. We select a suitable location and direction where signal reception is best, and install the device. 
We tried to select the simplest instructions. We hope that now you know how to make a home TV antenna with your own hands! We draw your attention to the fact that today on the Internet you can find many other options in which inventors come up with more and more new manufacturing options, using, for example, copper and aluminum tubes, disks, electrodes... The choice of components for assembly is usually determined only by their availability, so don’t be afraid to experiment and come up with your own, original manufacturing methods.
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