How to Make a Homemade TV Antenna

Antennas were first used and patented by Thomas Edison, in 1885. Quite often, antennas are referred to as aerials. Aerial and antenna both mean the same, and the words are often used interchangeably. However, to be very precise, an antenna is a metallic structure; whereas, an aerial is a wire format. Antennas which are quarter of a wavelength long, are the simplest to construct, and usually inexpensive to make. They can be categorized into two fundamental directional patterns; omnidirectional, which radiate in all directions, and directional, which radiate in one direction.

Let us take a look at how to make simple antennas at home. Cable TV is generally expensive (especially, in this time of recession), and there are times when we may want to watch a few local channels only. So, if you are a person who likes to make things at home, here are two methods to make a simple, cheap TV antenna at home.

Method 1

With this method, a simple antenna can be made with the help of a needle and speaker wire. Although, any kind of wire can be used, speaker wire is preferred as it is quite flexible.

Things Required

    Sewing pin with elastic bulb at end
    Speaker wire
    Wire cutters
    Double-sided tape
    Any conductive metal

Instructions

    Strip the ends of the wire with the help of the wire cutter.
    Wrap the wire around the needle, keeping it close to the bulb. If a needle is unavailable, any other sleek, pointed metal object can be used. Be sure that the wire touches the metal.
    Attach the other end to any metallic object and keep it at a high place, though not above or near the television.
    Locate the UHF antenna port area on the back of your TV. Take the needle and insert it in the UHF outlet, and turn on the TV.
    It is better to turn on the TV first, and tune the channel, while trying out places to hang your antenna. This ensures that you can hang your antenna, where you get the best reception.

Method 2

Using this method, you can make an antenna for High Definition TV (HDTV) with the help of metallic can.

Things Required

    Empty metallic can
    Piece of cable
    A wooden piece to hold the cans
    Furniture tape

The advantage of using a can is that it has the right geometry for the dipole antenna. A dipole antenna is one with two wires pointing in opposite directions - attached to two rods - each of quarter-wavelength.

Instructions

    Cut the can into two symmetrically equal parts, and attach them to the wooden piece, with the help of furniture tape.
    Strip one side of the cable, separating the inner copper wire from the outside 'screening wires'.
    Connect the inner copper wire to one-half of the can, and the outer wire to the other half.
    Now, connect the antenna to the TV. Make sure to place the antenna perpendicular to the direction of the TV tower, and as high as possible.
    Run the auto search feature on your digital TV and see the channels that it picks up.

Outdoor antennas are usually better than indoor antennas. Conventional elevated, outdoor antennas give better quality and more channels, but do not expect the same quality or number of channels from your homemade antenna. Conventional antennas also have a surge protector - missing in homemade ones - without which, you risk not only your TV, but your whole house, as it can catch fire, in case of lightning.

However, if you stay in a place where there is no risk of lightning, you can try these methods. They are cheap, somewhat reliable, can be easily made at home. These methods require a creative mind, and if you enjoy such things, go ahead and try your hand at making these.