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 in this 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.
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 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.
Another option for a powerful device made at home:
Idea No. 4 – Apartment option
There is another way to make a powerful antenna for a TV using 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;
- a 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 should 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.
Related materials:
Visual video instructions for creating a simple antenna from cans
Assembling a digital antenna from a TV cable and a cardboard box
HDTV antenna made from improvised means
High Definition Television, What is it? To answer this question, you just need to see it once. Conduct a comparative analysis, so to speak! Those. take two large TVs, run regular TV on one of them, and on the other, and compare. When you meet for the first time, you will get an unforgettable feeling!
The approximate difference can be seen in the illustration! On the left is regular TV, on the right is HDTV. The difference will also be visible on the TV on which you will watch a movie or any other television content. In technical language we can say the following:
HDTV (High Definition TV) is a recently emerged direction of world video, in Russian it is called high-definition television. Good old television is capable of bringing us a picture measuring 720 by 576 pixels, and HDTV allows us to see television content measuring 1920 by 1080 pixels. And it’s almost 5 times clearer than regular TV!!!
High definition television
High definition television- this is the same as high definition television! At the moment, two Russian satellite operators are broadcasting in high definition! This and . Broadcasting TV channels of various genres and topics, these satellite operators never cease to delight fans of high-definition television!
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When digital television broadcasting in the DVB-T2 format began in our city a year ago, I purchased a set-top box to receive it, since my TV has a built-in DVB-T tuner and, accordingly, could not receive the new digital television standard. For reception, a homemade indoor antenna was used, which was made in one evening from scrap materials.
But its unsightly appearance somewhat spoiled the appearance of the room and it was decided to look for an indoor antenna of more or less decent appearance. Several online stores were searched, but neither the appearance nor the price suited me. Black Friday 2014 came and that’s when it was found the antenna you are looking for at a very attractive price.
Delivery
24.12. 2014, an order was placed, on December 29, 2014, the seller sent the order (delivery is free, but by One world express) and on January 29, 2015, it was received safe and sound. The seller provided a tracking number and judging by it, oh, how my purchase around the world. From Hong Kong it came to London, Heathrow Airport and then its traces were lost. It came to Russia from Hungary (???), but after all the ordeals it reached the recipient safe and sound.
It came in a standard white package, with a blister with an antenna wrapped in bubble wrap:
The contents of the blister are the antenna itself with a 2-meter cable and a standard TV plug at the end, a removable stand with a suction cup, and an adhesive “blot” for mounting on vertical surfaces: 
There were also instructions for assembling the antenna in pictures, but it doesn’t carry much meaning, so I won’t show it.
Antenna assembly and installation
Assembling the antenna was reduced to installing it on the stand and connecting the plug to the antenna socket of the DVB-T2 set-top box. When assembled, the antenna has the following dimensions:
Height: 23 cm
Width: 20 cm
I didn’t use the “Blob”, since the antenna stands quite steadily on the stand without it. Here it is already at the combat post: 
The channels were set up with a homemade antenna and there is a signal: 
Pros:
1.Good appearance for indoor antenna.
2.Price (at the time of purchase).
3. Compactness.
4.It works.
Minuses:
Didn't find it.
Signal reception quality
There is no point in buying an HDTV antenna if you have problems receiving a high definition signal. An HDTV signal is broadcast in one of two frequency ranges: VHF (very high frequencies) and UHF (ultra high frequencies). Most HDTV broadcasting is carried out in the UHF range, so it is best to choose an antenna that receives the UHF signal. However, many antennas are capable of receiving both frequency bands.
Signal reception range
In terms of reception range, there are two types of HDTV antennas. Directional antennas can only receive a signal in one direction, but have a longer range, while multi-directional or multi-directional antennas receive a signal from all directions, but usually have a shorter reception range and problems with interference (noise). Many high-quality HDTV antennas for outdoor use are capable of receiving signals over a distance of more than 50 km, and some even up to 100 km. However, it is important to consider the terrain between your home and the broadcast stations. Mountains or city buildings can significantly reduce the reception range of your antenna, while relatively flat terrain will not interfere with the signal.
Ease of use
When your new antenna arrives on your doorstep, it will most likely look like a bunch of metal rods in a box from which you will have the pleasure of assembling the antenna. The main influence on the ease of use of the antenna is exerted by such factors as the informativeness of the assembly instructions, the presence of additional fasteners and free wires included.
Antennas for high-definition televisions (HDTV) have recently become as urgent a need as the televisions themselves, because... All over the world, more and more television companies are switching to the HD standard. And to watch TV shows in the latest HD standard, you only need to buy special antennas that can transmit exceptional picture quality. But you should know that any television antenna that catches your eye will absolutely not work in our case, because... To receive an HD signal, only an HD antenna is required.
To buy the right antenna and not waste money and time, you must adhere to the following recommendations.
The first thing you need to ask yourself is why do we need HD antennas at all?
What is the difference between standard TV broadcasts and HD broadcasts? For your information, it should be added that HD antennas can receive more than 1000 color lines, while a standard antenna can only receive 480 color lines. In other words, the more lines that can be transmitted over the air, the higher quality and clearer the resulting image will be. And this is why most of the people want to buy HDTVs and HD antennas. Towards justice It should be added that HD format antennas will be useful to the consumer only if he wants to receive and watch HD television pictures for free, that is, over the air. But if you have a satellite tuner or are planning to watch HD programs via the Internet, then in this case you do not need to buy such an expensive HD antenna.
There are a sufficient number of various HD antennas on the television equipment market. They have different functions and capabilities. Some antennas are quite small, barely larger than a rabbit's ear, while others can reach impressive sizes. Antenna size matters. The larger the antenna size, the better the received quality will be.
But it’s not only worth paying close attention to the size of HD antennas. The location of the antenna installation itself is also important. If there is a tall building in front of your house or apartment that will block the HD signal, the quality of your HD picture will leave much to be desired.
To be fair, it should be added that HD signals are transmitted over the air in the same frequency range as analog television signals. Thus, if there is already an analog antenna on the roof of your house, then you do not need to spend money on buying an expensive HD antenna. Thus, you will simply throw money down the drain! What you need is to buy a special converter that can convert an analog signal into an HD signal! However, if you have an old analog antenna from Soviet times, then in this case it will definitely not work! You will have to buy an expensive HD antenna that can solve all your problems.
Not all TVs are capable of receiving HD signals from HD antennas. The latest HD antennas transmit television pictures in 16:9 format. And if, after connecting the HD antenna, you begin to notice black bars at the top and bottom of the image, then this clearly indicates that you need to buy a widescreen television panel. You'll have to go to the store and buy an LCD or wide plasma panel. Old TVs are no longer suitable for this.
