Connecting a television antenna with your own hands. What is a “square” and is it worth taking on it yourself? Is a calculation necessary?
Despite the rapid development of satellite and cable television, the reception of terrestrial television broadcasts still remains relevant, for example, for places of seasonal residence. It is not at all necessary to buy a finished product for this purpose; a home UHF antenna can be assembled with your own hands. Before moving on to considering the designs, we will briefly explain why this particular range of the television signal was chosen.
Why DMV?
There are two good reasons to choose designs of this type:
- The thing is that most channels are broadcast in this range, since the design of repeaters is simplified, and this makes it possible to install a larger number of unattended low-power transmitters and thereby expand the coverage area.
- This range is selected for digital broadcasting.
Indoor TV antenna “Rhombus”
This simple, but at the same time, reliable design was one of the most common in the heyday of broadcast television.
Rice. 1. The simplest homemade Z-antenna, known under the names: “Rhombus”, “Square” and “People’s Zigzag”As can be seen from the sketch (B Fig. 1), the device is a simplified version of the classic zigzag (Z-design). To increase sensitivity, it is recommended to equip it with capacitive inserts (“1” and “2”), as well as a reflector (“A” in Fig. 1). If the signal level is quite acceptable, this is not necessary.
The material you can use is aluminum, copper, and brass tubes or strips 10-15 mm wide. If you plan to install the structure outdoors, it is better to abandon aluminum, since it is susceptible to corrosion. Capacitive inserts are made of foil, tin or metal mesh. After installation, they are soldered along the circuit.
The cable is laid as shown in the figure, namely: it did not have sharp bends and did not leave the side insert.
UHF antenna with amplifier
In places where a powerful relay tower is not located in relative proximity, you can raise the signal level to an acceptable value using an amplifier. Below is a schematic diagram of a device that can be used with almost any antenna.
Rice. 2. Antenna amplifier circuit for the UHF range List of elements:
- Resistors: R1 – 150 kOhm; R2 – 1 kOhm; R3 – 680 Ohm; R4 – 75 kOhm.
- Capacitors: C1 – 3.3 pF; C2 – 15 pF; C3 – 6800 pF; C4, C5, C6 – 100 pF.
- Transistors: VT1, VT2 – GT311D (can be replaced with: KT3101, KT3115 and KT3132).
Inductance: L1 – is a frameless coil with a diameter of 4 mm, wound with copper wire Ø 0.8 mm (2.5 turns must be made); L2 and L3 are high-frequency chokes 25 µH and 100 µH, respectively.
If the circuit is assembled correctly, we will get an amplifier with the following characteristics:
- bandwidth from 470 to 790 MHz;
- gain and noise factors – 30 and 3 dB, respectively;
- the value of the output and input resistance of the device corresponds to the RG6 cable – 75 Ohm;
- the device consumes about 12-14 mA.
Let's pay attention to the method of power supply; it is carried out directly through the cable.
This amplifier can work with the simplest designs made from improvised means.
Indoor antenna made from beer cans
Despite the unusual design, it is quite functional, since it is a classic dipole, especially since the dimensions of a standard can are perfectly suitable for the arms of a decimeter range vibrator. If the device is installed in a room, then in this case it is not even necessary to coordinate with the cable, provided that it is not longer than two meters.
Designations:
- A - two cans with a volume of 500 mg (if you take tin and not aluminum, you can solder the cable instead of using self-tapping screws).
- B – places where the cable shielding is attached.
- C – central vein.
- D – place of attachment of the central core
- E – cable coming from the TV.
The arms of this exotic dipole must be mounted on a holder made of any insulating material. As such, you can use improvised things, for example, a plastic clothes hanger, a mop bar or a piece of wooden beam of appropriate size. The distance between the shoulders is from 1 to 8 cm (selected empirically).
The main advantages of the design are fast production (10 - 20 minutes) and quite acceptable picture quality, provided there is sufficient signal power.
Making an antenna from copper wire
There is a design that is much simpler than the previous version, which only requires a piece of copper wire. We are talking about a narrow band loop antenna. This solution has undoubted advantages, since in addition to its main purpose, the device plays the role of a selective filter that reduces interference, which allows you to confidently receive a signal.
Fig.4. A simple UHF loop antenna for receiving digital TV For this design, you need to calculate the length of the loop; to do this, you need to find out the frequency of the “digit” for your region. For example, in St. Petersburg it is broadcast on 586 and 666 MHz. The calculation formula will be as follows: L R = 300/f, where L R is the length of the loop (the result is presented in meters), and f is the average frequency range, for St. Petersburg this value will be 626 (the sum of 586 and 666 divided by 2). Now we calculate L R, 300/626 = 0.48, which means the length of the loop should be 48 centimeters.
If you take a thick RG-6 cable with braided foil, it can be used instead of copper wire to make a loop.
Now let's tell you how the structure is assembled:
- A piece of copper wire (or RG6 cable) with a length equal to L R is measured and cut.
- A loop of suitable diameter is folded, after which a cable leading to the receiver is soldered to its ends. If RG6 is used instead of copper wire, then the insulation from its ends is first removed, approximately 1-1.5 cm (the central core does not need to be cleaned, it is not involved in the process).
- The loop is installed on the stand.
- An F connector (plug) is screwed onto the cable to the receiver.
Note that despite the simplicity of the design, it is most effective for receiving “digits”, provided that the calculations are carried out correctly.
Do-it-yourself MV and UHF indoor antenna
If, in addition to UHF, there is a desire to receive MF, you can assemble a simple multiwave oven, its drawing with dimensions is presented below.
To amplify the signal, this design uses a ready-made SWA 9 unit; if you have problems purchasing it, you can use a homemade device, the diagram of which was shown above (see Fig. 2).
It is important to maintain the angle between the petals; going beyond the specified range significantly affects the quality of the “picture”.
Despite the fact that such a device is much simpler than a log-periodic design with a wave channel, it nevertheless shows good results if the signal is of sufficient power.
DIY figure eight antenna for digital TV
Let's consider another common design option for receiving “digits”. It is based on the classic scheme for the UHF range, which, because of its shape, is called “Figure Eight” or “Zigzag”.
Rice. 6. Sketch and implementation of the digital eight Design dimensions:
- outer sides of the diamond (A) – 140 mm;
- internal sides (B) – 130 mm;
- distance to the reflector (C) – from 110 to 130 mm;
- width (D) – 300 mm;
- the pitch between the rods (E) is from 8 to 25 mm.
The cable connection location is at points 1 and 2. The material requirements are the same as for the “Rhombus” design, which was described at the beginning of the article.
Homemade antenna for DBT T2
Actually, all of the examples listed above are capable of receiving DBT T2, but for variety we will present a sketch of another design, popularly called “Butterfly”.
The material can be used as plates made of copper, brass, aluminum or duralumin. If the structure is planned to be installed outdoors, then the last two options are not suitable.
Bottom line: which option to choose?
Oddly enough, the simplest option is the most effective, so the “loop” is best suited for receiving a “digit” (Fig. 4). But, if you need to receive other channels in the UHF range, then it is better to stop at “Zigzag” (Fig. 6).
The antenna for the TV should be directed towards the nearest active repeater, in order to select the desired position, you should rotate the structure until the signal strength is satisfactory.
If, despite the presence of an amplifier and reflector, the quality of the “picture” leaves much to be desired, you can try installing the structure on a mast.
In this case, it is necessary to install lightning protection, but this is a topic for another article.
Today, stores are flooded with all kinds of television antennas, so purchasing the right antenna is not difficult. But it happens that it is not possible to buy an antenna, for example, in the country. It is to help in such a situation that we will tell you how to make a TV antenna with your own hands.
Beer can antenna
It is the most popular homemade antenna. It is popular because it is easy to make and the materials for it are readily available. Such an antenna can be made in 10 minutes, and works even better than a stationary one.
To make such an antenna you will have to use:
- cable;
- a couple of tin cans;
- two self-tapping screws;
- plug;
- insulating or adhesive tape;
- screwdriver;
- with a stick.
Manufacturing process:
First, we fasten the cans and the stick together with insulating tape. One can should be tied at a distance of approximately 7 cm from the other. If the cans have rings, then the cable is fastened to them.
Now we screw it into the cans with self-tapping screws, strip the ends in the antenna cable and attach it to the screws.
We fasten the cable and the stick with tape, this is necessary for the receiver to be stable.
An alternative to a wooden stick is a hanger.
To protect the antenna from losing its working properties under the influence of atmospheric factors, the jars should be covered with a two- to three-liter plastic bottle with the bottom and neck cut off. A hole should be made in the center of the bottle through which the cable must be pulled. When the connection is completed, the area is doused with boiling water. High temperature will cause the plastic to change shape and ensure the hole is sealed.
Antenna for TV with normal signal reception
If you don’t think that you are a great master, but still want to make an antenna for your TV yourself, then try the following steps:
Assemble one of the options shown in the pictures (they are almost identical in power, they differ only in design).
- Installation of this circuit is carried out on a plastic or wooden base, and the circuit itself is installed on a TV or balcony.
- The connection between the TV and the antenna is made with a plug and cable, on which the insulation is cut off to a length of approximately 5 cm.
- The opened winding must be divided in two and bent back.
- The inner winding is also cut to the same length and the wire core is exposed.
- The core and winding are attached to the plug with screws. If your plug is not equipped with a place for fastening the winding, the winding is cut off.
- The other edge of the cable is attached to the circuit. First, the end of the cable must be stripped and twisted into a ring.
- The connections are wrapped with insulating tape to ensure reliability.
- To improve the signal from such an antenna, you can use electronic amplifiers.
High Power TV Antenna
How to make an antenna for a TV with your own hands, so that it is not inferior in parameters to purchased options, and even surpasses them?
The answer is simple - you need to improve the receiving circuit.
To begin with, you should connect the signal amplifier to the antenna and carefully insulate the cable so that interference does not penetrate the signal.
For high-quality reception, you will need to make a screen - isolated from the TV and installed behind the receiver. Ordinary food foil, which is used in the kitchen, can be used as a screen.
There is no point in installing such an antenna at home; most often it is installed on the roof and turns to where the nearest TV tower is located.
Economical antenna made from a minimum of material
You need to take the simplest wire, but not aluminum, since aluminum oxidizes quickly. The ideal option is copper or brass wire. The wire should be stripped of insulation on both sides, after which one end of the wire is inserted into the TV, and the other is attached to a battery or pipe. You will see that the antenna will pick up the signal, since the pipe passes through the house to the roof, and plays the role of an amplifier of the required frequency. With this method you can actually catch about five channels.
To implement the second option, the apartment must have a balcony. Here you will need a wire of the same length, or even longer, to connect the TV and the balcony area. The wire is stripped on both sides, and one end is inserted into the TV, and the other is attached to stretched laundry strings. Thanks to this method, not only will channels be added, but the image will also become much higher quality.
Homemade antenna for T2 video
Now you know how to make an antenna for a TV with your own hands, all that remains is to attach it and point it at the signal emitter.
So, imagine this situation: in the evening you decided to watch your favorite TV program, and suddenly the TV stopped showing. Or another case: You arrived at the dacha, have already prepared for a vacation, and again the same situation - 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, because most likely the cause of the breakdown is in this device. Next, we will look at the simplest creation options, which will require a minimum of available tools 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 will be provided to you is 7, but this figure may vary slightly depending on the region.
To make a TV antenna from beer cans, you will need the following materials:
- 2 small screws, also called “bugs”;
- 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;
- 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:
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 the window. In individual cases, the distance between 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);
- two pieces of wire 180 cm each;
- a piece of metal (or wood) plate 15*15 cm;
- electric drill with a set of drills (or welding machine);
- small bolts;
- hammer;
- iron pipe;
- TV cable of suitable length.
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 if you decide to make your own TV antenna as an experiment and improve your skills. Although there are instructions for making a homemade transformer, you can find and use it.
Materials you will need:
Having prepared all this school kit, let's get down to business!
First you need to sketch (or print on your 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 of 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 cardboard homemade product hardens, we drill holes for the television cable.
We connect the transformer and insert the cable into the plug. 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 paper will quickly deteriorate 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;
- a simple pencil;
- screwdriver;
- soldering iron;
- plug
So, first, according to the drawing, we drill holes in the board: 
Then we transfer the drawing data to the board and drill in the appropriate fastening points. 
In the middle of each of the 37.5 cm sections, the insulation must be removed (as shown in the picture). 
We cut off 2 more copper wire sections 22 cm long and roughly divide them into 3 equal parts, again removing the insulation at the inflection points. 
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 completes the manufacturing process. We select a suitable location and install the device. 
So we have provided 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 do without cans and wire. Among other available means, copper tubes, aluminum disks and electrodes are often used. The advantage of the options we have listed is that you can quickly make such antennas for a TV with your own hands, without spending the whole evening on it.
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
Photo gallery (38 photos)
When relaxing outside the city, sometimes, in addition to enjoying nature and fresh air, you sometimes want to watch your favorite TV series or an important football match. Unlike the city, coverage of villages with a high-quality television signal leaves much to be desired. In this situation, even purchasing an antenna operating in a wide range of decimeter and meter waves does not guarantee high-quality images.
You can try to assemble the antenna yourself, because a country house is the best place for experiments.
The simplest antenna option
As can be seen in the photograph, the antenna is a simple wave receiver. To manufacture, you will need two tubes and a television cable, as well as knowledge of the signal transmission range of the nearest television tower.
Typically, reception is carried out at frequencies from 50 to 230 MHz, forming twelve channels. For each of them, tubes of certain sizes are used. To receive a signal at a frequency of 50 MHz, the distance between the outer edges of the tubes must be in the range of 271-276 cm. On channel 12, the same distance is 66 cm.
Information on the dependence of the length of the blanks on the receiving frequency, as well as circuits of homemade antennas, can be easily found on similar thematic Internet resources.
To make an antenna in makeshift conditions, we present you a list of what you can make an antenna from:
- Two tubes made of steel, aluminum or any other metal alloy with a diameter of 8 to 24 mm. They must be the same in diameter, material and wall thickness.
- Availability of a television broadcasting cable designed for a resistance of 75 Ohms. The length of the wire is cut at the connection point, taking into account a sagging margin of 50 cm.
- Textolite blank or getinax material (at least 5 mm thick).
- Fasteners for installing pipes on a holder.
- A bracket for a future antenna in the form of a metal pipe or corner. When installing the receiver at a low height, you can use a wooden stand.
- Soldering kit, silicone fluid to prevent oxidation and electrical tape.
Assembly principle
The workpiece, selected according to its length, is divided into two equal tubes, which are crimped on one side. The tubes are fixed at a distance of 6-7 cm from each other, and their ends are attached to the textolite blank with clamps. The resulting structure is secured with a rod in a vertical position.
To connect the cable, you need to lay a loop designed for a resistance of 75 ohms. The middle cores of the cable are stripped and twisted with the ends of the tubes flattened, and the braid is connected using copper wire. The connection of the rest of the loop and the cable going to the output to the television device follows the same principle.
The resulting loop and the remaining length of the cable should be securely fastened to a vertical stand to avoid interference. The required antenna installation height is adjusted locally by monitoring the signal change.
Beer can antenna
It is one of the most popular ideas for homemade television signal receivers. Instead of tubes, if there is no material, you can use simple beer cans.
To make such a television receiver, you will need the following parts:
- two beer cans of 0.5 l each;
- wooden or plastic blank 50 cm long;
- television cable RG-58;
- soldering iron, flux for soldering aluminum and solder;
To make a beer can receiver, follow these instructions:
- A hole 5-6 mm in diameter is drilled through the bottom of the jar, in its center.
- We lay the cable through the hole in the can and bring it out through the neck.
- The can is evenly fixed on the left side of the workpiece in a horizontal position.
- We bring the cable out through the neck to a distance of 5 cm, trim the insulation by 3 cm, remove the wire braid by 1.5 cm and solder it to the surface of the can.
- Solder the outgoing cable to the bottom of the second can.
- Attach the second can to the first at a minimum distance, using tape or other sticky material.
At the other end of the cable, a connector is installed to enter the TV. This antenna option is also suitable for digital broadcasting. If the TV supports a popular format (DVB T2), or there is a set-top box suitable for the old TV, then the signal can be received from the nearest relay tower. In this case, it is necessary to know the location of the repeater, in the direction in which the antenna should be directed to search for a signal.
This circuit is suitable for making an antenna designed to receive meter wave channels. Just use a liter container instead of half-liter jars.
If you don't know how to solder, there is another connection method. Two beer cans are attached at a minimum distance from the workpiece that holds the entire structure. At the end of the cable, carefully remove 3-5 cm of insulation. Twist the wire braid into a bundle and, shaping it into an eyelet, put it on a self-tapping screw.
In the same way, put the eyelet on the self-tapping screw of the second conductor. Then attach the wires, using self-tapping screws, to each can. From the point of view of long-term contact retention, soldering is much better than mechanical fastening. Before soldering, it is advisable to tinning the surface.
Although fastening with self-tapping screws is reliable, if moisture gets on the antenna, the contacts of the homemade device will oxidize, which will lead to signal loss.
Photo instructions on how to make an antenna
The indoor antenna allows you to receive terrestrial television, analogue and digital, at home. Analog television is gradually becoming a thing of the past, and digital television is becoming increasingly widespread.
Currently, there are two multiplexes with 10 channels each, work is underway to introduce a third multiplex with another 10 channels, some of them will be in HD quality. The first two multiplexes are free, but the third one may require a fee.
To connect to terrestrial digital television you will need:
- install a decimeter antenna, indoor or outdoor;
- purchase a special digital set-top box if your TV does not support receiving a DVB-T2 signal;
- connect the antenna and set-top box with a television cable.
Many companies provide services for connecting to terrestrial television. But in fact, it’s easy to make and set up an indoor antenna with your own hands. After that, you will be able to watch 20 channels in digital quality for free.
Different ways to make an antenna
You can make an indoor TV antenna with your own hands in different ways from different materials. First, make sure that your home is in a reliable reception area. This can be checked on the official website of digital terrestrial television. If you are far from the broadcast tower, then you will not be able to catch the signal with any antenna - neither purchased nor homemade. Purchase a passive or active external antenna. Although some of the instructions below on how to make an antenna with your own hands are also suitable for external use.
Let's consider one of the simplest methods - making it from a coaxial cable:
It’s also easy to make a TV antenna out of beer cans with your own hands. Moreover, it can be used as an indoor room, or it can be placed outside:
This design works great, although it does not look very aesthetically pleasing.
A zigzag antenna is more difficult to make with your own hands, but it has proven itself to be universal and reliable:
You can easily make an antenna out of a cardboard box with your own hands:
The beer can design has a more aesthetic option, the so-called butterfly. 4 rows of self-tapping screws are fixed on the board, and instead of transverse slats, pieces of copper wire bent in half are used. Thus, you get rows of copper “forks” sticking out in different directions. The rows are also connected to each other by wire, output to a cable, then you just need to connect it to the TV.
Connection and setup
Setting up an indoor antenna consists mainly of its correct installation:
- Secure it as close to the window as possible so that there are no obstacles (reinforced concrete walls, metal bars) in the signal path.
- Connect to your TV or digital set-top box.
- Now you just need to configure the programs: start an automatic search through digital channels.
- If a channel is found, but the screen says “no signal,” try installing the antenna in another location, and then tune the channels again by running auto search.
And finally, instructions on how to connect the cable to the TV connector:
These are some ways to make your own TV antenna. Theoretically, any piece of metal wire can serve as an antenna. But there is no guarantee that this will be enough to adjust the signal reception in your conditions. If you have ideas on how else you can design an effective indoor antenna yourself, leave your comments and tips below.
