DIY TV antenna repair. Homemade television antenna: for DVB and analog signal - theory, types, manufacturing

Which antenna to choose for digital television? How are antennas different? How to supply power to an active antenna? Which antenna is better? These and other questions on the site

Hi all! Due to my line of work, I have to deal very closely with connecting and setting up antennas for digital terrestrial television.

Therefore, based on the experience gained, I have the opportunity to share how to choose an antenna for digital television and set up dvb-t2 - free 20 channels.

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Which antenna is suitable for DVB-T2 digital television

With the advent of digital terrestrial television, many people have questions related to the choice of antenna for DVB-T2. For example!

Can I use my old antenna, if I had one?
Is an antenna of the “Lattice” type, also known as “Polish”, suitable for this?
Do I need an antenna with or without an amplifier?
if there is a question about purchasing a new one?
Is the advertised “Key to Free TV” antenna necessary?

Let's first figure out what kind of antennas there are.

Antennas of the meter (MV) and decimeter (UHF) ranges are used to receive television signals. There are broadband antennas, this is a “hybrid” when elements of the MV and UHF bands are used in the antenna design.

These antennas are easy to distinguish from each other by size.

The MV range has longer elements. Everything is according to the name.

So in MV antennas the elements are approximately half a meter to one and a half meters in length.

And the elements of the UHF antenna are only about 15 to 40 cm long.

It is the UHF antenna that is needed for digital terrestrial television.

VHF Antenna

Example of a UHF antenna

Broadband antenna, MV and UHF ranges.

Array antenna

Broadband antenna "Hummingbird"

So - To receive digital terrestrial television you need a UHF antenna, i.e. antenna with short elements. Or broadband.

Now you can evaluate whether your old antenna is suitable for receiving television in the DVB -T2 format. The only question that remains open is its serviceability and efficiency in your area.

In addition to dividing by received ranges, antennas are also divided into...

Indoor and outdoor (External) - I think everything is clear with the application here.

And also active and passive - more on that a little later.

Well, a brief excursion into the difficult topic of terrestrial antennas has been carried out. Let's continue...

Features of television signal propagation

The distance over which the signal is transmitted in the UHF range does not have a large coverage area. It is much less than in the meter range.

For example:

If you have used a radio, you may have noticed that you cannot catch distant foreign radio stations in the FM or VHF bands, but only those nearby, local ones.
But on the other hand, you can catch a whole bunch of foreign ones in the CB or HF bands.

This is because medium and short waves, like meter ones, propagate over long distances, and ultrashort waves, like UHF, over short distances.

This disadvantage of the UHF range for digital TV is compensated by the location and number of television transmitters - by analogy with cell towers, there are many of them.

Also keep in mind that the television signal is perfectly reflected from objects encountered along the way.

This allows you to receive broadcasts when it is not possible to point the antenna towards the TV tower. Or there are obstacles to the direct passage of the signal.

Look around! Is it possible to receive a reflected signal?

So if you choose the right antenna and install it correctly, you will surely achieve success.

What else should you consider when choosing an antenna?

The conditions for receiving a television signal are very different in different places and these conditions must be taken into account when choosing an antenna.

Here are some factors that will determine which antenna you need to purchase and how to install it.

TV transmitter power and
Terrain - mountains, lowlands, plains.
Standing nearby and blocking the antenna towards the tower are tall, dense trees.
The presence of high-rise buildings and your location in relation to these buildings and the tower.
The floor you live on - the higher you are, the simpler the antenna you will need.
Possibility or impossibility of turning the antenna towards the transmitting tower.

Active and passive antennas - what is the difference?

Antennas of any type can be either active or passive.

Passive antennas are those that amplify the signal only due to their design, without the use of electronic amplifiers; such antennas are used in areas with a strong signal.

Active antenna - has an amplifier in its design; such an antenna needs to be connected to a power source.
The amplifier helps to increase the level of the received signal in areas of poor reception.

How to connect power to an active antenna amplifier, several ways

Antenna amplifiers are powered by 12 or 5 volts. But recently, more and more, manufacturers are focused on producing antennas with five-volt power supply.

And there is a reason for this! Such antennas are easier to connect for those who use a DVB-T2 set-top box.

Three connection methods

A) Use a special power supply with a separator that produces a voltage corresponding to your amplifier.

The purpose of a separator is to separate. It passes voltage to the antenna, but does not pass it to the TV socket. However, this does not interfere with the signal from the antenna amplifier entering the TV.

B) If a DVB-T2 set-top box is used. A voltage of 5 volts can be supplied directly from the set-top box. Moreover, for any amplifiers, both 5 and 12 volts.

This does not require any additional wire, power supply, etc. The voltage is 5 volts, from the antenna socket of the set-top box, directly through the antenna cable, it will go to the amplifier.

You just need to turn on this power directly from the set-top box menu. Go to the settings section and find the item “Antenna power ON-OFF”, select ON, and exit the menu (the names of these items may differ in different models of set-top boxes)

B) If you have an LCD TV with a built-in DVB-T2 tuner, then in addition to the method under letter A) you can do the following.

You will have to purchase a special adapter to power the amplifier from any USB port; first of all, consider the USB port of the LCD TV itself. But you can connect to any charger with a USB output

Which antenna to choose - let's look at examples

As you understand from all of the above, when choosing an antenna for yourself, you need to evaluate various factors.

A few examples:

Distance to the tower 5-15 km

You live in a city where there is a DVB-T2 signal transmitter. Or in a populated area, not far from the transmitter, 5-15 km.

Most likely, an indoor antenna, even the simplest one, will be suitable for you. Especially if you live above the first floor.

And being not far from the tower, even a simple piece of wire instead of an antenna may be enough.

Considering the prevalence of towers and a fairly large number of places with a reliable signal, scammers take advantage of this, offering various, essentially

Under the conditions described above, they will work well.

But keep in mind that the number of channels will not be more than that broadcast by the TV tower in your area! But not 100 or 200 as the advertisement promises.
Therefore, the question arises: is it necessary to shell out several hundred, or even thousands, for a regular indoor antenna from an advertisement?!

Here are several inexpensive, compact antenna options for conditions where there is a good signal.

Indoor antenna for places close to the tower.

Indoor antenna for places close to the tower. Another option

This option may work in slightly more difficult conditions than the previous two, especially the amplified version.

Indoor antenna - application features

The right place for an indoor antenna is not where it will look good and stand comfortably, this is where it will receive the signal well. And these two circumstances - “look” and “accept” - do not always coincide.

Because often the best, and sometimes the only place where you can catch a signal is a place at the window facing the TV tower. Take this into account!

To solve this problem, you can add a cable of the required length, and for some antennas (for example, those in the photo above) this is not difficult.

But there are indoor antennas that have a built-in power supply in their housing. They also have a power cord for connecting to an outlet. And of course a cable for connecting to a TV.

This may seem convenient, but unfortunately this is not always the case.
Often, the place where the antenna is capable of receiving a TV signal is not near the TV and outlet, but, for example, near a window.

And in this case, a short power cord will become an obstacle to placing the antenna in the right place. In addition to the cable, you will also have to pull an extension cord. Basically a lot of wires.

You live at a distance of about 25-30 km or more from the TV tower.

Of course, a lot depends on the power of the transmitter.

But in general, at a distance of 25 km, a small outdoor antenna is sufficient. Like, for example, those depicted at the very beginning of this post, we mean the UHF antenna or the broadband “Hummingbird”.

In my area, from a distance of 25 km in line of sight, a passive UHF antenna with an arm length of approximately 80 cm provides reliable reception without the need to raise the antenna above two meters from the ground.

You can also receive reception using a good active indoor antenna.

In some houses, even from the first floor, if there is a window towards the tower or the ability to receive a reflected signal from neighboring buildings.
A floor above the second significantly increases the likelihood of success.

There is a simple principle on how to determine the power of an antenna - the longer the antenna arm, the greater the coefficient of its own gain, and not due to the amplifier.

Antenna for difficult signal reception conditions

For example, the active antenna in the photo below, in our area, pulls out a signal from a distance of 60 km or more. It is successfully used in the most difficult places, in houses located in deep lowlands, its length is approximately 1.7 meters, but there are antennas up to 4 meters in length.

In addition to the length, in difficult conditions or at a great distance from the TV tower, the presence of an amplifier plays an important role, i.e. the antenna must be active.

There are options for powerful antennas, where instead of one boom, three are used at once, so the ability of the antenna to amplify the signal due to the design alone is greatly increased.

And in tandem with an amplifier, this antenna becomes a very powerful trap for a television signal.

But once you’re impressed with this antenna, don’t rush to run after it. It is only needed under really, really difficult reception conditions.

In most cases, other, much cheaper options are sufficient. In addition, if the signal in your area is already strong, then the amplifier in the antenna will only interfere.

This is exactly the case when porridge can be ruined with butter. An example of this is described below.

Polish antenna array for digital television

In some cases, the “Grid” antenna can work quite successfully when receiving digital television. Especially if you are not very close to the transmitting tower.

More than once, however, I came across a situation where, using their old antenna - Polyachka (Grid), people could not get a digital broadcast signal from it.

Either at all, or the signal periodically “fell off”; the picture crumbled into cubes, and there was freezing of the image and sound. One of the digital television packages could disappear, while the other was working normally.

The problem with these phenomena is over-amplification of the signal.

There is a way out, let's consider the options...

1) Sometimes it’s just enough to unplug the antenna’s power supply from the outlet and that’s it. But this does not always help and then more serious measures are needed.

2) Reduce the amplifier supply voltage using an adjustable power supply. Or supply power directly from the set-top box, bypassing the separator of the standard antenna power supply, by installing a regular plug.

3) Get to the amplifier board, the board that is on the antenna itself, and connect everything without an amplifier.

4) Throw away this old dilapidated antenna and buy a normal UHF antenna.

P.S. New type grille.

I hope this article will be useful to someone, leave your reviews, comments, and share your experience.

P.S. If you are purchasing a new antenna, but are not sure whether it will suit you, ask your local antenna dealers.

Sometimes they are quite knowledgeable about which antenna is best to take based on your place of residence.

And agree on the possibility, if it suddenly doesn’t work, to change it to a different type of antenna. At least in my store this is possible.

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 on-air television broadcasting.

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 us 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 the 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 home-made 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 stick with “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.

How to make an antenna for a TV with your own hands so that it is not inferior in quality to a purchased device is a question that interests many home craftsmen and TV enthusiasts. There are various ways to make an antenna yourself, from the simplest designs to devices that receive satellite signals.

This option is suitable for people who want to install a regular indoor antenna at home or in the country for viewing federal channels. Anyone can construct such a device; no special knowledge is required.

This is the most basic method, so you only need copper wire 70–90 cm, thickness 2–3 mm. An indoor antenna is made as follows:

Strip both ends of the copper wire.
Attach one end to the battery, and insert the other into the TV connector.

The signal will appear immediately, and from 1 to 5 channels will be available to the user. With this simple method you can make a home antenna in 5 minutes.

The most popular way to make an antenna with your own hands from scrap materials. To make this you will need beer cans. Experts say that it will take no more than an hour to assemble an antenna from beer cans.

You will need:

Connecting cable.
Several cans of beer.
Plug.
Screws in the amount of 2 pieces.
Screwdrivers.
Insulation tape or heat shrink tubing.
A wooden beam or metal pipe for attaching the antenna.

You can make a homemade antenna from tin cans according to the following scheme:

This is another easy option on how to make a TV antenna in a short time. The device picks up the signal well, providing high image quality.

All-wave antenna with amplifier

An all-wave antenna with an amplifier can be of different configurations. Its assembly takes more time than the first two options. But the advantage is that it is very powerful and receives all analog channels in excellent quality. One of the common options is the all-wave antenna of the “BUTTERFLY” shape.

Tools:

Board or plywood sheet, dimensions 550/70/5 mm.
Copper wire.
Connecting cable PC75.
Drill.
Soldering iron.
Plug.

Instructions:

The DIY TV antenna is ready for use.

UHF antenna

Homemade antennas that pick up a decimeter signal can be of a variety of configurations.

Option 1

The simplest option is considered it is relatively easy and simple to assemble.

You will need:

Plywood.
Cord.
Soldering iron.

Instructions:

Make a ring from the connecting cable, size 53 cm.
Cut another piece of cable to make a loop, size 17.5 cm.
You need to solder a loop to the ring and a cable that will be inserted into the screen.
Attach the structure to the plywood.
Point the assembled device towards the TV tower.

Thus, a UHF antenna is assembled with your own hands.

Option 2

Another possible method for making a TV antenna UHF band called "Eight".

Tools:

Wire (copper, aluminum).
Glue gun.
Cable.
Wire cutters.

Instructions:

This is another way you can make an antenna yourself.

This device's signal range can reach up to 490 MHz, this means that the picture quality will be very high. But for manufacturing you need to purchase a transformer.

You will need:

Transformer.
Foil.
Glue.
Roulette.
Cardboard.
Stapler.
Marker.

Instructions:

The device is ready for use.

DIY satellite dish

One of the most popular questions is, is it possible to make a satellite dish with your own hands? There are many videos on the Internet on how to make a dish for watching satellite television yourself.

This device can be made at home in two ways:

Sticking on the matrix.
Soldering mesh and wire.

The first manufacturing method is considered the most optimal and convenient. To do this, you need to make a drawing of the future device. The work must be approached very responsibly at this stage, all parameters must be calculated accurately, otherwise the output will be a device unsuitable for operation. The drawing draws a parabola, which is then transferred to a steel sheet. Its thickness should be 0.05 cm.

Stages of work

Using a welding machine, make a steel frame with a diameter of 9–10 cm. The steel rods are turned to the outside, and the bearing is welded to the center.
Install the resulting structure on a level place, and a pipe is attached to the installed bearing, then a knife is installed.
Then the frame is filled with concrete and dried for 5 days.

At the final stage, it is necessary to glue the antenna; this can be done in different ways. To make work easier, it is recommended divide the structure into 8 parts. For gluing, fiberglass or epoxy primer is used.

Apply machine oil to the dry concrete form and insert the pipe into the washer. Afterwards, the homemade plate is covered with resin and the fiberglass is glued. The manufacturing process of the device is completed. Read also,.

How to make an antenna for a TV for reception in the UHF range with your own hands? This question is asked by those who like to do everything with their own hands. Both at home and in the country, the antenna will allow you to watch digital TV without having to buy a factory-made antenna.

Antenna for digital TV

Digital terrestrial television is the transmission of a television signal using digital encoding, which ensures its delivery to the receiving device with minimal losses. Accordingly, the TV must support a technology called DVB-T2. For reliable reception you need a special antenna, which you can buy or you can make yourself.

There are currently a large number of methods for making antennas with your own hands. Let's look at the simplest and most common ones.

From beer cans

A simple decimeter indoor TV antenna can be made from beer cans.

To manufacture an all-wave homemade antenna of this design, you will need the following materials, components and tools:

2 tin cans of 750 or 1000 ml;
coaxial television cable (RK75);
antenna plug;
electrical tape or tape;
metal screws;
a polypropylene pipe or wooden stick for attaching cans to it;
screwdriver;
wire cutters;
needle file;
ruler.

TV antenna made from beer cans

How to make an antenna from beer cans? The manufacturing algorithm is as follows:

using a screwdriver, make 1 hole in the neck of each can, making sure that it does not become deformed;
screw the screws into these holes using a screwdriver;
clean the ends of the cable with a knife, not forgetting to remove the varnish from the copper wire with a file;
screw the wire and cable braid twisted into a ring to the self-tapping screws (it will be more reliable if it is welded or soldered, but this is only if you have the appropriate tool);
Securely secure the cans to a pipe or stick using electrical tape or scotch tape for these purposes, maintaining the distance between the cans (it has long been established experimentally, and this size is 7.5 cm);
Attach a plug to the other end of the cable, which will connect the cable to the receiving device.
place the antenna in the required place, i.e. where signal reception will be ideal.

The most painstaking work is preparing the RK75 cable. One end must be cleaned from the top shell at a distance of 10-12 cm with a knife without damaging the copper braid. Next, you need to twist this braid into a pigtail and remove the aluminum screen. After this, cut off the polyethylene sheath by 6-7 cm and expose the central core. The resulting copper strand and bare core are then attached to the cans.

The second end of the cable must also be cleaned and a plug consisting of 2 halves must be connected to it. The central core of the cable passes through the hole in one half of the plug, and the braid is connected to the plug body. Both halves are screwed on one another, and you get a reliable device for connecting to the antenna socket of the TV.

If you plan to place an antenna made from tin cans outdoors, then it must be reliably protected from external weather influences. Plastic bottles are suitable; you need to cut off the neck and bottom and place the antenna elements in them. In such conditions, it will reliably carry out the functions assigned to it.

This is the simplest broadband antenna, made from scrap materials without the use of special tools, and it is made quickly. You can make it yourself and install it in 20-30 minutes. You can make sure that your homemade antenna receives most satellite television channels, including TVB-T2. At a minimum, it receives up to 15 channels.

Figure 8

A home satellite dish can be in the shape of a figure eight. It can also be used for outdoor installation. Works without an amplifier.

Figure 8 TV antenna

To make a figure eight antenna you will need:

copper or aluminum wire Ø 3-5 mm;
coaxial television cable RK75 (can be replaced with a densely braided cable with a resistance of 50 Ohms);
antenna F-plug;
screwdriver;
knife or scalpel;
glue gun;
soldering iron;
solder;
flux paste;
ruler;
wire cutters;
pliers;
needle file;
a solid base (a plastic lid will do).

The manufacturing procedure is as follows:

cut 2 pieces of wire, 56 cm each;
at each end, after exposing the central core, make a loop (approximately 1 cm on each side will be spent on making it);
bend the wire into a square using pliers, connecting the loops;
put the antenna plug on one side of the coaxial cable, first carefully twisting the braid and exposing the central core;
Solder the second side of the cable to 2 squares as follows: the central core to one square, and the braid to the other at a distance of 2 cm;
place everything in the lid and fill it with glue.

The picture shows how to do this correctly.

Making a figure eight antenna

Such an antenna can be placed anywhere, and this is its main advantage; you just need to choose the right cable dimensions. You need to know that you don't need an amplifier to operate it. It makes sense to install it on the antenna, with a cable that has a significant length to compensate for losses.

From a cardboard box

A simple satellite antenna for TVB-T2 is made using a cardboard box. To make it you will need:

cardboard box (can be used as a shoe box);
foil;
antenna F-plug;
screwdriver;
knife or scalpel;
glue;
ruler or tape measure;
wire cutters;
needle file

Such a simple homemade indoor antenna will provide high-quality TVB-T2 reception.

Butterfly

A DIY all-wave television antenna can be like a butterfly. Such an antenna is no different from a regular decimeter antenna. It is easier to convert a simple array-type antenna, which can be bought at a low price in a retail chain, into a digital one that will receive satellite (T2) channels. To make it yourself you will need the following materials, components and tools:

board or plywood measuring 550x70x5 mm;
copper wire with a central core Ø 4 mm;
metal screws;
coaxial television cable RK75;
antenna F-plug;
screwdriver;
knife or scalpel;
soldering iron;
solder;
flux paste;
ruler or tape measure;
wire cutters;
pencil.

TV antenna in the form of a butterfly

Manufacturing stages:

Mark the board as shown in the figure:

Board for antenna in the shape of a butterfly

To convert measurements in inches to cm, remember that 1 inch equals 2.5 cm.

cut 8 wires 37.5 cm long;
strip the middle of each wire by 2 cm;
bend each wire in a V shape so that the distance between the wires is 7.5 cm;
cut 2 wires 22 cm long;
strip these 2 wires where they are attached to the board or plywood;
assemble all the wires using self-tapping screws, as shown in the figure;

Making a butterfly antenna

Connect the antenna to the cable using a special plug.

Connecting the antenna plug to the cable

From coaxial cable

There is a DIY UHF antenna made from coaxial cable. To make such a simple antenna you will need:

coaxial cable RK75;
plexiglass or plywood;
matching device;
antenna plug;
pliers;
wire cutters;
scotch;
ruler;
pencil.

TV antenna made from coaxial cable

Manufacturing stages:

cut a piece of cable 530 mm long;
strip the pieces of cable from both sides, exposing the central core and connecting the braid into a pigtail;
twist it into a ring (possibly in the form of a diamond) and secure it to a piece of plexiglass or plywood with tape, leaving a distance between the ends of the cable of approximately 2 cm;
Make a horseshoe-shaped matching device from a piece of coaxial cable 175 cm long. To do this, you need to strip the ends of the cable in the same way as when making a ring;
prepare the antenna cable. Place the plug on one side and strip the other side until the central core and braid are exposed;
align the ends of the ring wire with the matching device and the cable going to the antenna, which will then be connected to the television receiver using a plug.

Homemade antenna. Video

A visual aid on how to make a homemade antenna for digital TV is presented in this video.

It’s easy to make DIY antennas for receiving a digital signal. In terms of reception quality, they are no worse than factory antennas with an amplifier, and their cost is much lower. They can be used in apartments, private houses and country houses. Anyone can make them from scrap materials, you just have to delve into the manufacturing technology.

Gradually, everyone is abandoning analogue television, giving preference to digital broadcasting. The largest providers are also restructuring to work with a newer, modern format. The era of analog TV is gradually coming to an end.

In order for previously installed home antenna devices to complete their resource, it is enough to connect a DVB-T receiver to the TV, as a result, digital signals will be received correctly.

You can make an antenna for digital television with your own hands, so there is absolutely no need to go to the store and spend extra money. You don’t need any special skills or equipment; you can create the necessary design using available tools.

Now we will answer in detail the question of how to make an antenna for digital TV. We will carefully analyze the process, select the optimal material, and also carry out all the necessary calculations. Nevertheless, first we will deal with the theoretical nuances.

Regardless of the signal format, it is transmitted from the tower emitters. Reception of the wave channel is provided by the antenna device. To receive a digital signal, you will need a sinusoidal device with the highest possible frequency, which is measured in MHz.

When an electromagnetic wave passes through the surface of the receiving beams of the antenna, a V-voltage is induced in it. Each wave contributes to the formation of a different potential, marking it with its characteristic sign.

Under the influence of an induced voltage, an electrical current flows in a closed receiving circuit with resistance R. It is gradually growing. Processing is carried out by the TV circuit, the picture is displayed on the monitor, and the sound is broadcast through the speakers.

It won't work with a regular indoor antenna. Firstly, you will need an intermediate link that will provide decoding of information - a DVB-T receiver. Secondly, you should use a UHF antenna or Turkin antenna for DVB.

Antenna figure eight

How to make such an antenna with your own hands? First you need to prepare the material. Then carry out the appropriate calculations. At the final stage, assemble the structure and connect it to the TV. Nothing complicated. Every user can cope with this task.

Materials for antenna assembly

Making an antenna for digital television is not difficult. The list of materials used will vary depending on the type of antenna device. For example, if you wish, you can make it even from the most ordinary beer cans.

To produce a good and simple TV antenna for digital channels, you will need copper or aluminum wire with a thickness of 2 to 5 millimeters. In general, it will take only 1 hour to create such a design. You also need to use:

handset;
corner;
copper or aluminum strip.

You will definitely need a tool that will allow you to bend the frames to the required shape. To bend the wire, use a hammer after securing the material in a vice.

You can make your own antenna not only from wire, but also from cable (coaxial). Choose a plug that matches the connector on your TV. Naturally, you also need to fix the structure; the bracket is made from scrap materials.

As for the cable, it must be taken with a resistance in the range of 50-75 Ohms. Particular attention should be paid to insulation if the device will be placed outdoors.

The specifics of fastening are determined in accordance with where the structure will be located. For example, residents of multi-storey buildings will be able to make their own antenna for digital TV and hang it like a home antenna, i.e. on the curtains. To do this, you will need large pins that will serve as a fastening element.

However, if you want to place the created device on the roof, then you need to make a bracket. To do this you will need a file, a soldering iron and a needle file.

We've sorted out the spiral antenna, but you can also make another design - a double square. It is made from copper, brass or aluminum tubes. Wire 3-6 mm thick is less commonly used. In general, the choice of material is determined in accordance with the MF band and the number of channels.

Double square - two frames that are connected by an upper and lower arrow. The small frame is a vibrator, and the large one is a reflector. To achieve maximum gain, increase the number of frames to three. The third square is the director.

The mast must be made of wood. At least its upper part. Please note that it should start at a distance of one and a half meters from the level of the frames.

So, step by step instructions:

Take the coaxial cable and strip it from both ends.
One end will be attached to the antenna, the wire should stick out 2 cm.
The screen and braid are twisted into a bundle.
We get two conductors.
Solder the plug to the second edge of the cable. A distance of 1 cm is sufficient. If you use a crimped metal plug, you can skip further steps.
Tin and make 2 more conductors.
Wipe the solder joints of the plug with alcohol.
Place the plastic part of the plug onto the wire.
A single core is soldered to the central input of the plug.
A multi-core harness is soldered to the side entrance of the plug.
Crimp the grip around the insulation.
Screw on the plastic tip or fill it with glue.

Calculation

To set up digital television reception, it is absolutely not necessary to calculate the wavelength. Just try to make a broadband design. As a result, you will be able to receive the maximum number of signals. To achieve this result, add additional elements to the T2 antenna with your own hands. It is about them that will be discussed further.

The calculation of an antenna for digital TV is based on determining the signal transmission wave. Divide this value by 4 to get the required side of the square. To determine the distance between the two components of the device, make the outer sides of the rhombuses a little longer, therefore, the inner sides, on the contrary, should be shorter.

If you don’t want to calculate the dimensions of the antenna yourself, use ready-made drawings:

The inner side of the rectangle is 13 cm.
The outer side of the rectangle is 14 cm.

The difference is the distance between the squares; by the way, they should not be connected under any circumstances; the extreme sections provide the necessary maneuver for folding the loop. It is to this that the coaxial antenna wire is attached.

Antenna manufacturing

If we calculate the entire length, we will end up with a value of 112 centimeters. Cut the wire or any other material that you plan to use, take a ruler and pliers, and begin to bend the structure. The angle should be 90 degrees. If the sides do not match in length, it’s okay, a small error is acceptable.

Initial data for making an antenna for digital TV:

The first element is 13 centimeters and 1 centimeter per loop, by the way, it can be bent right away.
Two elements of 14 centimeters each.
Two are 13 centimeters each, but there must be a turn in the opposite direction; here a bend is created to another square.
Two more sections of 14 centimeters each.
The last one is identical to the first one.

The antenna frame for digital TV is ready. If you did everything correctly, then between the 2 halves there is a gap of several centimeters in the middle. Naturally, there may be minor differences. After this, the loops and bend areas must be cleaned until no metal is visible. Processing is carried out with fine-grain sandpaper. We connect the loops and crimp them with pliers to fix their position.

The design itself is ready, but in order for the antenna made for T2 to function correctly, the cable must be processed. We start with double-sided stripping of the wire. One edge will connect directly to the antenna. You need to strip the cable in this area so that the cord sticks out about two centimeters. If you get a little more, you can simply cut off the rest later.

We twist the screen and cable braid into a bundle, as a result we get 2 conductors - a central core and a twisted element of several braided wires. All this needs to be tinned.

Using a soldering station, solder the plug to the second edge of the cable. A centimeter length is quite enough, small errors are acceptable. According to the principle described earlier, you need to make a pair of conductors and tin them.

The plug is placed in those areas where soldering will be carried out in the future; first wipe it with alcohol or a special solvent. Then, using a file or emery, we clean it. Place the plastic plug element onto the cord. Now start soldering. Attach a core to the central entrance, and a multi-core braid to the side entrance. Crimp the grip around the insulation.

Screw on the plastic tip; some experts even fill it with glue or a special sealant to strengthen the fixation. While the fixing base is still wet, quickly assemble the plug by screwing on the plastic part, and then remove excess glue or sealant. As a result, it will be possible to maximize the service life of the plug. The homemade product has been created, it's time to connect it.

Connection

Connect the cable and the frame of the homemade DVB T2 antenna. It is absolutely not necessary to bind to any specific channel, so solder the cord in the middle. As a result, a broadband antenna will be created that will receive the maximum number of TV channels. Solder the second split end of the wire to the other two sides again in the middle, previously you stripped them and also tinned them. To extend the reception range, do not solder the cable from the bottom.

When the structure is assembled, it must be checked. We connect the tuner and turn on the TV. If digital television receives, for example, you managed to set up 20 channels, you need to finally complete the assembly. Fill the areas where soldering was carried out with sealant.

However, if there are very few active channels or there is some interference, then you need to find a place where there will be an optimal signal. If there are no positive changes, change the antenna cable. To simplify the testing process as much as possible, use telephone wire, it is quite cheap. Solder the plug and frames to it. If the signal quality has improved, then the problem is really in the cable. will broadcast channels even if noodles are used, but as practice shows, its service life is extremely limited.

To protect the cable connection areas and antenna frames from precipitation and other atmospheric influences, wrap the solder joints with ordinary insulating tape. However, this is not a permanent solution. A more effective option is to install heat-shrinkable tubing on the soldering areas, which will ensure proper insulation.

An alternative option with maximum reliability is glue or sealant. The fact is that these substances do not conduct current. Be sure to make a housing for the antenna; an ordinary plastic cover will do for this. If necessary, make indentations so that the frame “settles down”; do not forget about the cord outlet. Pour in the sealant and wait for it to dry. Everything is ready, we connect the equipment and enjoy digital TV.

Double or triple square for weaker signal

The TV antenna is used in villages, dachas and in areas that are located on the border of the coverage area of television towers. The device allows you to receive even a very weak signal. If you do everything correctly, the power of the TV signal will increase noticeably.

A double or triple square has only one drawback - you need to direct the structure to the signal source with maximum accuracy. Therefore, if you do not know where exactly the tower is, difficulties will arise.

The number of frames determines the signal quality. Therefore, if you are outside the coverage area, you don’t have to limit yourself to 2-3 frames, you can make 5. Do not open the antenna with varnish or paint it. This negatively affects the quality of signal reception.

What are the strengths of the design? First of all, the quality of reception. Even if you are far from the repeater, the signal will be clear. However, it will be possible to achieve a positive result only if the user correctly determines the dimensions of the frames and matching device.

Materials

To make an antenna for digital TV yourself, you need to prepare materials that will later be used to make the structure. The antenna is made from metal tubes or wire:

1-5 meter channel - copper, brass, aluminum tubes 10-20 millimeters thick;
6-12 meter channel channel - copper, brass, aluminum tubes 8-15 millimeters thick;
decimeter range - copper, brass wire with a thickness of 3 to 5 millimeters.

Double square - 2 frames that are connected by a pair of arrows (upper and lower). The smallest frame is the so-called vibrator, and the largest is the reflector. A device with three frames will have a higher TV signal gain. The third square is usually called the director.

Instructions for creating a T2 antenna:

The top arrow (made of metal) must connect the middles of all frames.
The lower boom is made using electrically insulating materials: wood, textolite.
Arrange all the frames so that their centers are on the same line.
The direct line should be sent to the repeater.
The vibrator must be open circuit. Its edges are fixed to a PCB plate.
If you made frames from metal tubes, then the edges should be flattened and holes should be made in them to fix the lower boom.
The mast must be made of wood, or at least its upper part.

Size calculation

The calculation of an antenna for digital TV will directly depend on the range - meter or decimeter. The dimensions of the antenna with three frames are characterized by a large distance between the ends of the vibrator. You need to leave more distance - 50 millimeters.

The tables show the dimensions of two-element loop antennas. Meter range:

Channel numbers

UHF:

Size of three-element antennas. Meter range:

Channel numbers

UHF:

Vibrator connection

Considering the fact that the frame is symmetrical, and the connection is made to an asymmetrical antenna cable, you need to use a matching device. The best option is a short-circuited loop. It is made from pieces of coaxial cable. The left segment is a feeder, and the right one is usually called a train. In the place where the feeder and cable will be connected, we fix the cable, which is subsequently connected to the TV.

What should be the length of these segments? The calculation is carried out in accordance with the wavelength of the received TV signal.

At one end you need to cut the cable, removing the aluminum screen. The braid must be twisted into a tight rope. We cut off the central conductor down to the insulation. The feeder also needs to be cut. Remove the screen, made of aluminum, and then twist the braid. However, we leave the central conductor.

The further assembly process is carried out as follows:

Solder the cable braid and feeder conductor to the left edge of the vibrator.
The feeder braid needs to be soldered to the right edge of the vibrator.
A metal jumper connects the cable braid to the lower end of the feeder. These elements can also be fastened with metal wire. The main thing is that there is proper contact with the braid.
The braid determines not only the electrical connection, but also the distance between the sections of the matching device.
If there is no metal wire and jumper, then twist the braided lower part of the cable into a bundle, after first removing the screen and removing the insulation. To ensure proper contact, you need to solder the wire harnesses using solder that melts easily.
The cable pieces should be parallel to each other. Distance – 50 millimeters (small error is acceptable). To secure the distance, special clamps made of electrical insulating materials are used. You can also attach the matching device to the textolite plate.
The cable that is inserted into the TV socket should be soldered to the feeder (to the bottom). The braids are interconnected, like the central conductors.

To reduce the number of connecting elements, the feeder and cable connected to the TV can be made one. Remove the insulation where the feeder ends. This is done in order to install the jumper.

A matching device is a mandatory element that helps prevent interference. It will be especially useful if the signal transmitter (TV tower) is located at a great distance.

Butterfly antenna

The TV antenna can also be made in the shape of a butterfly. Such a device will be in no way inferior to a decimeter antenna. There is absolutely no need to do everything from scratch. It is much easier to convert a regular grille into a digital one for T2 tuning. To make it yourself, follow these simple instructions:

Take a small board that will become the basis of the future antenna.
Cut 8 wires, each 37.5 centimeters long.
The middle of all wires must be stripped about 2 centimeters.
Bend the wires until they form a V shape. The distance between the wires should be 7.5 centimeters.
Cut 2 more wires, each of them should be 22 centimeters long.
Strip the wires where they will be attached to the antenna base (board).
Place the screws along the base of the antenna, and then connect the V-shaped elements with two wires.
Connect the antenna and cable using the special plug.

Every user can create such a device. You don't have to buy anything. The antenna is made from improvised materials.

From coaxial cable

You can actually make a TV antenna manually using a cable:

Cut approximately 530 millimeters of cable.
Strip the cable on both sides, fastening the braid into a bundle and exposing the central core.
Twist the cable into a ring or diamond shape and secure it with tape to the plywood. The distance between the cable rings should be 2 centimeters.
Cut a piece of coaxial cable - 175 centimeters. Make a horseshoe-shaped matching device out of it. To do this, you need to strip the wire from both ends, as you did in the process of making rings.
Prepare the antenna cable. The plug is put on one side, and the other is stripped. It is necessary to remove the central core and braid.
Align the ring and matching device with the antenna cable.

As a base, you can use not only plywood, but also plexiglass.

Antenna made from tin cans

To make a simple TV antenna for digital channels you will need a cable, a couple of aluminum or tin cans, and a small plastic pipe. A wooden plank can also be used as a base.

Remember that the antenna can only be created from aluminum or tin cans. Plastic or glass will not work. The main requirement is smooth, not ribbed, internal walls. Anyone can install such a device with their own hands in just a few minutes.

Rinse well and then dry the jars.
The end of the coaxial cable must be cut.
Remove the insulation from the center core.
Twist the braid.
Once you have 2 wires, attach them to the jars.
If you have a soldering iron on hand, solder the conductors. They can also be secured with self-tapping screws with flat heads. Twist a loop at the ends of the conductors, and insert a self-tapping screw with a washer into it, then secure it to the can.
Pre-clean the metal, you need to take fine-grained sandpaper and remove plaque, as well as paint.
Attach the jars to a plastic pipe or wooden strip.
The distance is calculated individually.
Connect the cable to the TV and try tuning the channels.

This is an emergency solution to the problem. Don’t be under any illusions; at best, several channels will be available in good quality. The final result directly depends on how far away the TV tower is, how “clean” the corridor is, and also how well the antenna is made.

Now you know how to make an antenna using improvised means.