DIY TV Antenna Element- Choosing What to Use.

If you want to build your own TV Antenna, you have to start with the Element. There are a few choices that the DIY builder has, and in this video I'm going to put a few of the more popular materials to the test. Will three wires twisted together create better gain? Watch until the end and see if there aren't a couple of surprise results!

[@JerseyRepresenting]

I watch all your videos at 1.75 speed, thank you for your efforts I'm learning a lot

[@mrhoptoit7835]

Glad you like them! Thanks for watching.

[@christophertant2025]

Great job on how you explain your theories and work out your problems. Then you maximize the potential in each step you take. Very awesome info. Thanks.

[@mrhoptoit7835]

I appreciate that! Thanks for watching my channel.

[@BigIdeasTech]

Good work. Very helpful!

[@mrhoptoit7835]

Thanks for watching

[@CrackerFL]

Another great and easy to understand! Silver tarnishes, and that's why it's not used. Who wants to constantly use silver polish on their antenna? Lol!

[@mrhoptoit7835]

I wonder how sterling silver would work? Im not going to find out, just wondering - LOL. Thanks.

[@bobbysalinas4845]

Great video, you have good technical skills, keep up the good work.

[@mrhoptoit7835]

Thanks, will do!

[@buzzsah]

Good test, fair, and well done. I hope to make a good 360 , omni Dir. Before I try, I need to finish up a few dozen other projects. lol

[@mrhoptoit7835]

Thanks Buzz. Yeah, I'm glad I'm retired . Who has time for a job? 😅

[@carykern6079]

Excellent!!

[@mrhoptoit7835]

Many thanks!

[@stevejohnson1321]

I was given a significant supply of 8-gauge aluminum. It isn't "better" than copper, but a heavy bird won't change the shape by landing on it. That's what I use for all my antenna elements.

[@mrhoptoit7835]

Free aluminum? Lucky you! Thanks for watching my channel.

[@davidbarker5957]

THANKS!

[@mrhoptoit7835]

You are welcome. Thanks for watching my channel.

[@victoryfirst2878]

I am surprised that bundling the ten gauge copper did not increase the signal gain. My personal thoughts is that nothing makes sense to what we would like the outcome to be. I most certainly like your logical way of thinking and doing things in your videos Sir.

[@mrhoptoit7835]

Yes, I was initially surprised with the results, too. Thanks for all your comments!

[@victoryfirst2878]

The results you got just make no logical sense. But live test results are the best way to figure it out which direction to follow. @@mrhoptoit7835

[@NikonJax]

It looks to me as if you are using a vertical placement for these tests but the hula hoop antenna is horizontal. Am I seeing it incorrectly and does it make a difference? Thanks! Love the videos :)

[@mrhoptoit7835]

I experiment with either horizontal or vertical antenna builds. The horizontal orientation works well for pulling in stations from multiple directions simultaneously, while the vertical orientation is more directional. Smaller hoops seem to work best in the vertical position. For this experiment, my only real concern was that each of the elements were the same length and size, and aimed in the same direction. That way the only variable would be the element itself. Thanks for watching!

[@jp51552]

When you used twisted wire, did you use the same number of twists per inch or foot for the different types of material?

[@mrhoptoit7835]

I used the drill to twist the wires until the twisted bundle tried to kink. That way I figured I got the maximum twists in it. Im not sure if the amount of twists would have a major impact on the results, but more testing may be needed.Thanks for the great question!

[@MotownBatman]

Danke` for the Vids! 40 year old Untreated ADHD makes learning a Pain in the Arse, This is a Huge help for many!

[@mrhoptoit7835]

Thanks! I appreciate the comment!

[@Swoliosis1]

I have a Clearstream 4V Antenna, which has a VHF dipole marketed toward "Hi-VHF" at a total length of around 24". Screws in with two screws. Works great for UHF... Of course, the only VHF channel I'm interested in is 6. Dipole way too small for that... I'm thinking of creating something specifically for 6.. and screwing it into the antenna... same spot where the dipole is now. Any worries with this approach? Think I've got a shot?

[@mrhoptoit7835]

In theory, that should work fine for you, as long as you are in good reception range for the dipole. Thanks for watching!

[@Swoliosis1]

@@mrhoptoit7835 My only concern is impedance... I'm a super beginner but trying to learn quickly.

[@denniskingsley1485]

1st time on your channel. Have you ever wrapped wire in a coil form ,form it into a circle?

[@mrhoptoit7835]

Welcome! Years ago I did a few experiments with TV antennas with coil elements but didn't have much success with them.

[@victoryfirst2878]

I have a brainstorm, how about silver solder coating the 10 gauge copper wire for the element and then twist 3 wires to see if that increased the signal gain. Just an idea Mr. Hop To It. What do you think Sir ??? v

[@mrhoptoit7835]

Interesting idea....

[@victoryfirst2878]

I hope you run with the idea Sir. @@mrhoptoit7835

[@benjaminsnyder6729]

Love the antenna I live about 45 for city country I pick up 10 channels

[@mrhoptoit7835]

Thanks for watching.

[@victoryfirst2878]

Mr. Hop To It, would 10 gauge copper wire that still has its insulation and then twisted work better ?? Just an idea Sir. What would you say fella ??

[@mrhoptoit7835]

I haven't tested that, but I doubt it would have any significant effect.

[@victoryfirst2878]

@@mrhoptoit7835 Would short perpendicular hairs 1/4 inch long made of copper on the outside of the tubing make a difference ?? How about coating the outside of the copper element with silver plating using electroplating ?? Just had these ideas floating around in my mind. Thank you so much for your time MHTI. Wish you health and wealth too.

[@mrhoptoit7835]

@victoryfirst2878 always thinking, aren't you? Interesting ideas but I don't believe whiskers would help much. As far as silver coating copper, I don't think there is enough of a potential gain to justify doing it.

[@victoryfirst2878]

@@mrhoptoit7835 Thank you for your honest answers.

[@UserA441]

I live in Romania where the signal is VERY poor. Do you think it would be best to use the 14 copper wire and an amplifier?

[@mrhoptoit7835]

You might try using an amplifier and a three 14 gauge twisted bundle for the element. Thanks for watching

[@UserA441]

@@mrhoptoit7835 Thank you and what shape it would be best?

[@mrhoptoit7835]

If your transmissions are uhf, then hoops work well. If they are vhf, a straight dipole may be best. Check out my other videos for a few different uhf antenna designs. Thanks.

[@UserA441]

@@mrhoptoit7835 Thank you very mutch

[@UserA441]

​@@mrhoptoit7835Thank you very mutch! I used 8 gauge coper wire and the double hoop with reflector an amplifier and a digutal dvb t2 tuner Its the best antenna ive ever made!

[@EMNM22]

You should also try using 50/50 or 60/40 solid core solder since it has lead and tin or silver in it. 🤔

[@mrhoptoit7835]

Thanks!

[@trentonterrill9343]

I'm not an expert with antennas but the diameter of the wire/tube changes the receiving bandwidth.

[@mrhoptoit7835]

Thanks for watching

[@spotdog]

I built a small loop antenna using the guidelines outlined in his test using three 14 gauge copper wires braided. I then tested this hoop vs A) My main rooftop antenna (Range Experts Long Range UHF/VHF) , B) my older small RCA Yagi antenna, C) a smaller "batwing" antenna purchased at Menards for $10, D) Rabbit Ears i purchased for $2 at Goodwill, and E) an amplified RCA Panel Antenna purchased at Walmart (3 years ago) for $39.99. I tested all outdoors in similar locations, indoors (except rooftop), and indoors amplified using a $15 ONN signal booster. The most channels received was 9 different signals (46 total channels) by the Range Experts and RCA Yagi antenna outdoors. For comparison, I used the same TV with a signal meter built in for all tests. The top scoring antenna(s) received 4 points, 2nd 3 points, 3rd 2 points and 4th 1 point for EACH channel I was able to bring in. 5th & 6th Place didn't receive any points, also antennas not picking up a viewable signal didn't receive a score. First observation, the signal booster on average helped about 5% but occasionally larger gains were found. With the more powerful small RCA Yagi the amplifier actually lowered signal on half the channels, increases were 2-4 percent. The largest gains for the amplifier were with the homemade copper loop and batwing. Overall, I found the cheap amplifier barely useful. Also along those lines was the RCA Amplified Panel which, along with the Rabbit ears, didn't have a top 4 finish in the tests. In all, with indoor and outdoor tests, there were 12 variations tested (RCA Amplified Panel, Batwing and Rabbit ears only tested indoors, rooftop only outdoors). The Rooftop was the clear winner, no surprise. Of the 9 channels, it had the highest or 2nd highest signal on 7 of the 9 channels scoring 24 points. Also Not surprisingly, the small RCA Yagi had the 2nd highest score used outside with 16 points. After that the small Yagi indoor amplified, the homemade braided copper outdoors and the homemade braided copper indoors amplified all scored the same, 9 points. Depending on location, the homemade copper had the highest score on 4 channels (2 when outdoors, 2 indoors). Small changes in location with the homemade copper made a big difference. Another surprise was the $10 batwing antenna www.menards.com/main/electrical/electronics/antennas/ultrapro-ultra-edge-passive-antenna/58676/p-7720120061004614-c-1454940301502.htm . It had the strongest signals (with amplifier) on two channels but couldn't pull in signals on 4 channels (same as rabbit ears and the amplified RCA panel). So what did I take away from all these tests (outside of the fact that I have too much time on my hands)? Mainly that the homemade braided copper loop antenna is a sold choice for an antenna that I made with parts I had laying around the house, excepting a purchase of a $2 transformer. It consistently picked up the 6 channels that are 30-40 miles away and picked up one UHF channel that is 44 miles away. This included a 20 point higher signal strength on two of the weaker channel signals for the Rooftop antenna. If you are looking for a easy to transport camping antenna, a homemade copper loop antenna is a sold choice. Pack a pole setup and a 25' RG6 coax cable and you should be able to move the antenna around to get a very good signal.

[@mrhoptoit7835]

Sounds like you ran a good, thorough test. Thanks for sharing your results,and thanks for watching my channel

[@buz375]

You need to talk more and say nothing

[@mrhoptoit7835]

Interesting opinion.

[@XwpisONOMA]

Good video! If the best material is 10 ga. copper wire, how about twisting together 2 or 3 strands of higher gauge copper wire? Are you going by total wire thickness or total resistance? Also, does Resistance have also something to do? Actually, can you elaborate what would be the perfect total antenna resistance to be used with a 300/75 Ω balun? I guess that would be as closer to 300 Ω, correct?

[@mrhoptoit7835]

In the video, I twisted three 10 gauge wires together and it didn't seem to increase gain. In general, I believe the total mass and surface area of the twisted wires are what increases the performance. 300Ω is perfect if you are using the normal store bought matching transformer. Thanks for watching!

[@XwpisONOMA]

Thank you! 😉👍