How to Make a Digital TV Antenna -- Complete, Detailed Instructions!

[@temaletilevaitaimann-tuaki4794]

Fantastic presentation. I use to be radiio electronics tradesperson in the 70s. I could have used you as my tutor then. Kudos very clear and detailed demo. Ty from New Zealand,

[@markh1938]

Works like a champ, didn’t use reflectors. Had 17 channels with wire out window, got 34 now, took me 40 minutes and it was done. Well done sir. Works as advertised

[@doityourselfstan]

Awesome! Thank you!

[@johnjkizer6399]

I made this and it actually works very good , it out performed any indoor antenna I’ve ever purchased, except I use a 2x4 that were 25” long instead of 2 pieces of furing strips, regardless where I placed it in my room the signal was perfect. try it u will be amazed. Peace and God bless all

[@doityourselfstan]

I'm glad the video was helpful! Thank you!

[@johnjkizer6399]

@@doityourselfstan thanks and God bless

[@oodawg]

This is a really good design. Works better than the store bought ones. I used 10 gauge copper wire and 2x4s. I made 2 I’m planning on using one pointed to the south and one pointed north west in the attic. You can’t use two at the same time cause of interference. I’ll use a switch splitter at the TV. The length of both coaxial from the antennas to switch splitter have to be the same. At least that’s my plan. Thank you very much for making this video.

[@jeffreyjones6409]

Over the years I have built a half dozen or so of this style antenna. They do work well for what they are. I even built an "outdoor" model out of heavier materials and it is holding up nicely. If you have the stuff lying around give it a try, they are fun to build and like I stated earlier they do work well.

[@denniscrow398]

Can u share your outdoor model with me?

[@pcaetano7527]

might be one of the best how to videos for a tv antenna.

[@katrenco]

EXCELLENT TUTORIAL, concise, well-explained, great camera work on the close-ups, VERY NICELY DONE! Thanks for a great DIY! This project made its way to the top 3 on my "gotta-do-this" list!

[@doityourselfstan]

Thank you for your kind words! It was one of my favorite projects!

[@jeffmccray8883]

Very nice video my friend! Thanks for sharing!

[@doityourselfstan]

Thank you for watching!

[@buddywebster4831]

Looks good. I'm gonna try this out, but I could have used a link to a parts list and schematic of the framing and pilot holes.

[@kensmith5694]

Yes this is a good instructional video and a reasonably good antenna design. A few improvements: Your reflector is too close to the working elements, You can prove this for your self with a TV that has the signal meter function. If you detect the reflectors and move them back, you should see the signal increase slightly. If you put a gap between the upper and lower reflector, you can use long bolts, nuts and wingnuts to connect the balun on the back side. On the middle screws it works a little better if you pass the wire on the inside sides of those screws so that the spring of the wire wants to hold it under the screws. Your element to element spacing looks a little short. Normally the distance between each "V" element is made to be about the same as the width of the finished antenna elements.

[@victoryfirst2878]

Nice antenna fella. Have a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year too. Peace vf

[@doityourselfstan]

Thank you for watching!

[@tonexlets2183]

thanks!!! I got the highest score from my college assigment😁

[@russellborrego1689]

Nice video. Wish I had seen this a few years ago, definitely would've softened my learning curve. SERIOUS kudos too for making the effort to sexy it up a bit. So many builders just grab a slab of wood from the alley behind their house, the ugliness alone of the finished piece must put off potential builders.

[@doityourselfstan]

I appreciate your comments! I like my projects to look nice -- probably could have done even a better job here.

[@kellydjohnson]

I wonder how many TV station would have been received with the FM antenna. I have a similar dipole made out of lamp cord and get 34.

[@dragan3290]

This is a nice set-up! I subbed and liked 👍 cheers from Australia ❤

[@oodawg]

I’m thinking to auto program that, switch to one antenna auto program those channels then write them down. Auto program the 2nd antenna then manually add the other channels. That’s easier said than done.

[@doityourselfstan]

I'd be interested to know how that worked. I might do the same.

[@BANG942]

Nice job this is a beautiful Antenna

[@doityourselfstan]

Many thanks!

[@darrylowens59]

Love the reflectors made from grill mates (hope I got that right)

[@Manix81]

I like it. Thinking of distressing the wood making it look like an antique.

[@doityourselfstan]

That would be an awesome look!

[@RickPaquin]

3 comments. Wood has impedence. For better results suggest mounting the elements and all connections on plastic (which is an insulator) vs. wood because the signal will conduct through the wood from screw to screws thus messing up the impedance and lowering your signal level. Also note the spacing between the reflector and the elements. For maximum UHF gain a spacing of 4 inches is required so if you mount the reflector back much further, it will perform better. Also, and this is a nitpik. There is no such thing as a "digital" antenna so the title is misleading. It's an antenna.

[@markking3755]

yes i agree with Rick Paquin on what he said you would use over useing wood

[@henrydominguez1357]

Excelente, la mejor construcción de antena que he visto. Lo felicito. La haré de una ya que vivo a una distancia de 40 kilómetros de las antenas repetidoras

[@doityourselfstan]

¡Muchas gracias!

[@victoryfirst2878]

Would you be able to make a killer super double antenna all copper construction ?? That would work for long distance or should I say Deep Fringe antenna. Look forward to see what you come up with fella.

[@ramanvohra62]

Very high gain FM antenna ! Make a long range outdoor VHF Log Periodic Antenna ! Rhombic Antenna made up of wires and set up outside or on roof top has a very very long range ! I had been enjoying world wide reception 45 years back ! May try !

[@panagdimi]

The FM dipole antenna is tuned for frequencies between 30 and 110 Mhz. What do you mean, it helps bring in the PBS stations. Are we talking radio or television?! 🤔

[@dragan3290]

Pbs is public broadcasting stations. He says TV!

[@jimnjele.bean-dayone3505]

Love the antenna sir!! Where did you get the disposable grill covers? Wait I found them...WalMart. Please and Thank You

[@prathamshanbhag424]

Hi Stan, That was such a clear video. Thank you. The wires that you ran crisscross and on the outside of the 6 screws, were those for pulling in UHF signals? And the V shaped wires, are they for VHF signals? Mike Thompson had a similar question I think.

[@RickPaquin]

This is a UHF design, not at all VHF. If you need VHF, get those ugly big rabbit ears. VHF requires large antennas.

[@RavenVargas27]

A beautiful antenna love the design and the way it's made. Anyone looking for a Balan aka UHF VHF matching transformer 15:12 Walmart sells them 10 for about $7. Thank you kind sir this is very helpful

[@mikethompson6104]

Does the main antenna bring in both VHF and UHF signals?

[@doityourselfstan]

I found I had to attach the FM antenna wire to bring in UHF channels.

[@Blodhelm]

Nice. Thank you.

[@doityourselfstan]

Thank you! I'm glad you found it helpful. I've got two of these hooked up in my attic.

[@Blu-Man]

@@doityourselfstan hello are you still around in 2021 want to ask you a question

[@toddlee2571]

It's a nice looking tabletop antenna with a fairly high WAF.

[@debbiewegner3948]

Does the reflector have to be mesh? Can you use a steam tray or something similar?

[@mariemartell7308]

UPDATE: the next day I had to REMOVE the "reflector" in order to get a good signal. I don't know what the solution is, but like you, I"m wondering about why mesh would be better than a solid reflector. I guess we'll just have to experiment. *********************** ORIGINAL POST: I made this style of antenna without any reflectors back in 2008 when TV stations switched from analog to digital broadcasting. It worked fine with my old CRT TV and converter box but hasn't been working as well since I recently hooked it up to a newer, digital television. After reading your question I decided to experiment, covering a sheet of cardboard with heavy duty aluminum foil and standing it upright about two inches behind the antenna. It's not fancy, but it made a BIG difference!

[@Raymonkey77]

Thanks for the video post. I haven't studied antennas yet and managed to get my ham radio license despite my lack of antenna theory. I waa given one of those cheap 150 mile yagi style amplified antennas that has an integrated rotor. I'm considering adding more elements to it along with a used direct tv parabolic dish for a reflector to see if i can improve the quality of the channels i currently receive along with possibly adding a few i couldn't receive before. Ray. KG5ZEF and 73

[@RickPaquin]

Throw it out. They are made by chinese manufacturers who have no antenna engineering talent whatsoever and just threw some cheap metal together, added a cheap rotator and cheap amp. A hunk of wire with an amp will work almost as well. Build a 2 or 4 bay style, mount everything on plastic because wood has an improper impedance and make darn sure you have a reflector sitting back 4 or 4.5" and you'll have one powerful antenna. Just use proper antenna design for bowtie length and spacing, which can be found online. And yes, with proper spacing it will be much larger than this indoor antenna.

[@mitimiki7348]

Just curious if there is any reason I can't just use a 2x4 instead of the two firing strips? Looks like a fun project to do with my son who probably doesn't even know TV is free...

[@doityourselfstan]

I would think a 2x4 would probably work just as well as furring strips. I was just trying to go after the least costly option.

[@RickPaquin]

If you use wood, use plastic mounts on top of the wood (either glue the plastic to the wood or screw it separately) so that your signal elements and connections screw ONLY into the plastic. Don't allow the element mounting screws to go into the wood at all. Wood is a conductor and will actually lower your signal. 2x4's are good because it also allow you to mount the reflector 4" back from the elements, which provides better gain. The reflector can be mounted directly to the 2x4, but the signal elements need to be mounted only on plastic.

[@frankyvee1]

Instead of using two 1'' x 3'' x 25" ferring strips just use one 2" x 4" x 25 instead. Also if you put this in the attic if possible you will pick 10 to 20 more channels. Height = Might

[@bbesser1138]

I live outside the US. Can you tell me, for which specific broadcast frequency, the antenna is suitable?

[@dragan3290]

I think uhf? Id google it? Cheers from Australia 👍

[@khushimuhammad7861]

Hi sir I see you making TV antenna I need spare part name list and available in Pakistan please send

[@rongwynne3824]

You will need to be within 50 miles to reach any Over The Air broadcasting. It's a law in America and stations must broadcast, not so much anywhere else..(Except here in Toronto where i can receive 40 plus American channels. from Buffalo and NY state..

[@chriscampbell2327]

Take a paperclip straighten 1 end stick it into the antenna plug and you got a HD TV antenna.

[@VladTheImpalerTepesIII]

lol, with a 517 mile range, too!

[@mcschoep56]

Do the reflectors actually do anything to enhance performance?

[@doityourselfstan]

They are designed to reflect the broadcast signals back into the V-shaped wires, or "whiskers," to improve reception. I've not tried an antenna without them. I bought these single-use grill grates in the outdoor grill aisle at a Wal-Mart.

[@sMASHsound]

@@doityourselfstan what's the distance the reflectors should be away from the v's?

[@toddlee2571]

They are a tad close actually. Most bowtie antenna designs have at 3 to 4 inches behind the elements or "whiskers"

[@RickPaquin]

OMG, it's the most important part of a properly tuned antenna. For 4 bay antennas intended to receive stations 14-36, the proper spacing is 4.5" behind the bowties. A chinese manufacturer sold one here in the US and is still sold under various names. There were many complaints about it's signal gain and had a low rating. It was also cheap in cost and still is. The problem was that it was based on an old engineering design was intended for channels 60-72 (back in the 50's) so the reflector was only mounted 2.5" from the bowtie elements. It had lousy performance for the lower UHF channels here in the U.S. I purchased one for a song and remounted the reflector 4.5" from the bowties. The mod wasn't that difficult. That baby now has excellent gain and it will pick up a good signal from 70 mi.

[@JohnJones-jq4gj]

@@doityourselfstan Thanks for a great video, the precision needed in respect to the distances between the parts would be compromised by using bendable grill grates as reflectors?, if that makes sense?ie what happens if you bend themclimbing into your attic - you'd need to start again? Or am i missing something? PS you're other videos are great as well

[@AngryFalang]

Watched this at 1.5 speed at its much better 😂

[@frankyvee1]

Sounds normal at that speed thnx

[@BlueDawn1776]

@doityourselfstan By any chance do you measure a short between the two leads of your matching transformer? I have ordered this part from two different vendors at this point, and all of them have continuity/short across the two leads, as well as between the center conductor and shield/threads. Perhaps I'm fundamentally misunderstanding something about the nature of this component. Thanks in advance for your advice, great video.

[@joepastafari]

it's a transformer. The windings appear short to dc signals like your meter's continuity check, but not ac signals like the rf transmission.

[@RickPaquin]

If it's a 75ohm matching transformer, you may see what appears to be a short because you're using an ohm meter that probably puts out 1.5v. The very small signal your antenna picks up will see the proper impedance so don't concern yourself about the short. My major complaint with this antenna design is that everything is screwed into wood, which, to a small signal, will mess up that delicate impedance. Always mount everything on plastic. You don't want the signal touching wood at all. Also, the antenna design is a huge compromise. It looks nice and cute, which will probably please your spouse, but it's not really tuned at all for maximum signal. All inside antennas are a compomise because style matters. But this is not a properly tuned 4 bay antenna, which would be too large to have in a living room. Due to size, a 2 bay, with properly spaced elements and a properly spaced reflector would provide MUCH more gain, for about the same size. For those of you who remember the indoor antennas of the 50's, most were properly tuned 2 bay bowtie antennas that could still sit on top of your TV.

[@alializadeh8195]

Thanx

[@henrydominguez1357]

Pregunta, la puedo colocar en el techo de la casa, en el exterior....????

[@doityourselfstan]

Sé de alguien que colocó el suyo afuera en el techo, y funcionó. Probablemente necesitaría pintar o impermeabilizar la madera.

[@frankyvee1]

@@doityourselfstan y el transformador tambien cuvrido con una bota de goma.

[@frankyvee1]

y el transformador tambien cuvrido con una bota de goma. Puede tambien usar silicon para que no entre el agua.

[@DoodiePunk]

You guys make it feel like anything could be done D.I.Y.

[@doityourselfstan]

Thank you for your kind words! We try to make it simple enough so almost anyone can do it.

[@kensmith5694]

@@doityourselfstan About the only thing you could have done better would be to flash the dimension numbers up on the screen in text. This would give people a chance to write them down.

[@Sadboy80629]

California be like : you cant be operating that frequency unless you pay for a license through the FCC.

[@kcstafford7997]

I'm sure I seen this in an old popular mechanics magazine

[@mrtonicsvls3624]

FM dipole attached why?

[@jeffmccray8883]

He said that it helps bring in PBS stations somehow.

[@doityourselfstan]

It helps bring in PBS in my area for some reason. Without it, PBS (Channel 35) won't come in at all. Perhaps the dipole helps captures the signal or brings in a different frequency. You can try the antenna with or without the FM dipole.

[@240atomic]

The bowties receive UHF, the FM dipole receives UHF. After the repack, a lot of PBS stations moved into the VHF frequencies. Does screwing the bowties into the wood as opposed to plastic make difference, yes, but not one you would ever notice in the real world.

[@panagdimi]

Channel 35, is that real or virtual?

[@louisd95714]

Thanks for the video, but to be clear, there is o such thing as a digital, of HD antenna.

[@markissboi3583]

Picks up ISS space station and SpaceX internet satellites :)

[@doityourselfstan]

May the Force be with you!

[@JohnJones-jq4gj]

No, picked up Discovery 1 going to Jupiter; unfortunately by then Hal 9000 compromised the mission - but all was not lost Tars and Cooper came shouting "No time for caution". Cooper rescued Bowman by playing also sprach zarathustra......

[@waynemorgan1577]

It appears from most of the comments that the commentators have never heard the saying " If you don't have nothing good to say .. then don't say nothing at all.. " Just shows the direction the world is going..

[@ProfessorDIY]

There is no such thing as a digital TV antenna

[@billschlafer]

It's so frustrating to see advertisements for "digital" or "HD" antennas. Marketing tomfoolery.

[@keithstone6766]

I'm at a loss what makes this "digital" it is an antenna but there is zero difference between an analog or digital antenna other than no one is broadcasting TV in analog form anymore in the USA

[@ihatesignupsgrrrrrrr]

If you inspect the airwaves, it is 0's and 1's that are flowing thru the air. You need a digital microscope to do this! /s

[@caru3257]

@@ihatesignupsgrrrrrrr are you talking about an oscilloscope?

[@ihatesignupsgrrrrrrr]

@@caru3257 No, it's not a 0 or 1... I was joking. The demodulation is what turns the frequencies into 0's and 1's, not what is actually traveling thru the air.

[@kwacz]

A digital tv antenna does exist. It is made up of a regular antenna hopefully tuned to the proper frequency that is packaged up and sold with a bunch of mumbo jumbo lingo that doesn't mean anything useful and has nothing to do with anything. A genius marketing scam to make someone believe the antenna they used on their old analog set that worked very well is outdated and inferior so they go out and buy a new one that probably doesn't work as well as the old one they just tossed.

[@rmaldonado4031]

No such thing as a digital antenna

[@dorosco74]

I would say if the signal is broadcast in digital and the antenna captures that signal then it is acting as a digital antenna and is more so a digital antenna as T.V. stations no longer broadcast primarily in analog if at all.

[@knockywigglesworth1909]

Uh.. There is no such thing as "digital" anteena! Just antenna that picks up a signal

[@JHenrySlentz]

Nah..pointing the blade away from you is a myth for children...of course I use chainmail gloves whenever I scalpal sh!t..but seriously though, widdlers widely disagree with the away from you thing BUT Harbor Freight has some cheap insulation strippers that can strip mid section for about $15. Whether you purchase them or just slip them in your pocket - well worth it.

[@denverferrell5217]

No such thing as a digital or HD TV antenna.

[@marvelljones72]

True, but the marketing has drawn a lot of people in. I'm already seeing "New ATSC 3.0 compliant Antenna" advertisements 🙄. And no, they don't come with a converter box, they're just antennas. At least this video is building an actual antenna instead of just jamming a large paperclip into the coax connector on a TV & claiming it has a 400-mile range (only slightly exaggerating unfortunately).

[@leod7454]

There is no such a thing as a digital antenna. An antenna is an antenna. Using the words "digital" and "HD" and "High definition" in describing any antenna is simply pandering to the stupidity of people who actually believe such garbage.

[@frankyvee1]

That is correct. An antenna is just a dumb metal object that picks up radio waves. The antenna can careless if those radio waves are carrying digital or analog signal. Your tuner inside your TV or if you have an external tuner will be the device converting those digital or analog signals to a picture that can be displayed on your TV screen.

[@XwpisONOMA]

You are correct but still you should get a life!

[@bkostella412]

Yall are literally retarded. An antennae is not digital. A digital antennae simply implies it receives channels broadcasted in HD - nothing is claiming the antennae itself is digital. Are you guys really that hard-headed?.. a little bored, are we? DIY goes to English class in 2 seconds.. like who cares?? Is convincing someone that all antennae are analog devices going to get you off or something? I'm just really very curious.. do you feel little and insignificant inside?-- and you fill that void by being a doucebag? I'm definitely missing something here. It's pretty hilarious though 😅

[@The1066BMJ]

There is no such thing as a "digital" antenna. This antenna is just an old school style "bowtie" antenna.

[@xianreiss]

Well that is what they are called these days.

[@The1066BMJ]

@@xianreiss ..Which is technically incorrect.

[@toddlee2571]

I've watched the video and I don't remember him stating that he invented anything

[@katrenco]

@John McCarroll Well, then, we'll be waiting on bated breath for your informative DIY video for something bigger, better and easier than this..............

[@The1066BMJ]

@@toddlee2571 .. I never said he claimed to invented it. He does wrongfully call it a digital antenna. This antenna design dates back to the 1950s. It is called a Bowtie Antenna.

[@maj.d.sasterhikes9884]

Why does it sound like Biden is doing this video?

[@maj.d.sasterhikes9884]

@Pepe Lephew Get a sense of humor, it's free!

[@roymusejr5939]

🤣🤣🤣

[@waynewood8840]

No, if it was Biden…there would be discussions about riding trains, children feeling of his hairy legs, and how many times he won the Super Bowl.

[@thomasslone1964]

I really don't feel like watching a 20 minute video I'm missing gun smoke can you just add a schematic

[@duskogaspar1365]

"Digital" antenna is wrong name , all antenna on world working on analog principle , same with digital and analog signal modulation. Equally they do not exist "HDTV" , "DVB-T/T2" antennas.

[@leod7454]

There is no such thing as a "digital" tv antenna. A tv antenna is a tv antenna. Stop trying to con people.

[@juded8530]

Yeah, Because it receives digital channels and most cities now have only digital channels, analogs are not in commission anymore

[@toddlee2571]

He's just a dude making a video of DIY project. He's not trying con anyone.

[@katrenco]

This guy shared a great DIY tutorial, at no cost to anyone, and to you that's a con? And who tied you down in a chair, pinned your eyes open, wired your ears back and forced you to watch and listen to it? I think that's the one you should worry about!

[@fjorge13]

I doubt he is trying to con you or anyone as he is not selling it.

[@adama7957]

He's using the correct parlance for the general public on KZbin. Careful with leveling criminal accusations Leo, especially with the goal of stroking your ego, which is apparently based on antenna knowledge, sheesh.

[@billybob8686]

So boring video, speed it up, could have been done in half the time

[@URKing-zn8pb]

Stop complaining and just be happy the video was made.

[@katrenco]

You know, you can speed up your playback and then you don't have to criticize a very informative, detailed and easy to follow DIY video....or, you could have just walked away and not watched.

[@waynewood8840]

I thought he did a great job describing each detail. Some people are not as experienced or knowledgeable as others. Great job dude!

[@3109473]

Digital Antenna😂????? Really,digital???

[@keltic88]

Read titles much 😂????? Really, titles??? Thanks for the video @doityourselfstan.

[@dragan3290]

​@@keltic88LMAO 🤣

[@doctorseruzawa175]

There is no such thing as a digital TV antenna.