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Homemade HD antenna..any help?
This thread has 18 replies. Displaying posts 1 through 15.
Post 1 made on Friday August 21, 2009 at 09:24
klaven00
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13
hi everyone, ok so this is my dilemma..i made this kind of homemade HD antenna..just like this guy did:



i live in Toronto by the way..so once i made it and i plugged it in, i got nothing at all..no HD channels and barely a difference to the local tv stations..so anyway the other day i was playing around with auto program..the thing was scanning and i stopped it at 30%...i pressed channel up and to my surprise i landed on a HD channel...it was HD wheel of fortune on cbc 5-1..the channel was clearly in HD i even saw an HD logo in the corner but it was choppy and the signal was not strong... i got to witness HD tv for the first time and it only lasted like 15 seconds before the signal went out completely and i was left with a black screen...my tv is a samsung HDTV i bought last year

when watching the choices are either air or cable..what i landed on was DTV and since then i have spent some time trying to copy the same attempts but have not had any luck..

any suggestions on what to do? its clear that this ugly antenna i designed does work..but the question is will it give me a strong enough signal? should i just buy a hd antenna for like $50 or so...will i even have better luck with it? i heard a signal booster might help my cause

anyway, any help would be appreciated..thanks
Post 2 made on Friday August 21, 2009 at 09:35
Joxer
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3
You likly just need to aim it a bit or get a bit higher.

Thats how I started , with the same homemade thing, once i saw it worked i went & got a cheap $20 one (digiwave ANT-2084) and that got me more channels.

Now I have that in my atic & I will get a CH4228HD to mount on the roof soon.

I'm in Brampton btw.
OP | Post 3 made on Friday August 21, 2009 at 09:37
klaven00
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13
i forgot to ask, since i am by no means an expert..even if there exists no signal, how do i land on whats supposed to be a hd channel..i can only search air or cable channels.....when i'm in cable mode, and i change a channel, the box in the corner as the channel is being changed, switches quickly from dtv to cable..so does this mean that its nothing more than a case of terrible signal strength?
OP | Post 4 made on Friday August 21, 2009 at 09:45
klaven00
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13
can i ask how you saw that your antenna worked? did you auto program or did u just pop it in and notice that you were getting reception?

right now the thing is plugged in to my tv and it is doing absolutely squat! CTV which you can still pick up with a small paper clip isn't even great...

cable mode..nothing

air mode..nothing..

how i managed to track down cbc hd i don't know..i could play around with the tv for 3 days straight and i doubt i'll be able to get it another time
Post 5 made on Friday August 21, 2009 at 10:16
mahm1020
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9
I have the Digiwave on the roof in my house in Mississagua. Got 2 of them plus a flexiable bracket for $60. Plus I had a extra one, the same type of anteena pointing towards west, Hamiton...thus I have three on the roof. The other 2 are pointing towards Bufffalo and CN tower....i get most channels except Fox 29.1 and 29.2 as well as ION, 51.1-.51.4

On August 21, 2009 at 09:35, Joxer said...
You likly just need to aim it a bit or get a bit higher.

Thats how I started , with the same homemade thing, once i saw it worked i went & got a cheap $20 one (digiwave ANT-2084) and that got me more channels.

Now I have that in my atic & I will get a CH4228HD to mount on the roof soon.

I'm in Brampton btw.
Post 6 made on Friday August 21, 2009 at 12:11
HDTV Junkee
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3
From the picture shown above, I think that you need to criss-cross the feeds at 1 and 4. (ie X pattern then straight for two feed-points and then criss-cross once again).

I have three of these built (various materials and sizes -- but mostly from coat hangers or thicker 1/8 " steel that has been bent to form the wiskers).

All work to various degrees considering my attic contraints (35 ft vertical and 49 ft cable -- RG6 (wife won't let me put anything outside).

Through a reverse splitter (Mississuaga area) can get 2.1, 2.2, 2.3, 4.1, 7.1, 17.1/2/3, 23.1, -- across water -- then 5.1, 9.1, 11.1 (18.1), 25.1, 36.1, 41.1, 44.1, 57.1, 64.1, 66.1 very well. With reflectors (old window screens 2.5 ft by 4ft covered by tin foil).

Then on many occasions 26.1/26.2 (Jamestown) come in.

And then at certain times (late at night or early in morning -- crisp air) 45.1, 16.1 and 21.1 from Rochester come in.

The same goes for 54.1/2/3/4 and 22.1/2/3 from Erie. And very late at night for only about an hour or two, I get 29.1/2, 49.1/2 and 51.1/2/3/4.

Note that right behind me and to the Buffalo side are two very tall townhouse complexes -- 50 ft to the rooftops.

---------------------------

Recently, I have experiemented with the following -- a metal ring from an old dart-board -- fairly good success -- no balun, just RG6 directly to the TV. -- A copper dish -- no balun, just RG6 directly to the TV.

And finally very recently a smashed front CAR FENDER with a single copper wire through it in a similar pattern to the coat hanger antenna -- with a balun (300 to 75 ohm). Copper wire is attached only to one side of the metal screws. I was plensantly surprised to pick up all of the Buffalo and Toronto stations on one antenna (fender). I know it sounds crazy, but it works. No Erie and no Rochester. But 49.1/2 came in for longer periods. No 26.1/2.

When I get some time over the next couple weeks, I may add another short copper wire which criss-crosses) the first and see if it makes any difference to strenth during high humidity weather patterns.

Hope my comments help others.
OP | Post 7 made on Friday August 21, 2009 at 14:14
klaven00
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thanks for the comments..i actually did cris cross the wires although the pic shown doesn't do that

i'm sure your experimentation worked well for you but for some reason nothing is working on my samsung..

earlier today i attached my antenna on the roof..and still no signal..i must have spent hours auto programming and no change

the only thing wrong with my antenna that i could think of is the wires that form the V at all ends..a few of them are thick wire that i cut out manually they were insulated, and a the rest are the thinnest which were coat hanger..

i used a 32" piece of wood, the big washers that are nearly 2" in diameter, and tested it with both a very long and very short coaxial cable..

the wire work looks a little poor i'll admit..they aren't 100% stright..the thinnest wire bends on impact with anything it touches..

what i'm most curious of is how you land on the HD channels..do you just set the tv to "air" mode..or do you set auto program, and then the tv scans through and lands on the hD channels on its own?

appreciated as always
Post 8 made on Friday August 21, 2009 at 15:55
HDTV Junkee
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I think that there are lot's of things that you can try. Unfortunately, I will be out of commish for a few days, so I will quickly run through it. Others may have some suggestions, as well.

--------------

Is the balun new -- re-buy two types at dollar store, if necessary?
Is the cable cracked? $15 to $18 at satellite store. Do not buy the cheap dollar store stuff 100 ft for $8.00.


1. I assume that you have an HDTV. If yes, then the scan for channels is run through the TV. Make sure the input is set to Antenna and not cable. We have 2 HD tv's -- one has a cable box through Video 1, and the antenna through the back. The other TV has basic cable only and the antenna -- which means you need a switch (from the dollar store cable / antenna) and 3 feet of separate RG cables that go into the switch -- move toggle back and forth. But every time you move from one to the other you must move the internal switch in TV set-up options. Buy the switch and then think about it logically.

2. If you have a converter box -- then the channel scan is run through that.

Either 1 or 2 above -- you can take a separate 6 foot piece of RG6 cable -- attach it to your tv or box antenna slot and then scan for channels. Cut one of the ends of the 6 ft piece and put it up close to the ceiling or on a curtain rod -- just to get the height.

You should scan in at least 5.1 and 11.1 -- maybe 36.1 or 9.1 will come through -- that's about it for ground level, here locally.

Other than that -- you can take an old intendo TV antenna gizmo -- hook up to the antenna slot and scan (results should be the same).

OR attach a piece of 4 inch telephone wire to a balun (the one with the two screws (one at each end) -- shave off the protective shields, twist. Then attach directly to the tv antenna slot and scan. This is meant for analog, but digital signals scan in as well.

OR if you have a satellite dish -- then just to make a test -- take off the universal LNB and let the wire hang in the air. Dettach from sat. rec'r and then attach to antenna slot. You may have to point the dish down slightly as signals bounce from the ground (some reflection off of the dish will occur).

Many more things that you can try. If TV or conv. box is good, then scanning is the easy part. Our tv scans in the analog channels first, then the digital -- but everyone's set-up is different.

Should be a nice weekend for you to get it all going. Take a compass and rotate your antenna to see what you get and where.

Over and Out.
OP | Post 9 made on Friday August 21, 2009 at 17:51
klaven00
Long Time Member
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13
wow that was very informative thanks for that

i tried a couple of cables which aren't new but i guess its possible they could be cracked..the balun is new
we have no cable box or satellite dish..

i do still have the nintendo wire if thats what you meant..the telephone wire idea sounds interesting i might give that a shot..

as far as the tv options go i spent too much time dingling through them..unfortunately no luck for me

if this all fails i'm going to give the hd shoebox antenna a shot

regardless i appreciate all the input..ii guess some people just were not cut out to make their own antennas..i'm starting to think location may be an issue

i read somewhere that cbc 5-1 gives out the strongest transmission signal from the cn tower so if i can't even detect that channel i might be out of luck

cheers
Post 10 made on Saturday August 22, 2009 at 16:19
BillFromGI
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March 2009
179
Hi Klaven. The antenna in the picture does not have the feeds crossed between the 1st and 2nd set on ears & the 3rd and 4th set of ears. However you said you crossed them so that is good. Make sure the feeds do not touch each other where they are crossed.. .

Did you use laminated or painted coat hangers? If so you'll need to scrap/sand off that paint or laminate where the ears are screwed to the feeds. It is very important that you do that, otherwise the antenna will work poorly or maybe not at all! Keep trying and let us know how you do.. . Bill
Post 11 made on Monday August 24, 2009 at 13:10
popa
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July 2009
5
Make sure you use RG6 cable. First time I tried with RG5.9 and I had same problems like you. And read the message from BillFromGI about the paint from the hangers. With the same antenna I got all canadians (except City) and 7.1 just aiming south from the window (second floor).
Post 12 made on Thursday April 8, 2010 at 18:26
blooknight
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April 2010
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Got a tip for you klaven00.....stop being a cheapskate and trying to do better than the professionals............I live near where you do and I got a channel master 4221 hd antenna for $43 and hung it from the ledge on my 2nd floor window and I get about 20 channels crystal clear. I am using an old Direct tv mounting mast and 30 feet of cable....no pre-amp needed....by the time you spend all that money, time and energy you might as well just buy the damn thing and hang it.....the whole thing takes an hour and you are done....remember to aim it towards Buffalo as the CN tower stations will capture easily and the further channels need a more direct aim. Try Angel Electronics in Mississauga or Save and Play also in Mississauga. You're going to get free tv in any case so the $43 is a one time expense.
Post 13 made on Saturday April 10, 2010 at 12:14
isotack
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17
First off, you ar discribing HDTV and DTV in the Toronto area as some kind of exception rather than the norm. Almost all channels in the GTA and Buffalo are DTV and thus HDTV. The exceptions are OECA Ch 19 and CKVR in Barrie.

I live in Whitby and can get at least 80% for 21 channels.

You did not mention and there has been no mention of amplification. Did you put an amplifier on the antenna? Did you use RG6 cable from the antenna?

If you did not, then your results make total sense. Go to the source and get an amplifier. Or better still, go to Walmart and just a buy a Phillips amplified indoor antenna. Put it near a window facing the CN Tower. If you have an obstructing building in the way, raise the antenna.

As for your TV, scan it on DTV...not cable and not annologue.
Post 14 made on Monday April 12, 2010 at 10:26
wogster
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111
On August 21, 2009 at 14:14, klaven00 said...
thanks for the comments..i actually did cris cross the wires although the pic shown doesn't do that

i'm sure your experimentation worked well for you but for some reason nothing is working on my samsung..

earlier today i attached my antenna on the roof..and still no signal..i must have spent hours auto programming and no change

the only thing wrong with my antenna that i could think of is the wires that form the V at all ends..a few of them are thick wire that i cut out manually they were insulated, and a the rest are the thinnest which were coat hanger..

i used a 32" piece of wood, the big washers that are nearly 2" in diameter, and tested it with both a very long and very short coaxial cable..

the wire work looks a little poor i'll admit..they aren't 100% stright..the thinnest wire bends on impact with anything it touches..

what i'm most curious of is how you land on the HD channels..do you just set the tv to "air" mode..or do you set auto program, and then the tv scans through and lands on the hD channels on its own?

appreciated as always

All of the wire ties should be the same diameter, the same length and the same metal, you need a piece of sand paper or emery cloth, and make sure the metal is nice and shiny where all wires connect together.  Washers should be the ones, sized to fit the screws. 

Although the instructions on making an antenna seem to elude that you can use anything lying around, if you want good results you need the proper materials, and that means a trip to Rona/Lowes/Home Depot, and it costs about $25.  This all came about, 3-4 years ago, when the antennas cost $50-$100 minimum, now that we have Chinese Sweatshop antennas premade for $20, it doesn't make as much sense as it did 3-4 years ago.  If you need to buy an oven rack for a reflector, it makes even less sense to roll your own.   The Chinese ones will come with the reflector already.

The less material the signal needs to go through the better, the higher it is off the ground the better, the better aimed it is toward the signal source the better.   You want the highest quality cable and the shorter the run the better.  

Figure that to do this project properly will cost about $100, and take one full day, most people run into problems because they want to do it in 5 minutes for $5, which is why so many are not successful.  The costs are a one time cost, cable or satellite you pay every month for ever more.

You need to verify that the TV has an ATSC tuner, set it to AIR and run a channel scan.  You will pick up the analog and digital versions of all channels, except channel 19, which has no digital version at the moment.  Because the process is somewhat fluid right now, plan on repeating the channel scan once a month or so.  
Post 15 made on Tuesday August 28, 2012 at 08:58
mdmm
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August 2012
1
Request for Informations.
I am in Mississauga,ON.
Please clearify following items,
1- Coat hangers are made of iron/steel.Is it ok to use and yours iron made hangers arms are working good??
2-What should be good length of each arm ?? and what must be distance between end point of each arms.
3- Should these arms be at the same line and level or I can make them up and down to avoid touching.What is best distance beween 4 points in line and between opposit points on wood.
4- If putting on roof,Can i wrap whole antenna or only arms in plastic tape to avoid rusting and water damage,.
5- What is best position to place. Vertically upward facing toward USA or horizontally lay down on roof .
6- If i put tin plate behind,should it be flat or make it a little concave to converge signals on rods??
Will appreciate your helping hints,please.
tiger
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