How do you make a home-made antenna or where can I buy a cheap one?

Question

I want off cable but would like to have the basic channels clear. My TV is from the 90s but is moderately large. Is there an easy way to get the basic channels pretty clearly with out cable. If you don't know how to make one, could you recommend a cheap one for purchase?

Answer 1

You could probably go to a thrift store like Salvation Army or Good Will and buy a cheap antenna.

You almost need the really expensive rabbit ears to get any basic channels.

Answer 2

First you need to find out what kind of antenna you need!

The antenna you need could be anything from a 7" wire* stuck in the antenna connector to a huge antenna on top of a tall tower.

(*   A #2 paper clip can be straightened out to about the right length for UHF channels)

The best way is to ask your neighbors what their antenna experience is.

Failing that, you should enter your address at one of the first two web sites below and find out how far you are from the local transmitters and what frequencies they transmit on. Include your zip code and distance to transmitters in any follow up questions.

It is fairly easy to make a UHF only (analog channels 14-69) antenna that is pretty good. First find out if that's what you need. Commonly these are made from either old coat hangers or 12 ga solid copper wire. (copper ground wire is cheap and a lot easier to work with).

If you are with in 10 miles or so of the transmitters, you can probably get by with a $10 rabbit ear antenna. Places like Walmart carry these. These have two long rods that stick up for VHF analog channels 2-13 and a small loop or rectangle to pick up UHF 14-69.

After 2/17/09 most of the analog TV stations in the US that your TV can directly will be shut down. Request a $40 off coupon at the last link below and buy a converter for about $10-$20. The converter goes between your antenna and TV, look for a Zenith or RCA DTA800b1 model.

Answer 3

cheap ones at www.argos.co.uk otherwise straighten out the hook part of a totally metal coat hanger to a 90 deg. bend and poke into the center hole of the aerial socket. you could also solder this onto a coax lead and put the coat hanger outside up higher for better reception.

Answer 4

What you need.

- Short child.

- Tin foil.

Make an attenna get him to hold it til you get a good picture.

Answer 5

youre gonna need a convertor box in february, so just get one now