Over-the-Air TV Antenna

User-Contributed Project

User-Contributed Project

This project guide is not managed by MAKE staff.

Create an antenna for your TV to get the over-the-air TV stations for less than $10.

  • Author: Rich Reynolds
  • Time required: 30 minutes
  • Difficulty: Easy
  • Add Note x
Tools
Relevant parts
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Add Note Edit Step 1 — Over-the-Air TV Antenna  ¶ 

  • My wife LOVES the Summer Olympics. However, we don't have cable. I need to find a way for her to be able to watch. Of course, we could just get cable... but what fun is that?!

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Add Note Edit Step 2  ¶ 

  • You will need the following materials: 1 aluminum can, something to mount the can to (I used a piece of scrap wood), coax cable and, most importantly, an impedance-matching transformer from RadioShack.

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Add Note Edit Step 3  ¶ 

  • First, start by cutting the soda can in half the long way with tin snips, or shears.

  • Mount these can halves to something to keep them in place. I used a staple gun to hold them to a piece of scrap wood.

  • I also attached a small-gauge wire to the inside corner of each half. This will be a pain. I had trouble soldering this part, so I sanded off the coating from the inside of the can, and folded the wire into the corner and hot-glued it down. It works pretty well, but I feel a solder joint would be better.

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Add Note Edit Step 4  ¶ 

  • Next attach each wire to a lead on the matching transformer. I bought this transformer at RadioShack for $6.

  • I also attached the matching transformer to the wood with an elastic band, not fancy at all.

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Add Note Edit Step 5  ¶ 

  • Finally, attach the new antenna with a coax cable to the back of the TV. You will probably have to run a scan for channels and make sure you have the TV set to "AIR."

  • I have to admit mine works really well. We now get about 8 channels, all local. The picture and audio are great! I even have the antenna set up in our basement family room, which has no windows or anything. Here is a picture of the TV displaying the local weather. Not too shabby for less than $10.

  • Now the wife can watch the Olympics!

For more information, check out the Hacks and Mods category page.

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