How to Make a HDTV Antenna

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Last Updated: December 22, 2023 Approved

Using a HDTV (High-Definition Television) antenna, based on the DB4 design, is 1 of the most effective ways to retrieve HDTV signals. Purchasing this type of antenna at a store will cost you at least $40. However, you can build such an antenna yourself at a much lower cost. The following is a guide on how to make a HDTV antenna.

Things You Should Know

Get a wooden board that is 1x3x22 inches. Beginning at 2 inches in, draw lines that are 5.25 inches apart across the board with two evenly spaced dots on each line.
Cut 8 14 inch pieces of copper wire and fold them into "V"s. Use screws and washers to attach the creased side of the wire to each of the dots.
Connect a balun to the two center sections of wire and connect to an HDTV using a coax cable.

Steps

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1
Prepare a wooden board.
- It should be 1x3 inches (2.54x7.62 cm) or 2x3 inches (5.08x7.62 cm).
- It should be 22 inches (55.88 cm) long.
- Going from left to right with the board laying horizontally, mark lines at the 2 inch (5.08 cm) mark, the 7.25 inch (18.42 cm) mark, the 12.5 inch (31.75 cm) mark, and the 17.75 inch (45.09 cm) mark. Use a marker or a pencil.
- Mark 2 dots on each line that are evenly spaced.
2
Cut 8 sections of copper wire.
- Each section should be 14 inches (35.56 cm) long.
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3
Bend each section of wire.
- Each should be bent so that each side is 7 inches (17.78 cm) long.
- The gap between each side should be 3 inches (7.62 cm) long.
- Each wire should resemble a "V" when you are finished.
4
Attach the v-shaped wires to the board.
- Attach the center (bent portion) of each wire to the dotted areas of the board using screws and washers.
- When finished, each v-shaped wire should extend outward from the board.
5
Weave 2 wires on the board.
- Use the remaining portion of the wire for this.
- The bent portion of the v-shaped wires should be intersected once each.
- The wires should not touch each other.
- Be sure that at least 1 of the wires that you weave is insulated. Vinyl insulation will work well.
- When finished, the wires should resemble 2 "X" shapes that connect the first and second and the third and fourth sets of v-shaped wires, respectively. Two horizontal lines should connect the "X" designs between the second and third sets of v-shaped wires.
6
Attach reflectors (grill screens) to the board.
- Two reflectors should be evenly spaced on the back of the board.
- Each reflector should be 15x9 inches (38.1x22.86 cm).
- Use screws to complete this task.
- The reflectors should not touch the v-shaped wires.
7
Attach a balun to the 2 center sections of wire.
- This is a transformer that can be purchased on the Internet or at an electronics retailer.
- Follow the instructions that come with the balun.
8
Attach the antenna to a HD television.
- Use a coax cable, which can be purchased on the Internet or at an electronics retailer.
- Follow the instructions that come with the coax cable.

Community Q&A

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Question

What are grill screens?

Community Answer

Aluminum window screen material, hardware cloth, or any type of metal screening that is no more than 1/2" squares. Cut to the proper size, most metal will become a suitable reflector, as long as any holes are under that dimension. This is frequency related and will vary by the signal you're trying to capture.

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Question

Can copper insulated wire be used?

Community Answer

Yes. The velocity factor may be different, but probably close enough to bare wire.

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Question

What gauge wire should be used? Distance from edge for holes? Also, the dimensions shown in the first step don't make any sense, they add up to 58.75 inches. At best, the drawing is poorly done.

Robinson Valderrama

Community Answer

The drawing and measurements are poorly made, the distance between each point is 5.25 inches, this gives a total of 15.75 inches.

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Tips

Wire coat hangers may be substituted for copper wires. Be sure to mimic the mentioned setup of the wiring and strip any paint or varnish off of the coat hangers where they touch the wire.

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Things You'll Need

Wooden board that is 22 inches (55.88 cm) long with a specification of 1x3 inches (2.54x7.62 cm) or 2x3 inches (5.08x7.62 cm)
Marker or pencil
Screws
Washers
Fifteen feet (4.57 m) of copper wire or wire coat hangers
Two 15x9 inch (38.1x22.86 cm) grill screens
Balun
Coax cable
Wire cutter
Screwdriver