Watching television these days can be plain awful. There are hundreds of channels on cable access television that you never watch and don’t care about, despite the fact that you pay a lot to acquire them all. Despite the availability of channels, the local access network TV is the only thing to watch.
A spool of unused coax cable works well as a digital TV antenna. While not optimal for gathering distant signals, this antenna can pick up hundreds of HDTV channels inside a metro zone in around 15 minutes.
Simply peel the wrapping off a standard coaxial TV cable, fold it back, and leave six inches of exposed copper wire as an antenna.
You are not the only one who is fed up. Join the effort to reclaim your right to free local programming. More and more people are resorting to TV antennas to get free network television. Stay tuned because we’ll show you how to make your own TV antenna from scratch using just coax wire.
What you’ll need
To build this HDTV antenna, you just need a few simple tools and supplies. You’ll need the following materials:
- A one-foot-long standard coaxial wire for television
- Diagonal cutters
- Needle-nose pliers (optional)
- Utility knife
- A 3/8-inch heat-shrink tube or electrical tape
- Rubber gloves or work gloves
- If heat shrink tubing is being used, use a hair dryer.
That’s it, end of story. Because you’ll be carving some plastic with the knife, make sure it has a fresh or recently sharpened blade. Heat shrink tubing is what I like since it’s quicker and more professional looking, although electrical tape can work just as well.
I didn’t have any unused coax cables, which surprised me, but I did find a few at secondhand shops. An antenna can be made from a two-foot cable by cutting it in half.
Here is how you can Make TV Antenna from Coaxial Cable:
Step: 1 Create a Wooden Board
The size of your board should be between one and two inches by three. It needs to be around 22 inches long, at the very least. From left to right when laying down the board horizontally. The 2-inch mark should be marked with a pencil. Then draw lines every 12.5, 17.75, and 12.5-inches. Make 2 dots equally spaced along each line.
Step: 2 Make the Copper Wire Ready
Copper wire will be required. Cut 8 portions of wire from 14-inch lengths. You’ll need 7 inches of copper wire each lamp, so cut it in half and leave a 3-inch space between the two ends. The two wires should create a triangle with a 3-inch gap in the middle, and that should be the triangle’s third side.
Step: 3 Connect the wires.
The V tip of each copper wire will be attached to the dots on your wooden board next. Not upward, but outward, should be the direction of each wire. Your board will seem to have sprouted several legs as a result. Screws and washers are used to attach the wires.
After that, you’ll need to weave them into the board with the rest of the wire. Each V-shaped wire’s bent part should be crossed once. Ideally, the wires should not be in direct contact with one another. A minimum of 1 insulated wire has to be used while weaving the wires to avoid sparking. Vinyl is a good material to use.
To finish, link the first and second sets of V-shaped wires with 2 X forms. Between the second and third sets of V-shaped wires, two horizontal lines should link the X designs.
Step: 4 Install Reflectors
On the board, use grill screens as reflectors. Attaching two reflectors requires that they be placed at equal distances apart. These will be attached to the board’s reverse side. Each of these reflectors is supposed to be 15 by 9 inches in size. Screws are required to attach them. The V-shaped cables should not be in contact with the reflectors.
Step: 5 Attach the transformer (balun)
Baluns are transformers of the balun-type. kind. Any electronics or internet business should have one. Installation and attachment of the balun will be explained in the user manual that comes with it. Using the provided directions, connect it to the two middle parts of the wire.
Step: 6 Connect the HDTV Antenna
This is where your coaxial wire is, so get it now. To connect the balun to the television, use this cable. If there are no instructions included with the coax cable, just check for the correct plug on the TV. Which side of the coax goes into the balun and which side goes into the TV should be evident.
Splitting The Signal
Splitting the signal is critical in homes with many TVs, each of which wants a distinct channel. The signal from the antenna must be divided if you want to use several TVs at the same time.
Once the antenna is up and running, you’ll want to see how the existing coaxial line is configured. There are many black cords inside the box that you’ll need to look at to figure out the setup. Identify where all of the cables go and give them labels after you’ve done so. If you’re fortunate, your cable provider will take care of all of this for you before you ever ask.
A power splitter is an option as well. Splitting the signal and amplifying it further is made possible with this technique. To divide the signal in another way, use wall jacks. For those who don’t have access to these connections, you’ll have to connect each TV to the central location with a new coaxial cable.
Amplifying The Signal
If you’re using a splitter and your second television is more than 150 feet distant, you’ll need to boost the TV antenna signal. The amplifier in the splitter should be placed to the side of the antenna.
The amplifier compensates for the signal’s dilution due to amplification. Perfect digital signal reception requires proper amplification, which is much more critical than the average person realizes. It makes a huge difference in digital reception quality whether you use a good amplifier or a bad one, and vice versa.
In terms of types of amplifiers, there are two major divisions:
The Preamplifier
There are two components to this unit. Both parts were located, with the first being near the antenna’s output and the second being far from it. A signal amplifier and a power supply are located next to the antenna on opposite sides of the device.
Electric outlets are required for the power supply, which is also known as the injector. First, an antenna-to-coaxial cable connection is made using the injector.
The Distribution Amplifier
In order to distribute a television signal amongst many TVs, the distribution amplifier amplifies the signal after it has been separated using a splitter. It’s normally on the splitter’s antenna side. The amplifier receives the signal from the antenna cable and amplifies it before sending it to the amplifier’s output. The splitter divides the signal, which is subsequently routed to other TVs.
The location of the amplifier inside the antenna system is the primary distinction between the two kinds of amplifiers. Although signal amplification can make up for a weak antenna, it’s important to keep this in mind when using it. Also find out Best Amplifier for Outdoor Speakers.
The use of a cable TV antenna connected through coaxial cable
Like any other commercially available antenna, connecting your coax cable TV antenna to your TV is a cinch. Connect it to your TV’s antenna input and use your TV’s remote to view the menu.
To find a channel, switch the tuner to antenna or over-the-air. According to my experience, the number of channels available to me in my home varies depending on where I am in the house. It’s on par with most $6 antennas, but it’s better than some of them. I built one to replace a subpar $6 antenna and ended up making two more.
Final conclusion
Thanks to recent technological developments, a basic outdoor TV antenna may now give free digital transmission to consumers. Use the same coaxial cable that’s already in your TV to hook up a TV antenna. Do-it-yourself job that’s a lot simpler than you think. When you’re finished, you’ll be able to watch a large choice of channels for free. Making a TV antenna requires no specific electrical knowledge.
I hope this article will help you to make TV Antenna from Coaxial Cable.
FAQs
Here’s where you’ll discover the answers of How to Make TV Antenna from Coaxial Cable. Take a look at the following inquiries.
Is it possible for me to use a coaxial cable as an antenna?
Yes, your TV antenna may be connected to your cable TV wiring system. The same coax cable may be used for the TV antenna if your house is wired for cable TV and you wish to cut the cord and ditch cable in favor of a TV antenna.
Is it possible for me to create my own TV antenna?
A TV antenna is a terrific method to access a variety of HD channels for free, including ABC, CBS, FOX, and NBC in many places. While you can purchase an antenna for about $50 at places like Walmart or Target, you can also make your own with stuff you probably already have around the home.
How can I watch free to air TV without an antenna?
While an antenna isn’t required, you will need an internet connection that is connected to your television. There are platforms available, including as Freeview, which just introduced its new FV service on the web. It brings together more than 20 FTA TV networks’ live streaming and catch-up services.
Freelance tech journalist & author of soundboxlab.com …Read More