DIY 4-Bay UHF Antenna

December 28th, 2009 | Posted by tonyscha in Personal | Technology - (0 Comments)

I decided to try and make a TV antenna from many different online resources I have read. The Antenna I made was a 4-Bay bow-tie antenna. You will see this called a coat hanger antenna also, because you can make the whisk out of coat hangers easily. I first read about this antenna from this website, but I am sure its been on the internet long before this. My goal was to get some vhf channels in ( channel 7,9 and 12) , and since this antenna is mostly UHF, I found some modified designs by mclapp that help produce a small gain in the VHF-HI range.

http://www.frontiernet.net/~mclapp/Antennas/4baystuff/4%20bay%209%201-2%20element%20layout.pdf
http://www.frontiernet.net/~mclapp/Antennas/4baystuff/4%20bay%209%20inch%20phase%20line.pdf

Unfortunately the antenna didn’t work as well as I was hoping it would. The antenna worked for 12,51 (2-1), and 20 in my area, even though there is channel 48 and 28 which it was missing. My guess is I did something wrong.

The antenna was fairly cheap to build from all store bought parts. It was under 9 dollars from my local Menards.
Wire ( I used 14 gauge galvanized steel)
#6 wood screws
#6 washers
Board from the scrap bin ( 15 cents !!! )
Balun – Converts it over to coaxial cable.

If anyone has any suggestions on why it doesnt work as well as my DB2, let me know :)

I would like to note: I am not an antenna expert, just a beginner. Just going off what I have read online for information.

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Tired but not tired?

September 17th, 2008 | Posted by tonyscha in Personal - (0 Comments)

Have you ever been tired, but you are to lazy to get off the computer and go to bed…? Well thats me, my eyes burn because they are tired but I Dont want to go to bed yet lol. Whats happen? Well a new series of tv shows are about to start or started, while the summer shows are finishing.

I watched Big Brother tonight and Dan was voted to be the winner… if you never have watched Big Brother 10 ignore that last sentance. Fringe from Fox looks to be pretty good, I watched the first episode but didnt watch the latest tonight. Someone mention fringe is kind of like x-files which in a way it was. Heroes and The Big Bang Theory starts next week. I am super excited for heroes, I might have to go watch the recap so I remember whats going on. Then I also watch Battlestar Gallatica, I am currently watching the dvds and I am on season 2.5 which I may add is awesome. If your into scifi and have not watch BSG your missing alot.

I suppose my time has been overspent here, and I need some sleep, something about the body wont function without? I cant wait for a way so I can do something 24/7 without sleeping! But thats another blog post…

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