The traditional rabbit ears placed on top of a TV may not be sufficient for proper reception in remote areas with a lot of interference. If you want to watch television in such locations, you'll either need to shell out for cable or purchase a more expensive antenna to cut through the static. However, you can built your own television antenna that works very well in out-of-the-way locations, using common items found around the house.
Instructions
1. Measure along one side of a 1-by-3 board for four rows of screws. Each row should consist of two screws, spaced 1 inch apart. The first row should be 2 inches from the top of the board, the second 5 1/4 inches below that, the third 5 1/4 inches below that and the fourth 5 1/4 inches below that. Mark each location with a felt marker.
2. Screw in a series of screws and washers at each point you have marked. Make sure they're screwed in firmly, but don't screw them all the way in just yet. You'll be adding a few components first.
3. Straighten a set of eight metal coat hangers so that they each forms one long wire. Bend the wire in the middle to form a V. Clip the ends off of the wires so that each side of the V measures exactly 7 inches and the tips are exactly 3 inches apart.
4. Place one V on each screw with the washer between the metal and the wood of the board. The Vs should extend straight out past the edges of the board with no tip touching any other tip.
5. Run two lengths of copper wire from the top row of screws to the bottom row of screws. The first wire should start on the left-hand screw, then cross over to the right-hand screw before the second row, continue to the right-hand screw on the third row, then cross back to the left-hand screw on the fourth row. The second length of wire should start on the right-hand screw, cross over to the left-hand screw on the second row, continue down to the left-hand screw on the third row, then cross back to the right-hand screw on the fourth row.
6. Mark the location where each length of wire touches each screw and strip the insulation from those points. In addition, strip a 1/2-inch piece of insulation from each length of wire in the middle, between the second and third row of screws. The wire needs to be insulated, except at the points where it touches the screws and the ohm connector, which will be attached later.
7. Tighten the screws into position with the copper wire and the Vs in place.
8. Turn the board over and attach a pair of metal 9-by-15 reflective metal grids (such as those used in barbecue grills) with a pair of screws and washers. You may need to use extra screws, depending on how light the metal is. The grills should perfectly flank the Vs on the other side: 4 Vs to each grill.
9. Attach an 75-to-300 ohm converter to the uninsulated points in the center of the copper wire. (These devices have a pair of metal prongs on one end and a coaxial outlet on the other; they're available at any electronics store for a few dollars.) Connect one prong to each wire, and make sure the prongs don't touch.
10. Place your antenna somewhere out of the way where it will get good reception. You can prop it up against a wall or stabilize the base with bricks so that it stands straight up. The attic works well, as does anywhere close to a window.
11. Connect one end of a coaxial cable to the end of the ohm converter and the other end to the "In From Antenna" jack on the back of your TV. Turn on the TV and enjoy your favorite shows as normal.
Tags: left-hand screw, right-hand screw, below that, copper wire, inches below, inches below that