Any sort of TV antenna may be hard-pressed to pick up signals in a remote area where trees and other obstacles work against it. Outdoor TV antennas tend to work better than indoor antennas because they have less interference to contend with, and may be a solution where traditional rabbit ears fail. You can make a very effective outdoor TV antenna out of common components that should pick up signals no matter where you are.
Instructions
1. Select a location to mount your outdoor antenna. The higher up, the better (on top of your roof works well). Try to find a place that is away from any trees or obstructions.
2. Lay a piece of 1 x 3 wood flat on your workspace. The board should be between 22 and 26 inches in length. Screw a series of eight screws and washers into position on the board. The screws should be in two rows of four; the first row should be an inch from the left-hand side of the board, the second an inch from the right-hand side. The four screws in each row should be placed a distance from the top as follows: the first should be two inches from the top, the second should be 7 1/4 inches from the top, the third should be 12 1/2 inches from the top, and the last should be 17 1/2 inches from the top. Screw them in firmly, but leave a little space between the head of each screw and the board.
3. Unfold eight coat hangers and cut them into 14-inch lengths. Then fold each one into a V shape--seven inches for each side of the V and with three inches between each tip.
4. Fit the "V"s into place on the screws, with the tips pointing outwards. Make sure than no tip touches any other tip.
5. String a length of copper wire from the top left-hand screw, then run it down to the second highest right-hand screw, then to the third highest right-hand screw, then back to the bottom left-hand screw.
6. Run another length of copper wire from the top right-hand screw down to the second highest left-hand screw, then to the third highest left-hand screw, then back to the bottom right-hand screw.
7. Wrap the two points where the wires cross with electrical tape so that they do not touch. If your wires are insulated, strip the insulation free at the points where the wires come into contact with the screws.
8. Tighten the screws firmly.
9. Strip the insulation from the dead center of the two wires--between the second and third screws--and connect the two prongs of an ohm converter to those points. The prongs on the converter should never touch. (If your wiring doesn't have any insulation, don't worry about stripping it.)
10. Connect a pair of 15 x 9 grill screens to the opposite side of the board with screws, mirroring the position of the wire Vs.
11. Mount the antenna in your chosen location, making sure it is secure and will not fall over in the wind. Run a coaxial cable from the ohm connector to the "In From Antenna" input on your TV. You should be able to pick up local stations as normal.
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