$10 DIY HD Antenna

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Lester
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$10 DIY HD Antenna

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Dave Loudin
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Re: $10 DIY HD Antenna

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Looks like a replica of the classic Radio Shack bowtie antenna. The elements are too small for the UHF band ending at channel 51. Search for M4 and mclapp to find a much better design.
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Re: $10 DIY HD Antenna

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http://www.frontiernet.net/~mclapp/Ante ... ew%202.JPG

No one antenna is going to fit all applications.
This one has long range potential tho.
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Re: $10 DIY HD Antenna

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This is the home page for that antenna design. Some size options to tweak VHF reception. There are complete plans for free, or you can buy parts for cheap.
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Greg Goodfellow
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Re: $10 DIY HD Antenna

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I'm 35 miles from WTAP in Parkersburg; I live on top of Friendly Hill, but somewhat in a shallow bowl. Even with expert help, there was no way to get any signals. However, neighbors 2 houses away can get OTA, and I sold a practically-new (and quite large) antenna to a man approximately 1/2 mile from me, but has much-better line of sight. He loves his reception, as he receives quite a few stations. I know this is a four-year old situation, but surely something can be done to defeat the DMA situation, as it takes away previous choices.

IIIRC, TV stations now run on much-less power, so the financial benefits for them are obvious. Would dramatically increasing power really help for the 15 percent or so still accessing OTA broadcasting, or should a network of translators on cell towers be utilized, or are most people okay with the status quo?

Should I put an antenna, whether store-bought or home-brewed on a a 60+ tower, or just stay happy with Dish with its five local offerings? I wish we were in a different DMA, so we could get options other than WVMH's.
Last edited by Greg Goodfellow on Fri Aug 02, 2013 9:20 pm, edited 1 time in total.
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Dave Loudin
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Re: $10 DIY HD Antenna

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Greg, you can see what signals are in the air at your location by using tvfool.com. The site also lets you play with antenna height to see if that helps.
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Re: $10 DIY HD Antenna

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"Solid Signal has the Solid Signal Xtreme Signal HDB2X Blade 2 Bay VHF/UHF Outdoor HD Digital Antenna for a low $24.99 after Coupon Code: "TECHBARGINS" (Exp 8/18). Tax in most.

Solid Signal also it bundled w/ 50-Foot Coax Cable + J-Mount, for a low $49.99 after Coupon Code: "TECHBARGINS". $12.95 Shipping.

This antenna receives UHF digital broadcasts at 35+ miles and 15 Miles High Band VHF and has a low profile 32" W x 3.5" L x 16.5" H. Features High-gain blade style elements pull in maximum signal, and hold up better in weather than traditional bow-tie elements."
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