Bowtie Reflector Antenna for Little Rock, Arkansas? - Canadian TV, Computing and Home Theatre Forums

bigredneck · 2009-08-27, 05:41 PM

I found the bowtie on you tube first. I built it. Looks like crap but works better than two different store bought ones. The second and third don't work any better but they do look better. Went from pine 1 x 6 to 1" pvc. Built more for widow neighbor lady and mother-in-law. They work better than their store bought ones too. My problem is i live in the woods, in a valley and 40 to 50 miles from the stations I want to see in the Little Rock Area. Would the GH antenna do better for me than the bowtie? I will go to tvfool and post my info. Also , i really enjoy this website, I don't any of the technical lingo you guys throw around, but I can follow directions.

bigredneck · 2009-08-27, 07:42 PM

I don't know how to make tvfool show up in this forum, so here's my info if anybody has an idea, latitude 34.3657 longitude -92.9810.

Any ideas as to what antenna would work is appreciated.

holl_ands · 2009-08-28, 12:22 AM

Which UTube Video? The (too small, no reflector) one by babblin5 or a Super-Sized M4???

To post TVFool results, SELECT and then COPY the URL at the top of your browser
(begins http://www.tvfool.......) and then simply PASTE it into a post.

bigredneck · 2009-09-01, 06:06 PM

http://www.tvfool.com/?option=com_wr...aeade27559d2f0

Here is the info from tvfool.

I don't remember which you tube it was, but it was 14 inch wires bent to 7 inches with a 3 inch space between the ends. Attached to a pine one by six.

looks like hell but worked better than i thought it would. I live near the base of a mountain and reception is poor. I am willing to do a tower if necessary, but I will need to get some good advice from you guys before i start. I have installed an fta ku band dish for a few channels, but I want the new local ota digital channels that are now available. sat service doesn't offer them !

Thanks for the help.

holl_ands · 2009-09-01, 09:57 PM

Sounds like the notorious, yet very popular UTube video posted by babblin5 (with 5.75-in between bowties).
So there is LOTS of room for improvement....

For NBC & FOX could be difficult even with an outdoor antenna and Preamp...and you MIGHT also get ABC.
Stronger stations should be easier and fergit about the weaker ones....

mclapp · 2009-09-02, 12:28 PM

I've had good luck with reception on stations that TV fool list in the negitive NM numbers if used outdoors with a preamp. If you build a bowtie style I would suggest a 4 bay to start, use 9 1/2" whisker lengths and space them 9" apart. Put a wide reflector on it (about 36") and point it NE. You may want to add a preamp but try it without first.

bigredneck · 2009-09-02, 07:02 PM

I have access to heavy guage tie wire used for suspended 2' x 4' lay in ceilings (salvage). It is not copper , will it still work ok for the bows? I'm not sure if it matters about being copper or not. Nine inch spacing at the end of the bowtie I assume. How far apart from center to center( bow ties) on the mast and what depth or spacing would you reccomend from the whiskers to the reflector? I plan to use plexiglass this time to mount the bowties/whiskers on and use a bolt/nut to securely clamp the phase wires in place. I will use solder too, just don't like the way my last antenna was so easily knocked loose while I was handling it. I will check back later, thanks for the help!!!

mclapp · 2009-09-02, 11:23 PM

The 9" spacing is vertically center to center check this diagram out. http://www.frontiernet.net/~mclapp/A...ase%20line.pdf
That ceiling wire will work ok until the connections start to rust, should be good for testing purposes at least.

bigredneck · 2009-09-03, 12:16 AM

Got it, will do this weekend. I also just bought four used antennas at a yard sale. One is very large and in perfect condition. I hooked it up, got only a few channels, no better than the ugly pine bow tie. My real reason to purchase was for the parts. I now can build with aluminum parts and make a stronger better looking unit. Total cost $15 usd.

Thanks again for all the help !!

mclapp · 2009-09-03, 10:56 AM

I've made some nice reflector elements out of old VHF antennas. The one in this picture uses flat metal driven elements instead of bowties but the reflector is made of tubing from an old VHF antenna and works equally well behind either.

bigredneck · 2009-10-04, 10:12 AM

Hey guys, being self employed, I have to take work when i get it. We had lots of weekend work lately, slowing back down now.

I have a question, what if i use the aluminum rods from the old antennas i bought for the whiskers? I could flaten the ends, drill them and use aluminum pop rivets for connections. This would lessen the oxidation on the conections. Would this be as good as copper?

Thanks for your help.

mclapp · 2009-10-04, 10:53 AM

That should be good most commercial/consumer antennas are aluminum and riveted together. Because of the very very low currents involved it only takes a very small connection point to make a good connection.

bigredneck · 2009-10-04, 10:58 AM

Good thats what I'll try first. I have a lot of parts to work with.

Xauto · 2009-10-04, 12:17 PM

bigredneck: I would use 14" as the space between the whiskers and the reflector,and the reflector should be 32" to 36" wide. You are trying to make a UHF antenna pick up VHF-HI.

bigredneck · 2010-02-14, 11:08 PM

It's been a while since last post, but I have now built six of these. Great results. My best looking ones are built from used older antennas. I bought some at yard sale and I posted wanted on local free ads.If i go take them down most people are glad to give them away. I drill out the rivets and relocate the parts and cut to fit.

2009-08-27, 05:41 PM	#1
bigredneck Join Date: Jul 2009 Location: South Arkansas Posts: 196	Bowtie Reflector Antenna for Little Rock, Arkansas? I found the bowtie on you tube first. I built it. Looks like crap but works better than two different store bought ones. The second and third don't work any better but they do look better. Went from pine 1 x 6 to 1" pvc. Built more for widow neighbor lady and mother-in-law. They work better than their store bought ones too. My problem is i live in the woods, in a valley and 40 to 50 miles from the stations I want to see in the Little Rock Area. Would the GH antenna do better for me than the bowtie? I will go to tvfool and post my info. Also , i really enjoy this website, I don't any of the technical lingo you guys throw around, but I can follow directions.

2009-08-27, 07:42 PM	#2
bigredneck Join Date: Jul 2009 Location: South Arkansas Posts: 196	Can't make tvfool do what I want I don't know how to make tvfool show up in this forum, so here's my info if anybody has an idea, latitude 34.3657 longitude -92.9810. Any ideas as to what antenna would work is appreciated.

2009-09-01, 06:06 PM	#4
bigredneck Join Date: Jul 2009 Location: South Arkansas Posts: 196	holl ands http://www.tvfool.com/?option=com_wr...aeade27559d2f0 Here is the info from tvfool. I don't remember which you tube it was, but it was 14 inch wires bent to 7 inches with a 3 inch space between the ends. Attached to a pine one by six. looks like hell but worked better than i thought it would. I live near the base of a mountain and reception is poor. I am willing to do a tower if necessary, but I will need to get some good advice from you guys before i start. I have installed an fta ku band dish for a few channels, but I want the new local ota digital channels that are now available. sat service doesn't offer them ! Thanks for the help.

2009-10-04, 10:12 AM	#11
bigredneck Join Date: Jul 2009 Location: South Arkansas Posts: 196	I'm not giving up, just busy ! Hey guys, being self employed, I have to take work when i get it. We had lots of weekend work lately, slowing back down now. I have a question, what if i use the aluminum rods from the old antennas i bought for the whiskers? I could flaten the ends, drill them and use aluminum pop rivets for connections. This would lessen the oxidation on the conections. Would this be as good as copper? Thanks for your help.

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2009-08-28, 12:22 AM	#3
holl_ands Veteran Join Date: Nov 2008 Location: San Diego, CA Posts: 1,599	Which UTube Video? The (too small, no reflector) one by babblin5 or a Super-Sized M4??? To post TVFool results, SELECT and then COPY the URL at the top of your browser (begins http://www.tvfool.......) and then simply PASTE it into a post.

2009-09-01, 09:57 PM	#5
holl_ands Veteran Join Date: Nov 2008 Location: San Diego, CA Posts: 1,599	Sounds like the notorious, yet very popular UTube video posted by babblin5 (with 5.75-in between bowties). So there is LOTS of room for improvement.... For NBC & FOX could be difficult even with an outdoor antenna and Preamp...and you MIGHT also get ABC. Stronger stations should be easier and fergit about the weaker ones....

2009-09-02, 12:28 PM	#6
mclapp Join Date: Aug 2008 Location: Upstate NY Posts: 597	I've had good luck with reception on stations that TV fool list in the negitive NM numbers if used outdoors with a preamp. If you build a bowtie style I would suggest a 4 bay to start, use 9 1/2" whisker lengths and space them 9" apart. Put a wide reflector on it (about 36") and point it NE. You may want to add a preamp but try it without first.

2009-09-02, 07:02 PM	#7
bigredneck Join Date: Jul 2009 Location: South Arkansas Posts: 196	I have access to heavy guage tie wire used for suspended 2' x 4' lay in ceilings (salvage). It is not copper , will it still work ok for the bows? I'm not sure if it matters about being copper or not. Nine inch spacing at the end of the bowtie I assume. How far apart from center to center( bow ties) on the mast and what depth or spacing would you reccomend from the whiskers to the reflector? I plan to use plexiglass this time to mount the bowties/whiskers on and use a bolt/nut to securely clamp the phase wires in place. I will use solder too, just don't like the way my last antenna was so easily knocked loose while I was handling it. I will check back later, thanks for the help!!!

2009-09-02, 11:23 PM	#8
mclapp Join Date: Aug 2008 Location: Upstate NY Posts: 597	The 9" spacing is vertically center to center check this diagram out. http://www.frontiernet.net/~mclapp/A...ase%20line.pdf That ceiling wire will work ok until the connections start to rust, should be good for testing purposes at least.

2009-09-03, 12:16 AM	#9
bigredneck Join Date: Jul 2009 Location: South Arkansas Posts: 196	Got it, will do this weekend. I also just bought four used antennas at a yard sale. One is very large and in perfect condition. I hooked it up, got only a few channels, no better than the ugly pine bow tie. My real reason to purchase was for the parts. I now can build with aluminum parts and make a stronger better looking unit. Total cost $15 usd. Thanks again for all the help !!

2009-09-03, 10:56 AM	#10
mclapp Join Date: Aug 2008 Location: Upstate NY Posts: 597	I've made some nice reflector elements out of old VHF antennas. The one in this picture uses flat metal driven elements instead of bowties but the reflector is made of tubing from an old VHF antenna and works equally well behind either.

2009-10-04, 10:53 AM	#12
mclapp Join Date: Aug 2008 Location: Upstate NY Posts: 597	That should be good most commercial/consumer antennas are aluminum and riveted together. Because of the very very low currents involved it only takes a very small connection point to make a good connection.

2009-10-04, 10:58 AM	#13
bigredneck Join Date: Jul 2009 Location: South Arkansas Posts: 196	Good thats what I'll try first. I have a lot of parts to work with.

2009-10-04, 12:17 PM	#14
Xauto Join Date: Sep 2008 Posts: 487	bigredneck: I would use 14" as the space between the whiskers and the reflector,and the reflector should be 32" to 36" wide. You are trying to make a UHF antenna pick up VHF-HI.

2010-02-14, 11:08 PM	#15
bigredneck Join Date: Jul 2009 Location: South Arkansas Posts: 196	It's been a while since last post, but I have now built six of these. Great results. My best looking ones are built from used older antennas. I bought some at yard sale and I posted wanted on local free ads.If i go take them down most people are glad to give them away. I drill out the rivets and relocate the parts and cut to fit.