Over the past several days I've been using Google and this site to learn about making my own TV antenna. It appears that you guys have done some fantastic work coming up with various designs that all seem to work very well. I'm a bit overwhelmed by all the information and don't really know which way to proceed. I need some guidance.
I have never seen the software you are using for the analysis, so I don't know how to use it (or if I can even run it, I'm using Debian 9), so I'm frustrated with trying to understand what I'm reading. I did finally find a .pdf with pictures and dimensions for building a GH antenna. I picked up some #6 AWG copper and bent it into the shape specified, to try and see what would happen.
At the moment, I've only used it with a short piece of RG-6 with the antenna sitting (vertically) on the floor next to the TV. It does not have a reflector on it. My floor is about 6ft AGL. So far, I haven't been able to pick up the only vhf channel (ch 9) in the area but I am receiving the stronger UHF channels. (I'd like to try and get as many channels as possible, naturally.) The performance is good enough that it makes me want to try and build a "real" antenna but I need some help.
This is my tvfool report
TV Fool
My physical location is out in the woods down a dirt road. I'm surrounded by trees all of which are much taller than the house. The ground (dirt) is relatively wet (I'm in a flood plane). The peak of the roof is approximately 25 ft above the ground and I'm guessing the best I'd be able to do is a mast along the side off the house, not much taller than the peak.
Based upon this info, which antenna would you all suggest I try to build?
Construction questions:
Has anyone used the "L" shaped angle aluminum to make their antennas? Does the "L" shape have an adverse effect? I'm considering the 1/16th thick by 3/4 wide stock.
I've tried to solder pieces together but haven't been able to. I'm not set up to do this, so I expected that result.
I have joined pieces together using aluminum pop rivets. Along a 4ft piece, I'm seeing 0.01 ohms of resistance with my multi-meter. I assume this is negligible and won't affect performance, but correct me if I'm wrong.
Long term strength of the rivet connection I'm unsure of, so I'm considering something like the clear J-B Weld epoxy to reinforce the mechanical connection. I've never tried this before, would epoxy affect the electrical characteristics of the antenna?
I'd like to use some hardware cloth as a reflector to keep construction simpler; please advise if this is not a good idea.
Another nagging question I have (and don't know if its a good idea or not). Has anyone investigated using one reflector between two antennas? The idea being to improve reception in the "opposite" direction. Kinda sorta like an onmi antenna, but hoping for the gain of a directional antenna. I guess I'm envisioning folding a DBGH in half. Comments?
Anything else you want to add that you think I forgot to ask would also be helpful. I don't know what I don't know, so I wouldn't know to ask about it.
I have never seen the software you are using for the analysis, so I don't know how to use it (or if I can even run it, I'm using Debian 9), so I'm frustrated with trying to understand what I'm reading. I did finally find a .pdf with pictures and dimensions for building a GH antenna. I picked up some #6 AWG copper and bent it into the shape specified, to try and see what would happen.
At the moment, I've only used it with a short piece of RG-6 with the antenna sitting (vertically) on the floor next to the TV. It does not have a reflector on it. My floor is about 6ft AGL. So far, I haven't been able to pick up the only vhf channel (ch 9) in the area but I am receiving the stronger UHF channels. (I'd like to try and get as many channels as possible, naturally.) The performance is good enough that it makes me want to try and build a "real" antenna but I need some help.
This is my tvfool report
TV Fool
My physical location is out in the woods down a dirt road. I'm surrounded by trees all of which are much taller than the house. The ground (dirt) is relatively wet (I'm in a flood plane). The peak of the roof is approximately 25 ft above the ground and I'm guessing the best I'd be able to do is a mast along the side off the house, not much taller than the peak.
Based upon this info, which antenna would you all suggest I try to build?
Construction questions:
Has anyone used the "L" shaped angle aluminum to make their antennas? Does the "L" shape have an adverse effect? I'm considering the 1/16th thick by 3/4 wide stock.
I've tried to solder pieces together but haven't been able to. I'm not set up to do this, so I expected that result.
I have joined pieces together using aluminum pop rivets. Along a 4ft piece, I'm seeing 0.01 ohms of resistance with my multi-meter. I assume this is negligible and won't affect performance, but correct me if I'm wrong.
Long term strength of the rivet connection I'm unsure of, so I'm considering something like the clear J-B Weld epoxy to reinforce the mechanical connection. I've never tried this before, would epoxy affect the electrical characteristics of the antenna?
I'd like to use some hardware cloth as a reflector to keep construction simpler; please advise if this is not a good idea.
Another nagging question I have (and don't know if its a good idea or not). Has anyone investigated using one reflector between two antennas? The idea being to improve reception in the "opposite" direction. Kinda sorta like an onmi antenna, but hoping for the gain of a directional antenna. I guess I'm envisioning folding a DBGH in half. Comments?
Anything else you want to add that you think I forgot to ask would also be helpful. I don't know what I don't know, so I wouldn't know to ask about it.