Joined
·
89 Posts
I would like to do so.
What's the best way to build a dream antenna?
- Status
1 - 14 of 14 Posts
Read all the stickies (the posts pinned to the top of the page) in this forum and the parent forum first. Then read them again. There is a wealth of information available here to get you started.
At some point you'll want to get your hands dirty and start building. Chances are your first antenna won't be your dream antenna. There will be improvements that you can make here and there. You'll wake up 3 in the morning with an AHA moment and can't wait to try it out and that's when not only your are dreaming about antennas, but you'll get closer to your dream antenna.
At some point you'll want to get your hands dirty and start building. Chances are your first antenna won't be your dream antenna. There will be improvements that you can make here and there. You'll wake up 3 in the morning with an AHA moment and can't wait to try it out and that's when not only your are dreaming about antennas, but you'll get closer to your dream antenna.
Joined
·
2,410 Posts
Ahh yes,.. those 3am brainstorms. With me it's more like hiccups, AHA!, AHA!, AHA!, AHA!, AHA!, and then I can't get back to sleep until I've gone to the shop to try something new.
________________
thumbsdown,
Try here and see if any of these DIY ideas strike a spark!
http://www.digitalhome.ca/forum/showthread.php?t=119489
________________
thumbsdown,
Try here and see if any of these DIY ideas strike a spark!
http://www.digitalhome.ca/forum/showthread.php?t=119489
Joined
·
89 Posts
Can you build an outdoor antenna for under 20 bucks?
Joined
·
2,410 Posts
The following antennas are good for channels 7 VHF up to 51 UHF.
You could build yourself a Stealth Hawk for under $20. Good omni directional characteristics.
Go to http://www.digitalhome.ca/forum/showthread.php?t=123803
You could build a simple aperture type antenna for under $20. using some mesh screen. Almost as good as a 4221 design.
Go to http://www.digitalhome.ca/forum/showthread.php?t=127205
You could build yourself a Stealth Hawk for under $20. Good omni directional characteristics.
Go to http://www.digitalhome.ca/forum/showthread.php?t=123803
You could build a simple aperture type antenna for under $20. using some mesh screen. Almost as good as a 4221 design.
Go to http://www.digitalhome.ca/forum/showthread.php?t=127205
I've tried many different antennas and antenna combinations. I have come to the conclusion that the Stealth Hawk antenna is the best. One of the reasons is because it is small and light and that allows you to mount it higher than bulkier and heavier antennas. Mount it as high as possible.
Heh, the OP didn't ask which is the best antenna. Just the best way to build a dream antenna. Everyone has different requirements. I have no idea what the OP's requirements are except for building under $20?
Nobody knows where he/she lives so I have no idea how anyone can recommend an antenna. Is he or she handy? Perhaps modifying a commercial antenna is the best rather than building from scratch.
I still think the best way is to read the information in the stickies to learn more before just building an antenna. Maybe not as much fun as just building and learning as you go but I would have saved quite a bit of time and money doing a little more reading before building. I don't regret doing all that building, it was quite enjoyable - just wasn't the best way to do it.
My next antenna I build will be my dream antenna.
Nobody knows where he/she lives so I have no idea how anyone can recommend an antenna. Is he or she handy? Perhaps modifying a commercial antenna is the best rather than building from scratch.
I still think the best way is to read the information in the stickies to learn more before just building an antenna. Maybe not as much fun as just building and learning as you go but I would have saved quite a bit of time and money doing a little more reading before building. I don't regret doing all that building, it was quite enjoyable - just wasn't the best way to do it.
My next antenna I build will be my dream antenna.
Joined
·
2,410 Posts
thumbsdown's posted requirements:
- Dream antenna ?
- Outdoor antenna ?
- Under $20 ?
= the best 'dream' outdoor antenna that can be built for under $20 bucks.
= stealth hawk antenna or an aperture type antenna. per plans available on this DH forum!
- Dream antenna ?
- Outdoor antenna ?
- Under $20 ?
= the best 'dream' outdoor antenna that can be built for under $20 bucks.
= stealth hawk antenna or an aperture type antenna. per plans available on this DH forum!
Perhaps I'm being too analytical, but it's my nature. When I see the term dream antenna it's too vague of a term for me to start thinking of what it could be.
For example, my personal dream antenna has these characteristics
- small and compact - it has to fit outside my apartment window and be discreet
- high gain on channel 14 as well as high gain on 64,65,66. These are my weakest stations. I need about 12dbi for channel 14. Seem 7-8 dbi on 64-66 brings these in except on tropo nights I start to loose them
- not too directional because all my target digital stations are within 45 degrees, the weakest stations being 45 degrees apart
- directional enough to reduce the gain on my locals which are not in the 45 degree target digital stations
My current antenna fits all the criteria except the gain on channel 14 is too low to bring it in.
---------
Your dream antenna is different from mine.
--------
Money is a value factor. I'm sure if a $22 dollar antenna would bring in double the stations the money requirement would be flexible. A $400 dollar that brings in one more station probably wouldn't.
For example, my personal dream antenna has these characteristics
- small and compact - it has to fit outside my apartment window and be discreet
- high gain on channel 14 as well as high gain on 64,65,66. These are my weakest stations. I need about 12dbi for channel 14. Seem 7-8 dbi on 64-66 brings these in except on tropo nights I start to loose them
- not too directional because all my target digital stations are within 45 degrees, the weakest stations being 45 degrees apart
- directional enough to reduce the gain on my locals which are not in the 45 degree target digital stations
My current antenna fits all the criteria except the gain on channel 14 is too low to bring it in.
---------
Your dream antenna is different from mine.
--------
Money is a value factor. I'm sure if a $22 dollar antenna would bring in double the stations the money requirement would be flexible. A $400 dollar that brings in one more station probably wouldn't.
Joined
·
600 Posts
Ontop, and surrounding by a bunch of "dreamy" bikini clad babes...hmmm *cough*
"oh yes dear, I forgot!"
Sorry guys, this dream image will have to wait...gotta take out the trash, and do the rest of the "Honey to-do" list.
Joined
·
89 Posts
How do you mount a DIY antenna on your roof?
Grab a coffee, read the FAQ and you'll not only get the answer to your question, but will get information about stuff you never thought of that will help you get the most out of OTA reception.
http://www.digitalhome.ca/forum/showthread.php?t=41102
Mounting an antenna is covered in post #20 in that thread.
http://www.digitalhome.ca/forum/showthread.php?t=41102
Mounting an antenna is covered in post #20 in that thread.
Using our site's full OTA resources
thumbsdown, as you can see from the replies you've been given, we need you to do a LOT of reading here at this site to get up to speed. The reason we do that is because there is already so much great information and knowledge posted here and divided up into appropriate threads that there is no point in going over it all again. For example, there is an entire thread dedicated solely to OTA antenna mounts. Others cover a wide variety of topics that are narrowed down in order to aid research and decision-making.
thumbsdown, as you can see from the replies you've been given, we need you to do a LOT of reading here at this site to get up to speed. The reason we do that is because there is already so much great information and knowledge posted here and divided up into appropriate threads that there is no point in going over it all again. For example, there is an entire thread dedicated solely to OTA antenna mounts. Others cover a wide variety of topics that are narrowed down in order to aid research and decision-making.
1 - 14 of 14 Posts
- Status
Join the discussion
