This homemade hdtv antenna design works the same, if not better than most indoor antennas found online and in department stores. For this diy hdtv antenna you’ll need a few household items.
Items needed to make your Homemade HDTV Antenna
- Aluminum foil
- Scissors or box cutter
- 2 popsicle sticks
- 1 foam board or construction paper for firmness (you may also use a plain sheet of copy or striped paper)
- glue ( any glue will work)
- 1 RF Transformer (if you don’t have one just split your coaxial cable and mount directly to your board)
- 2 small screws for securing the rf transformer to the popsicle sticks ( hot glue also works)
- Coaxial cord
Making a Homemade HDTV Antenna
First, take your construction paper or foam board and cut out a 7×7 inch piece. Remember, you can play around with different sizes for the best reception.
Take your aluminum foil and create a layout like the one above. The post or trunks will be our starting point for our branches. Make them 1 inch shorter than your foam board or mounting surface. Make sure the post DO NOT TOUCH each other.
Apply branches no more than 1 inch apart and 1/2 inch wide. For a smoother build place glue on mounting surface and not the aluminum. Let glue dry. I recommend you have at least 4 sets of branches.
Mount your RF transformer to the mounting surface using the 2 screws. The foam board should hold the screws in place. If you’re using construction paper or plain paper use 2 popsicle sticks. One on the front and one on the back. Drive your screw through the sticks for a tight connection.
Attach your coaxial cable and test it out and be sure to let me know how it works. I was able to pick up 10 percent more channels with this design.
