Cheap Wall Antenna.
by Computothought in Circuits > Electronics
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Cheap Wall Antenna.
Simple TV antenna kit. Saw this antenna (lknown as the Walltenna) advertised for about thirty five dollars. We could not see paying that for such a simple design, so we made one ourself. We was surprised how well it worked even for the crude model we made, excepting maybe one station that I really liked to watch.If it looks ugly, you can always cover it with a picture. Last frame is an antenna that has been around for years.Looks familliar
Finally made a sort of very crude "ClearTV" antenna. Yielded over 50 channels/
Finally made a sort of very crude "ClearTV" antenna. Yielded over 50 channels/
Needed
Materials:
1 - Dollar Store baking sheet. (They come two for a dollar).
1 - Tv transformer
1 - 16.25 by 12 inch cardboard piece for a backing plate.
Tape or glue
Tools:
Ruler
Heavy duty scissors.
1 - Dollar Store baking sheet. (They come two for a dollar).
1 - Tv transformer
1 - 16.25 by 12 inch cardboard piece for a backing plate.
Tape or glue
Tools:
Ruler
Heavy duty scissors.
The Base.
Now you need to cut out the center of the pan so you can make the strips for the antenna.
The Pieces
You will want to score the aluminium and then cut out the pieces as shown in the picture.
8 - 7 inch long pieces
2 - 2 inch long pieces
2 - 6 inch long pieces
2 - 9 inch long pieces (You will eventually probably shorten them.
8 - 7 inch long pieces
2 - 2 inch long pieces
2 - 6 inch long pieces
2 - 9 inch long pieces (You will eventually probably shorten them.
The Backplate.
You will want to cut out a 12 x 16.25 inch backgound to hold the antenna pieces. We used simple cardboard.
Laying the Pieces Down.
The seven inch long antennae with a 3 inch width is pretty much a standard. Used the same dimensions in the first antenna we made. Lots of prior art with this pattern.
Take two of the 7 inch pieces and form am arrow with a 3 inch width at one of the long corners.
Repreat this step at the other three corners with the remaining six 7 inch pieces.
Note: All metal contact points that intersect must not be glued.
Take two of the 7 inch pieces and form am arrow with a 3 inch width at one of the long corners.
Repreat this step at the other three corners with the remaining six 7 inch pieces.
Note: All metal contact points that intersect must not be glued.
Remaining Connectors.
Add (attach) the remaing connectors. The 9 inch pieces will connect the arrows. You may have to thrm them a bit.
The six inch pieces go in the center,
The 2 inch pieces will connect the six inch pieces to the 9 inch piecees.
Attach your transformer to the bottom poings on the six inch pieces.
The six inch pieces go in the center,
The 2 inch pieces will connect the six inch pieces to the 9 inch piecees.
Attach your transformer to the bottom poings on the six inch pieces.
Tada!
Hook the antenna to your tv. You will probably want to rescan for the available stations. We still have the old converter box, but rescanning the stations still applies. Happy free tv watching. Success of the antenna will vary depending on the number of stations in your area. We get over 100 digital television stations.
Note: Lot of glare so the pictures did not come out well. Updated pictures later.
Some of the other antennas we have made.
Note: Lot of glare so the pictures did not come out well. Updated pictures later.
Some of the other antennas we have made.