Chapter 9 Electromagnetic Waves
9.10 (optional) How to make a digital TV Antenna for under $10
Aluminum Foil Antenna
I “cut the cable” years ago and I use an antenna I made out of aluminum foil to get about 15 high definition televisions stations in the Vancouver, BC, Canada area. Here is a picture of the one that I use, and a link to the instructions. https://www.htpc-diy.com/2012/04/diy-flexible-fractal-window-hdtv.html
Direct link: < https://www.htpc-diy.com/2012/04/diy-flexible-fractal-window-hdtv.html >
Coat Hanger Antenna
Here is a different link for even simpler instructions using the wire from a coat hanger to make an antenna. Direct link: <https://sqwabb.wordpress.com/2017/02/12/free-your-tv-make-a-digital-antenna-for-under-10/ > I have not made it yet, but I do plan to do so this summer.
https://sqwabb.wordpress.com/2017/02/12/free-your-tv-make-a-digital-antenna-for-under-10/
Gray-Hoverman Antenna
If you want to learn more and make bigger and better antenna, here is a great place to start.
https://www.digitalhome.ca/ota/superantenna/
Doyt R. Hoverman’s original design for a television antenna was granted US patents #2918672 on 22 Dec 1959 and #3148371 on 8 Sept 1964, which expired in 1979 and 1984 respectively. To view them, click on this link and then simply enter the patent number mentioned above to retrieve each.
This project is dedicated to Doyt R. Hoverman (b.1913), the man who created and did the early work on the Hoverman antenna at a time when antenna modelling programs did not exist. His work would have been entirely created and improved by field testing, trial and error, and with a great amount of calculation without the benefit of electronic devices. Without his efforts, our work would not have been. Doyt Hoverman passed away in December, 1989 at Van Wert, Ohio, USA.
Please note that these are plans are free and legal to copy and distribute. As stated, the Gray-Hoverman antenna designs, schematics, and diagrams on this site are Copyright ©2008 and are free: you can redistribute them and/or modify them under the terms of the GNU General Public License as published by the Free Software Foundation, either version 3 of the License, or (at our option) any later version.