Digital television is broadcast in the UHF range. Therefore, you can use almost any UHF antenna. But I needed simple, easily repeatable and strong UHF antenna range.
Such that you could carry it with you, and on occasion you wouldn’t mind giving it to people for a small amount.
The basis was taken from the famous “ eight“, with the difference that I used it without a reflector.
The material for the antenna sheet can be any conductive material of suitable cross-section. It can be copper or aluminum wire with a thickness of 1 to 5 mm, a tube, strip, busbar, corner, profile... I took copper wire with a diameter of 3 mm. Easy to solder, easy to bend during assembly, easy to straighten if bent.
The outer side of the square is 14 cm, the inner side is slightly smaller - 13 cm due to the fact that the middle of the two squares does not converge, about 2 cm from corner to corner.
So, if you are not making an antenna from wire, then measure it this way - the top sides are 14 cm, the sides are 13.
All sizes are approximate. Don't be afraid to get shortchanged or make mistakes. Our plans do not include making an antenna that meets all standards. We need a simple but workhorse. A surrogate, but reliable. Surrogate because:
1
. Personally, I definitely couldn’t keep the sizes.
2
. There is no reflector.
3
. I took a 50 ohm cable instead of 75 ohm, but with a thick braid. Friends usually used this cable for car antennas for 27 MHz radio stations.
Nevertheless, the antenna works quite well.
A digital signal has a peculiarity; it either exists or it doesn’t. When receiving analog television, different channels were shown with different levels of interference, and when removed, the level of snow on the screen simply increased until the signal disappeared completely. In digital, the signal is almost the same on all channels, and if there is reception, then there is all channels.
I have tested this antenna on more than a dozen TVs in our region.
So. We measure a piece with a total length of 112 cm and bend the wire. The first section is 13 cm + 1 cm for the loop (for strength). The second and third are 14 cm each, the fourth and heels are 13 cm each, the sixth and seventh are 14 cm each, and the last eighth is 13 cm + 1 cm stiffening loop.
We strip 1.5 - 2 cm at both ends, twist the two loops behind each other, and then solder the joint. This will be one cable connection pin. After 2 cm another. It doesn’t matter where to solder the central core or the braid.
Solder spacing 2 cm
I took about three meters of cable. In most cases, it’s enough if you don’t do it for yourself personally. For yourself, measure out as much as you need.
I stripped the cable from the antenna side by two centimeters, to the plug - 1 cm. If the plug is like in the photo. You can take any, stronger.
Stripping the cable
The plug was cleaned with a file and a scalpel.
After sealing, both soldering points are filled with glue from a gun. On the plug, first hot glue is poured into the soldering area and into the plastic cap, with a reserve; the excess can then be removed. Then, before the glue cools down, everything quickly comes together. You can’t gnaw such a joint with your teeth. Reliable, at the same time elastic.
The soldering on the antenna itself is also filled with glue, but for the rigidity of the structure, a frame is taken - any lid, box, .... I took the cap from a 20-liter water bottle, of which I had accumulated a sufficient amount. If you are making an antenna like me for mass production, then it is better to immediately use common materials that are literally lying under your feet for better repeatability of the antenna. If the antenna is made in a single copy for quick riveting, then you don’t have to fill anything at all.
The result is such a design that can be stuck anywhere - on a cornice, on a curtain, on a window frame. To do this, you can carry with you a piece of wire, a couple of screws, a couple of pins...
Antenna assembly
If the antenna is dented during transfer, it can be easily and without damage aligned. This is perhaps its main advantage.
I don’t always carry this design with me, but only when I receive a specific order to connect a DVB-T2 digital television tuner. It fits easily with the tool in my backpack.
It is more convenient to make several antennas at once. Takes less time.
This is how my friend fixed the antenna, using it as an outdoor one. The tower is about 9 km away. Reception is reliable despite the simplicity of the antenna.
Digital television these days continues to spread every day. Providers offer their services in this area by selling expensive devices. However, you can “catch” terrestrial digital television using a homemade antenna.
We invite you to watch a video on making an antenna:
So, we will need:
- decimeter antenna;
- calculator;
- antenna cable;
- cable connector;
- ruler
First of all, it should be noted that to receive digital TV channels you need a TV that supports the DVB-T2 format, otherwise the antenna will not fulfill its purpose. It should also be clarified that providers often advertise so-called digital antennas, which are allegedly created specifically for receiving digital TV channels. This is not true, since you can catch such channels even with a wire. Now that you've sorted out the materials and the introductory part, you can get to work.
Next, we find our district or city on the website to find out the advisory support center or, more simply put, the broadcasting center. The next thing is to call the support center and find out on which channel the digital television is broadcast. The author, for example, broadcasts on channel 27. At the end of this stage, we find out the channel frequency.
Now, using a calculator and a special formula, we have to find out the required length of our antenna. The formula is extremely simple: 7500 must be divided by the number of channel frequencies. The author’s channel frequency is exactly 522000 kHz, that is, you need to divide 7500 by 522. It turns out to be approximately 14.3. We round the result obtained after division and get the length of the antenna in centimeters.
Next, take a regular antenna cable, strip it on one side and insert the connector.
The next thing is to take a ruler and measure the result obtained by dividing, leaving 2 centimeters at the base. That is, if the author needs a cable 14 centimeters long, he measures 2+14 cm.
Cut off the end. After this, we make a cut on the base line and clean it to the edge. We remove the cable protection because we don’t need it. We also cut off the foil.
After this, we bend the cable at the base line at a right angle. The antenna is ready. All that remains is to install it outside so that it faces the transmitting antenna. It is worth noting here that if the distance from the transmitting antenna is more than 15 km, then you will have to use an antenna amplifier.
T2 digital television is actively entering our lives. Today, many homes already have antennas installed to receive such a signal. But what about those who live in the suburbs or in a rented apartment? The solution is quite simple - this is a homemade antenna for T2, which can become an inexpensive and reliable alternative to a factory-made product.
DIY TV antennas
In order to catch digital terrestrial television, first of all, you need to have a supporting new digital format TV, and then you won’t have to buy a special set-top box.
In addition, an indoor or outdoor decimeter antenna is required. You should not believe those who say that the device must be digital or something else. You can simply make a TV antenna with your own hands from scrap materials, resulting in a powerful device that will perfectly receive the signal.
Simple do-it-yourself decimeter antenna
Before preparing materials for the manufacture of the device, it is necessary to calculate its future length. To do this, you need to find out the frequency at which digital broadcasting takes place and apply a special formula: divide 7500 by the frequency in Megahertz and round the result.
A decimeter TV antenna is made from a regular 75-ohm television coaxial cable and standard connector.
After all the correct actions have been carried out, the search for channels will begin. If the repeater is located in an area up to fifteen kilometers from the house, then the signal will be received well and an amplifier will not be required. If the distance is greater, then the use of an amplifier is necessary.
Do-it-yourself digital figure-of-eight antenna
In order to ensure that the signal quality is good, you can make a more complex homemade television antenna for TV.
To make it you will need to prepare:
- TV cable;
- a box;
- roulette;
- foil;
- glue;
- scotch.
The bottom of the box (for example, a shoe box) will need to be well coated with glue and completely covered with foil. In this case, it is necessary to ensure that the foil does not rise anywhere.
While the foil is sticking, you need to cut off two pieces of 50 centimeters each from the cable, and strip the ends of the insulation by carefully cutting off the outer sheath with a knife. Having bent the braid to the side at all ends, bend the segments into a circle so that they do not close completely. The distance between them should be approximately 1 centimeter.
Secure the resulting figure eight with tape to the lid of the box. In this case, you need to make sure that the stripped ends are located next to each other. The cable on the box should hold well, so there is no need to skimp on tape. The antenna frame is ready.
Now follows prepare the main cable, which will connect to the TV.
All that remains is to mount the connector for the TV. To do this, at the remaining end of the television cable you need to remove the insulation, squeeze out and cut off the braid, and remove the foil. Then, stepping back half a centimeter from the braid, remove the internal insulation of the core.
The television connector must be screwed onto the prepared cable so that the insulated core is not visible in the wide part. After this, from the edge of the connector you should retreat half a centimeter and bite off the excess part of the core, insert the second part of the connector and screw it on.
The cable and antenna are ready. Having installed the device in a convenient place, you need to point it towards the TV transmitter, connect the cable and turn on the TV. The antenna should work well and the TV should show no interference.
Homemade antenna made from cans
An antenna that will catch not one or two channels, but as many as seven or eight can be made from the simplest tin cans. To make it you will need to prepare:
First of all you should prepare the cable, removing the top layer from it at a distance of 10 centimeters from the beginning. The wiring inside the cable must be unraveled, the foil removed from under it, and one centimeter of the stripped layer cut off. You need to put a plug on the other end of the wire.
Now follows prepare the jars. Attach the cable core to the rings of one of them, and part of the unraveled wires to the other. If there are no rings, then you can screw self-tapping screws into the cans and wrap wires around them, treating the surface with a soldering iron.
After this, the jars need to be used with adhesive tape. attach to hanger. The distance between them should be 75 millimeters, the cans should be placed in one straight line.
The homemade television antenna is ready. Now you need to connect it to the TV using a plug and find a place for it where the signal will be best received.
Indoor TV antenna “Rhombus”
This design is a diamond-shaped frame, can be manufactured quickly and easily, and receives digital television signals confidently and easily. For it you will need to prepare a copper or aluminum rod about 180 centimeters long.
There should be two diamonds. One will act as a reflector, and the second as a vibrator. The side of the frame should be approximately 14 centimeters, and the distance between them should be about 10 centimeters.
After the rhombus is made, between the two ends of the rod it is necessary to install a dielectric. Its size and shape can be arbitrary. The main thing is to ensure that the distance between the rods is about two centimeters.
Now the upper parts of the frames need to be connected, and a cable must be connected to the copper or brass petals attached to the antenna terminal.
If the repeater is located far away or the resulting device will pick up a weak signal quality, then it will be possible add amplifier. The result will be an active decimeter antenna for TV, which can be used not only in the city, but also in the country.
Of course, such devices for receiving a television signal will not have an elegant design, but with their help you can enjoy your favorite programs.
Digital technologies are already sweeping the country, and many are trying to buy TVs that support this format. But if this is not possible, there is another way out - making the antenna yourself. With a little theoretical and practical training, almost anyone can do this.
How to make it yourself dvb - antenna
Digital technologies involve the transmission of images and sound through digital video encodings. It differs from analog equipment in that interference practically does not interfere with the signal, so it arrives at the receiver device with minimal losses.
Today there are already 20 channels of this type. To be able to connect to it, it is not necessary to have special equipment. In this case, we are talking about receiving a high-quality signal, for which it will be enough to have a television cable. It is also called coaxial. 
To receive a digital signal you need a decimeter antenna. It’s very easy to do it yourself – you only need an antenna cable. But the main thing is not to make mistakes in the calculations. The procedure is as follows:
- Take a 30 cm antenna cable and connectors (male/female and F-connector).
- Prepare wire cutters, a tape measure (at worst, a ruler), a knife and a calculator.
- Next you will need a computer with an Internet connection. On the digital television website, find a coverage map of dvb channels, determine which one is closest to your city. There is a search form there.
- Find a station, find out the detailed frequencies on which it operates.
- Several channels and frequencies for them may be indicated there. The antenna length is calculated by dividing 7500 by the frequency. For example, if the channel frequency is 754 MHz, the result is 7500:754=9.94. Thus, it turns out that a homemade dvb antenna should be about 10 cm long. If there are several stations, the average length is determined.
- You need to attach the F-connector to the end of the antenna wire yourself. It's easy - the cable is stripped and the connector is screwed on top. It is necessary that there is a central wire in the middle, and the foil with the wires is at the attachment point.
- Then move a few centimeters away from the connector, then measure another 10 and cut off what is unnecessary.
- The plastic insulation and “screen” (wires with foil) are removed from the remaining cable, and the antenna is ready. Now the question is connecting it.
There is another manufacturing method, which is also simple and requires a minimum of available materials: a board approximately 550x70 mm, self-tapping screws, copper wire (40 cm in length, central core 4 mm in diameter). A blank is made from wood. 8 wires, each 375 mm long, stripped in the middle by approximately 30 mm, thus ensuring good conditions for signal reception. Then you need to cut two wires 220 mm long, and clean the joints according to the size of the board. The remaining wires are bent in a “V” shape.
A special plug connects the antenna and cable (the plug can be purchased separately). The wire is secured to the plug with a tabletop soldering iron. The homemade antenna is ready.
The third method will require:
A small cut is made in the cable sheath, 10 cm from the edge, twist the covering “foil”, cutting off the middle layer by 10 mm. 
At the opposite end, install a plug to connect to the TV. A cable is attached to one of the cans, the middle of the wire is screwed to the second, and the best method is soldering; tape is unreliable.
Fix the cans in a straight line on the trempel at a distance of approximately 7-8 cm. Now the device needs to be fixed in the place where the television signal is most clearly received. True, such a device will not be able to pick up many channels, maximum 10.
Feature and dvb connections -antennas
The difficulty may be to find a point in the apartment where the digital television signal would be best received. 
Then sometimes problems arise with inserting the antenna into the set-top box or TV. Options - for example, first insert an extension cord into the console, and then insert the cable into it. At the same time, it should not disturb anyone; ideally, it is generally better to hide it somehow.
Homemade structures of this kind, apparently, do not take much time. So for about 100-400 rubles you can build a digital television device of the dvb standard with your own hands. According to reviews, it works even better than various expensive telescopic devices. True, only for digital TV of one frequency. Not suitable for analog. A high-quality image can be obtained provided that a powerful transmitting station is located no further than 30 km. True, sometimes the distance is reduced even to the range of 5-10 km.
Features of dvb reception
There are also homemade ways to strengthen the signal, especially if the terrain or a large distance from the transmitter (50-100 km) does not allow you to get good digital TV reception. For a high-altitude external antenna, you will need to install a board, and any two-transistor one with a low or medium gain will do. Powerful amplifiers are not required in this case, since the signal is quite distorted. 
The main indicator of the quality of each antenna is its interaction with the air signal. This principle of operation underlies both purchased and homemade antennas. We suggest that you familiarize yourself with recommendations on how to make an antenna for digital TV with your own hands.
Features of modern television
If you compare modern television broadcasts with the broadcasts that existed several years ago, you can find certain differences. First of all, the UHF range is used for television broadcasting. Thus, it is possible to significantly save money and signal reception by the antenna. In addition, in this case, there is also no need for periodic maintenance of antennas.
Also, there are many more television sensors than before, so most television channels are available in almost all places in the country. To ensure television broadcasting in habitable areas, low-power sensors are used.
In big cities, radio waves travel differently. Due to the large number of multi-story buildings, the signal through them is weak. In addition, there are a huge number of television channels, for which one standard television antenna is not enough to receive.
With the development of digital broadcasting, receiving channels has become even easier. These types of antennas are distinguished by their resistance to interference, phase or cable distortion, and image clarity.
Simple DIY digital antenna: device requirements
Since television broadcasting conditions have changed, the rules for operating modern antennas have also changed:
1. One of the main parameters of a television antenna, in the form of directional coefficient and protection coefficient, are not particularly important. To combat various types of interference, various electronic means are used.
2. The coefficient responsible for the antenna gain improves the signal, clears it of extraneous sounds and various types of interference.
3. Another important quality of a modern television antenna is range. Electrical parameters are saved automatically, without additional human intervention.
4. The operating range of the television antenna should interact well with the cable that connects to the antenna.
5. To avoid the appearance of phase distortions, it is necessary to ensure decent antenna characteristics in the amplitude-frequency ratio.
The characteristics of the last three points are determined by the properties of receiving a television signal using an antenna. An antenna operating at one frequency is capable of receiving several wave channels. However, in order for them to be consistent with the feeder, it is necessary to have a USS that strongly absorbs signals.
Therefore, there are certain options for digital antennas available for making at home. We suggest you familiarize yourself with them:
1. All-wave version of the antenna, such devices are frequency independent, they are cheap, and very popular among consumers. One hour is enough to make such an antenna. Such an antenna is perfect for city apartments, but in a populated area that is somewhat distant from television centers, such an antenna will work worse.
2. Speech therapy band version of the antenna - such an antenna picks up certain signals. It has a simple design, is well suited for various operating ranges, and does not change the feeder parameters. It has average technical parameters and is excellent for country houses, dachas, and apartments.
3. Z-shaped antenna, which is also called a zigzag antenna. Making such a structure will require a lot of time and physical effort. It has wide receiving characteristics. With the help of such an antenna it is possible to expand the reception range of television channels.
To achieve precise matching between antennas, it is necessary to lay the cable across the zero potential value.
DIY digital TV antenna: reception characteristics
Vibraton antennas are capable of finding several more digital ones on one analog cantal. Such devices receive wave channels. They are rarely used and are relevant for places remote from television towers.
Making your own satellite dish is a pointless process. Since in this process you will need to purchase a commercial tuner and head, and the alignment of the mirrors must be very accurate, it is almost impossible to achieve it at home. You can only configure such an antenna yourself, but not manufacture it.
In order to make the above antenna options, you need to have a very good understanding of higher mathematics and electrodynamic processes. Among the main characteristics of the terms used in the manufacturing process of television antennas, we note:
1. KU - antenna power, which is determined in the ratio of the received antenna signal to its main lobe.
2. KND - the relationship between the solid circle and the solid angle of the antenna lobes. If there are lobes of different sizes, they change in area.
3. KZD - the ratio between the signal received at the main lobe and the total amount of antenna power.
Please note that if the antenna is a band antenna, then the power is taken into account in relation to the useful signal.
Note that the first two terms are not necessarily interdependent. There are certain antenna options that have high directivity, but unity or less gain. However, a zigzag antenna combines significant gain with a low directivity level.
DIY digital TV antenna: manufacturing technology
Each of the antenna elements, through which the current flows, supplying the useful signal, must be connected to the other by soldering or welding. Any prefabricated unit located outdoors must be well fixed, since the destruction of electronic contact on the street occurs faster than indoors.
Particular attention should be paid to zero potential. It is in these places that voltage nodes and electric current are located at its highest power. Solid bent metal is used to make zero-potential locations.
The braid or core is made from coaxial cable made from copper or an inexpensive alloy with anti-corrosion properties. To solder the cable, a forty-volt soldering machine is used, with low-melting solders and flux paste.
A do-it-yourself outdoor digital antenna is made in such a way that all connections are resistant to moisture, temperature changes and other environmental influences.
To make an all-wave antenna you will need two triangular plates, two slats made of wood and enameled wire. At the same time, the size of the wire in diameter is practically unimportant, and the interval between their ends is about 2-3 cm. The interval between the plates on which the ends of the wire are located is 1 cm. One-sided square-shaped fiberglass coated with foil can replace two metal plates. At the same time, copper triangles should be cut out on it.
The antenna's width should be the same as its height. The canvases open at right angles. In order to lay the cable to this antenna, you must follow a certain diagram. The cable braid is not soldered to the point indicating zero potential. She just gets attached to her.
The CHNA, which stretches 150 cm inside the window, is capable of receiving most meter and DCM channels of any direction. The advantage of this antenna is that it has a wide channel reception interval. Therefore, such antennas are popular in large cities where there are various television centers. However, such an antenna has certain disadvantages - the antenna gain is single, and the gain is zero. Therefore, in the presence of large interference, the antenna will be irrelevant.
It is possible to make other types of digital antennas with your own hands using CNA, for example, a logarithmic spiral of two turns. This version of the antenna is compact and easier to manufacture.
Over-the-air digital antennas made from beer cans
To make a digital antenna with your own hands from a cable, you will need beer cans. This version of the antenna, with the right approach to its manufacture, has good performance characteristics. In addition, such an antenna is quite simple to manufacture.
The operating principle of such an antenna is based on increasing the diameter of the arms on a conventional linear vibrator. In this case, the working band expands, while other properties do not change.
Beer cans, in proportion to their size, are used as arms on the vibrator. At the same time, the expansion of the shoulders is unlimited. This version of a simple vibrator is used as an indoor digital antenna with your own hands to receive television broadcasts by connecting directly via cable.
If you choose the option of assembling a common-mode grating from a beer diopole, located vertically, with a step of half a wave, you will be able to improve the gain value of the antenna. Also, this device must have an antenna amplifier installed, with the help of which the device is coordinated and configured.
To strengthen such an antenna, a CPD is added to it, a screen and a grid are installed on the back of it, with an interval of half a grid. To install a beer antenna, you will need a dielectric mast, while the screen and the mast are connected by a mechanical connection.
At the same time, about three or four rows are arranged on the grid. Two gratings are not capable of achieving high gain.
DIY UHF antenna for digital television
A log-periodic version of the antenna is called a prefabricated antenna, which is connected to the halves on a linear diopole, the interval between them varies in relation to the geometric parameters of the progression. There are configured and free lines. We suggest choosing a longer and smoother version of the antenna.
To manufacture LPA, it is necessary to have any predetermined range. The higher the progression indicators, the greater the gain of the antenna. In terms of operational and technical characteristics, this antenna option is ideal for manufacturing at home.
The main principle of its normal functioning is making correct calculations. With increasing progressive indicators, the gain increases and the directivity angle decreases. This antenna does not require an additional screen. Since it does not depend on its general characteristics.
When calculating a digital LP antenna, use the following recommendations:
- the second longest vibrator must have a reserve of frequency power;
- Next, the longest diopole is calculated;
- After this, another specified frequency range is added.
If the shortest diopole leaves lines, then it is cut off, since it is needed on the antenna only for calculations. The total length of the antenna will be about 40 cm.
The diameter of the lines on the antenna is about 7-16 mm. In this case, the interval between the axes is 40 mm. The cable is not tied to the line externally, as this will negatively affect the technical properties of the antenna.
The outdoor antenna is fixed to the mast using the center of gravity. Otherwise, the antenna will constantly shake under the influence of the wind. However, the metal mast is not connected to the line in a straight line, since a dielectric mast must be provided in this place, the length of which is about 150 cm. A wooden beam, previously painted or varnished, can be used as a dielectric material.
DIY digital antenna video: