DIY Antenna

[lkg105]

I have had a few attempts at making an antenna, first was the clothes hanger antenna(I used 12 gauge copper wire), and then I tried a gray hoverman. These two would only pick up one digital station that the tower was around 15 miles away. I used two pieces of cooper wire that equaled 32 inches in length and hooked the coax to these without a balun and get 3 stations which equals abut 9 channels. Not sure why this works better. Any suggestions? Thanks

[GroundUrMast]

Can you provide a 4NEC2 model of each, or the dimensions of each? If just dimensions, they need to be detailed enough to exactly replicate the antennas as built.

A TV Fool report would also be needed. Where is the antenna mounted? (Indoors or outdoors? How high? Any obstructions such as trees or buildings?)

[lkg105]

The gray hoverman design was from this webpage https://sites.google.com/site/maycre...-setup/my-sbgh

The other was from this page
http://uhfhdtvantenna.blogspot.com/

Both were outside about 15 foot high. I live on a hill with nothing blocking the antenna.

Here is the tvfool report
http://www.tvfool.com/?option=com_wr...46ae3b296a0315

[GroundUrMast]

If you are intent on building your own antenna, you need to consider a design that supports both UHF and High-VHF. The GH design appears to be an iteration of work done by folks frequenting digitalhome.ca, an impressive design with proven real world UHF performance. The coat hanger antenna is not a terrible antenna design, just not as good as it could be.

Consider the GH4n or larger, it has both UHF and H-VHF capability which is needed in your location. http://clients.teksavvy.com/~nickm/g..._6V9_13u1.html

Then you face the prospect of needing a rotator or multiple antennas.

[Jason l]

All Baluns are not all equal. The bowtie antennas made out of wire work great with certain dimensions and certain stations. East weatherman PDF files. http://m4antenna.eastmasonvilleweath...y/8%20bay.html. I do real well with the 10 inch whiskers 9 1/2 and spacing. I get all of my VHF up to 64 miles away. And UHF up to 74 miles. The 74 miles on UHF is not as steady. I also wonder the same thing why I can hook open coax to my antenna without a balun. And get better results than channel master balun on UHF signals.I also use a Winegard hi gain preamp without the preamp the 68 and 74 mile UHF stations do not work. Winegard 8275 preamp not available on the market