A simple DIY TV antenna. DIY digital dvb-t2 antenna

If you suddenly need a television antenna while staying at the dacha or on vacation, and you don’t have a factory model at hand, you can do without your favorite TV programs, but it’s much more interesting and faster to make such a device yourself. It can be made to receive certain channels in the meter or decimeter range. Next, we will look at how to make a TV antenna with your own hands in several ways, from which you can choose the most suitable one for yourself.

A fairly simple version of an indoor antenna that can easily be implemented at home in a short period of time. Designed to receive television channels broadcast in the UHF range. To make it, you will need a piece of coaxial cable, plywood or other sheet material as a base, electrical tape for fixing, a knife and a soldering iron.

Rice. 1: Coaxial cable antenna

• Take a piece of coaxial cable 0.53 m long and bend it into a ring shape (1) with open edges and fix it in this shape on a sheet of plywood;
• From the same cable, cut a piece 0.175 m long for the loop (2) and connect as shown in the figure.
• Connect the cable (3), at the other end of which install a connector for connecting to the TV.

The simplest antenna is ready, but it may not be enough to receive the signal, so you will need an active amplification unit. Or make a more complex figure-eight model.

Figure-of-eight antenna

A fairly simple version of a homemade antenna, it can be assembled within a few minutes. To do this, you will need any cardboard box, in this case you will use a shoe box, a plug, a utility knife, a soldering iron, tape, foil and glue.

The manufacturing process consists of sequentially performing the following steps:

• Open the box and clean the inner surface of accumulated dust and debris; if there is none, you can immediately proceed to pasting.
• Apply a thin layer of glue to the bottom of the box; it is important that it does not change the geometric parameters of the foil located on it. Cover the bottom with foil - it will act as a signal reflector.
  Rice. 2. Cover the bottom of the box with foil
• Close the box and seal it with tape so that it cannot open spontaneously.
• Place two pieces of cable on the cover in the shape of a figure eight, the sides of which are secured with tape.
  Rice. 3: make a figure eight and secure with tape
• In the middle of the figure eight, strip the cable and make two leads from the metal braid to connect the antenna.
  Rice. 4: in the middle of the figure eight, trim the ends
• Cut a piece of conductor to connect the antenna to the TV; its length is selected in accordance with the distance from the installation site to the TV or.
• Strip one end of the connecting cord under the connector, strip the other in such a way as to assemble the lead from the screen and the lead from the central core through 1 - 2 cm of insulation.
  Rice. 5: Strip the cable
• Connect the cable leads to the figure eight pins as shown in the figure.
  Rice. 6: Connect the cable leads to the figure eight pins

Connect the TV connector to the second end and connect to the TV.

The G8 antenna is ready for use; today it will be an excellent replacement for satellite television, since the picture of a digital signal is in no way inferior to it.

Double and triple square

Unlike the previous version, assembling an antenna in the shape of a double and triple square will require significantly more effort. But such a device will allow you to receive even weak television signals, the main thing is to ensure precise orientation to the repeater. At the same time, the quality does not depend on the distance to the source; the main thing is to maintain the overall dimensions. To make it you will need: metal tubes (copper, brass, aluminum) or rods, a dielectric rod, a wooden base for the supporting structure, connecting wires.

Depending on the diameter of the tubes, the antenna will be able to receive a different number of channels in a certain frequency range:

• 10 – 20mm is suitable for reception in the meter range, can catch from 1 to 5 channels.
• 8 – 15mm is suitable for reception in the meter range, can catch from 6 to 12 channels.
• 3 – 6mm is suitable for channels in the decimeter range.

Rice. 7: double and triple square antenna diagram

As you can see in the figure, structurally, a double and triple square consists of two and three frames of regular shape, differing in size. Depending on the overall dimensions, the received wavelength will also change.

Wavelength	1	2	3	4	5	6	7	8	9	10	11	12
IN	1450	1220	930	840	770	410	390	370	360	345	330	320
R	1630	1370	1050	950	870	460	440	420	405	390	375	360
A	900	760	580	530	480	250	240	230	220	210	210	200
Sh	1500	1260	970	880	800	430	410	390	375	360	350	335

Channels, pcs.	IN	R	A	Sh
21-26	158	170	91	152
27 – 32	144	155	83	139
33 – 40	131	141	75	126
41 – 49	117	126	68	113
50 – 60	105	113	60	101

For a triple square, the dimensions are shown in the table below

Table: dependence of dimensions on the received wave of the meter range, mm

Channels	1	2	3	4	5	6	7	8	9	10	11	12
D	1255	1060	825	750	688	370	354	340	325	312	300	290
IN	1485	1260	975	890	812	438	418	400	385	370	357	345
R	1810	1530	1190	1080	990	532	510	488	470	450	435	420
A	630	532	412	375	345	185	177	170	163	157	150	145
B	915	775	600	545	500	270	258	246	237	228	220	210
Sh	1500	1260	970	880	800	430	410	390	375	360	350	335

Table: dependence of dimensions on the received wave of the decimeter range, mm

Channels, pcs.	D	IN	R	A	B	Sh
21-26	134	158	193	67	98	152
27 – 32	122	144	176	61	89	139
33 – 40	110	131	160	55	80	126
41 – 49	99	117	143	50	72	112
50 – 60	89	105	129	45	65	102

The short-circuited bridge shown in the figure is designed to connect a symmetrical frame to an asymmetrical cable and acts as a matching block.

The manufacturing process consists of the following stages:

1. Bend the tube into squares according to the dimensions given;
2. Connect them at the top with an arrow made of conductive material, and at the bottom with an arrow made of dielectric material;
3. Install the outdoor antenna on a wooden base;
4. Cut the cable and separate the braid into a separate terminal;
5. Connect the cable to the antenna, and plug the other end under the antenna plug to transmit television broadcasts to the TV.

The antenna is ready, this option is suitable for outdoor placement, so it is best to install it on the roof or a free-standing support.

From metal cans

If you can find a couple of straight beer cans made of tin or aluminum at home, then you have the opportunity to quickly assemble a good TV receiver. To do this, you need to take two cans of the largest possible volume, a good result will be achieved with a volume of 1 liter, but if they are not available, then 0.5 liters will do, a screwdriver or screwdriver with a pair of screws, a soldering iron, tape, a television cable, a dielectric base material (in this case, a wooden trempel is used).

The process of making an antenna from metal cans consists of the following steps:

Make loops for connection at the terminal of the braid and core.

After installation, you should configure the channels by changing the distance between the banks. The optimal position is selected based on the quality of the signal on the TV. Such an antenna will receive about seven analog TV channels.

In the form of a frame

To make such an antenna you will need aluminum plates, a metal mesh for making a reflector (from a barbecue, for plaster, etc.), bolts with nuts or rivets for fixing frame parts, a cable with a plug for connecting to an indoor TV, a drill, a screwdriver and pliers.

Rice. 10: frame antenna

The antenna manufacturing process is as follows:

• Cut the aluminum strips to the required size and drill holes at the ends for bolt connections.
• Assemble the frame as shown in the figure above, the joints are overlapped. To prevent oxidation of these points, it is advisable to cover them with paint or varnish.
• Connect a television cable with an antenna connector to points A and B on the antenna.
• Attach the frame to the reflector, most importantly, pay attention that the latter does not short-circuit the electrical circuit of the antenna itself.
• Install it on the mast and place it in the designated place.

If the signal turns out to be weak, you can get a more powerful antenna by connecting it to the circuit.

Butterfly shaped

Another version of an all-wave antenna, which allows you to receive a fairly large number of channels in good quality. Due to this, its work can replace the use, but the manufacturing process also requires utmost attention, accuracy and time. Structurally, it will consist of a wooden board and several pieces of copper wire with a 4mm core, bent in the shape of butterfly wings, which is where the name of the model comes from. Initially, you need to mark the location of the holes on the board and drill them according to the diagram:

Rice. 11: Butterfly antenna hole pattern

The broadband antenna is ready for use; you can install it in the most suitable place in the room for receiving television signals.

Kharchenko zigzag antenna

This antenna option is designed for broadcasting digital television, which is carried out in the decimeter range. The main advantage is that there is either a digital signal or there is no signal at all, so the image is of fairly high quality.

Structurally, Kharchenko antennas consist of two rhombuses, which are made of conductive materials. Copper or aluminum wire, rod, angle or tire are suitable for them. A schematic representation of a zigzag antenna is shown in the figure below.

Rice. 15: diagram and practical implementation of the Kharchenko antenna

In this case, the dimensions must be calculated based on the wavelength. To receive digital broadcasting, the wavelength is divided by 4 - this will be the dimension B1, and to configure the antenna for a wider range, side B2 needs to be made 1 cm smaller than B1, for example, in the ratio of 12.5 and 11.5 cm. You can use pliers, a vice, or a hammer to bend copper wire. There is a reflector on the back of the antenna for better TV signal reception, but this modification was relevant for analogue television; it is not necessary to install it in digital TV.

In addition to the wire to make the device, you will need a television cable, a frame for placing the receiver, insulating materials, and a plug for connection. From the tools, take an abrasive wheel or sandpaper, a soldering iron.

The manufacturing process includes the following steps:

• Prepare the wire of the required length, in this case 112mm is used; if you use other sizes, you should not forget about the reserve for the bend points.
• Bend the wire antenna as shown in the diagram, maintaining 90º angles and making a smooth turn at the bend points.
  Rice. 16: bend the wire
• To connect the ends, make grooves and connect with thin wire or make two loops and connect them together, for better contact and to prevent oxidation, tin them. If there is varnish on the conductor, it should be removed before tinning.
  Rice. 17: Tin the ends
• Repeat the same procedure on the opposite side to create a second contact. The distance between them should be about 2cm.
• Strip the coaxial cable on both sides - one for connecting to the antenna, the other for entering the signal into the receiver. For the antenna, you need to remove 3–5 cm of outer insulation and assemble the multi-wire braid into a separate terminal. For a TV, strip about 1 - 2cm and solder to the plug.
• Place the antenna on the base and solder the cable to it.
  Rice. 18: Connect the cable to the terminals
• To protect against atmospheric influences and provide additional rigidity, the soldering area is treated with hot-melt adhesive.
  Rice. 19: treat the soldering area with hot glue

The antenna is ready for connection to a TV; if all the requirements specified by the designer are met, you will receive an excellent version of the device, the parameters of which are not inferior to the factory models.

Video ideas

The population receives the bulk of information through television, viewing of which requires a receiving antenna. You can buy a receiving device at any store, but this is not always possible. In this case, you can make an antenna with your own hands. Next, the main varieties and the order of their assembly will be considered.

The main advantage of homemade devices is that they require a minimum of financial costs. It also happens that homemade options are superior to factory ones in many respects.

The advantage is that handicrafts can be called “all-wave”; this is not done intentionally, it turns out just like that. The disadvantages of homemade devices are their unaesthetic appearance, although this depends on the hands of the master. A significant disadvantage is the inaccessibility of some materials.

Undoubtedly, there are more advantages, so let’s look at the main handicrafts.

Varieties

"Beer"

To make the product you will need an even number of beer cans. The most common options are made of two pieces. The installation process is quite simple and requires a minimum of tools and consumables.

Instructions:

1. To begin with, take a wooden strip(a hanger will also do), which will serve as a support for the structure.
2. Beer cans are attached to the rail using tape, at a distance of about 6 centimeters.
3. Next, a television cable is attached to the banks. The procedure can be performed using either self-tapping screws or solder.
4. The last step is to attach the base to the mast and adjust the position. A more complex version is made from 6-8 cans. Such an antenna will require two bases installed vertically.
5. 4 cans are attached to the installed bases, parallel to each other.
6. Using a copper plate or wire, you should connect the cans, located on one rack, then perform the procedure on another.
7. The next step is to install the racks into one structure, it should be taken into account that the distance between the bottoms of the cans must be at least 60 mm.
8. It remains to secure the cable at the extreme points connecting plates.

Antenna with minimal costs

It should be remembered that television travels in space in the form of waves that are well perceived by metal objects. To watch several TV channels, you can use a piece of wire, one end of which is attached to the heating system, and the other into the TV to the central contact.

The principle of operation of such an antenna is based on the area of ​​the system, and it envelops almost the entire house at different heights. The reception quality of the design is not the highest. A more interesting option requires a balcony with metal strings for laundry.

The assembly technology is completely similar to the battery system. There are places with reliable signal reception, where you can use a knitting needle, which will make it possible to view the main channels.

Regular antenna

Assembling the antenna yourself is quite simple; you will need a tube made of aluminum or brass. The latter option is more convenient, since this material practically does not oxidize.

Instructions:

1. The length of the tubes should be 276 mm– it is this that ensures the reception of most channels, thickness 20 mm. The tubes should be flattened on one side, then holes should be drilled in these places.
2. The next stage is preparing the base. It must be made of dielectric material, measuring 150 by 50 mm and at least 5 mm thick.
3. Next, a mock-up of the antenna is laid out on a flat surface. The base is laid, the tubes are placed on top of it, the distance between the flattened ends of the tubes is 65 mm, the locations of the holes in the tubes are marked and a hole is made in the base with a drill of the same diameter.
4. The next stage is the assembly of the structure. The tubes are attached to the base using bolts; it is advisable to use an additional fastening in the form of a clamp - this will ensure the strength of the structure. The bolts used for fastening are 15-20 mm long, this is necessary for fastening the loop.
5. Antenna assembly completed, all that remains is to connect the cable; you cannot do this directly to the antenna. The correct connection is made through a ring of wire with a resistance of 75 ohms. The length of the loop is calculated individually depending on the length of the tube; in this situation it is 280 centimeters.

The outlet cable is already connected to the loop.

Powerful antenna

Having dealt with the classic options, you should consider antennas designed to receive the weakest signal. To create one, you will need a minimum of materials, namely a brass tube, a plate of the same material, desire and hands.

Instructions:

1. The manufacture of the receiving device begins with bending two squares of the same size from the tube, mounted on a dielectric base in such a way that the distance between the corners of the squares is 10-15 mm.
2. The next step is making the screen, designed to strengthen the signal power and smooth out radio interference. The screen is curved in the shape of a rectangle 11x10 centimeters, with a side height of 23 mm and a width of 6 mm.
3. When connecting two components, a distance of 12 mm must be maintained. The finished product is connected to the TV using a cable with a resistance of 75 Ohms. An important fact is that this design does not allow the use of bolted connections, only solder is allowed.

When assembled correctly, the model outperforms its factory counterparts.

UHF antenna

Digital television is covering more and more territories, but for its reliable reception a special module is required. Often, the device is purchased separately, but there are TVs that have a built-in module.

But one receiver is not enough; you need an antenna that receives UHF waves. The simplest option is made on a sheet of plywood.

Instructions:

1. For assembly you will need a 75 Ohm TV cable 53 cm long. This segment is fixed on the sheet in the shape of a ring; it can be secured either with clamps or with glue.
2. When bending the loop, make sure that there is a gap of 5-10 mm between the ends of the cable. The second element of the product is made from a similar cable, 15.5 cm long, from which a loop is made.
3. The connection between the ring and the loop is as follows– the inner core of the ring is connected to the winding of both sides. The loop of the central conductor is attached to this twist, and the outer winding is connected between the edges. The central core of the antenna cable is connected to the inner core of the loop, and the winding is connected to the loop winding.

Settings

Installation of do-it-yourself products is carried out similarly to factory-made analogues. Most options require a mast to raise them to maximum height.

In most cases, a height of 2-3 meters higher than the height of the roof of the building is sufficient. Additionally, when installing, you should choose a place with the strongest signal, this is especially true for indoor devices.

Configuration is carried out by rearranging or rotating the antenna towards the tower; sometimes it is necessary to install an additional screen on the rear side.

DIY amplifier

There are often situations when a properly assembled and well-tuned antenna refuses to reliably receive a signal, then you simply cannot do without a signal amplifier.

Most of these devices have a complex design, which is difficult to assemble without certain knowledge. A simpler version can be made with your own hands in 10 minutes.

You will need a magnet onto which several turns of television cable are wound. This device can be assembled either near the TV or on an antenna. The latter option is most popular in factory amplifiers.

Results

Concluding the topic, you should pay attention to the fact that the highest quality of reception can be achieved by using soldering (bolts and nuts oxidize, significantly deteriorating the signal). An important aspect is the correct choice of cable. The most popular option is a product with a resistance of 75 Ohms, made of silicone.

Such products have a long service life, plus they are not affected by climate. The way you connect the cable to your TV is important. It is recommended to use special plugs; solderless options are allowed.

Before starting to assemble the product, you need to decide on the type of product; to do this, you should find out the frequency at which the signal is broadcast, this depends on the specific area.

The indoor antenna allows you to receive terrestrial television, analogue and digital, at home. Analog television is gradually becoming a thing of the past, and digital television is becoming increasingly widespread.

Currently, there are two multiplexes with 10 channels each, work is underway to introduce a third multiplex with another 10 channels, some of them will be in HD quality. The first two multiplexes are free, but the third one may require a fee.

To connect to terrestrial digital television you will need:

• install a decimeter antenna, indoor or outdoor;
• purchase a special digital set-top box if your TV does not support receiving a DVB-T2 signal;
• connect the antenna and set-top box with a television cable.

Many companies provide services for connecting to terrestrial television. But it’s actually easy to make and set up an indoor antenna with your own hands. After that, you will be able to watch 20 channels in digital quality for free.

Different ways to make an antenna

You can make an indoor TV antenna with your own hands in different ways from different materials. First, make sure that your home is in a reliable reception area. This can be checked on the official website of digital terrestrial television. If you are far from the broadcast tower, then you will not be able to catch the signal with any antenna - neither purchased nor homemade. Purchase a passive or active external antenna. Although some of the instructions below on how to make an antenna with your own hands are also suitable for external use.

Let's consider one of the simplest methods - making it from a coaxial cable:

It’s also easy to make a TV antenna from beer cans with your own hands. Moreover, it can be used as an indoor room, or it can be placed outside:

This design works great, although it does not look very aesthetically pleasing.

A zigzag antenna is more difficult to make with your own hands, but it has proven itself to be universal and reliable:

You can easily make an antenna out of a cardboard box with your own hands:

The beer can design has a more aesthetic option, the so-called butterfly. 4 rows of screws are fixed on the board, and instead of transverse slats, pieces of copper wire bent in half are used. Thus, you get rows of copper “forks” sticking out in different directions. The rows are also connected to each other by wire, output to a cable, then you just need to connect it to the TV.

Connection and setup

Setting up an indoor antenna consists mainly of its correct installation:

1. Secure it as close to the window as possible so that there are no obstacles (reinforced concrete walls, metal bars) in the signal path.
2. Connect to your TV or digital set-top box.
3. Now you just need to configure the programs: start an automatic search through digital channels.
4. If a channel is found, but the screen says “no signal,” try installing the antenna in a different location, and then tune the channels again by running auto search.

And finally, instructions on how to connect the cable to the TV connector:

These are some ways to make your own TV antenna. Theoretically, any piece of metal wire can serve as an antenna. But there is no guarantee that this will be enough to adjust the signal reception in your conditions. If you have ideas on how else you can design an effective indoor antenna yourself, leave your comments and tips below.

• In contact with
• regular form

Digital encoding of the television signal allows it to be delivered to the receiver while minimizing any losses. To support the technology, the TV needs an antenna for DVB-T2. Making such a device with your own hands is much cheaper than buying a ready-made one, paying about 3 thousand rubles for it. Terrestrial digital television displaces all similar types of signal transmission, while offering high-quality broadcasting and a variety of channels.

Changes on air

Making an antenna for an old-style tube TV was considered prestigious at one time and showed the level of skill; in the modern world, interest in homemade devices does not fade, and many make DVB-T2 over-the-air antennas with their own hands. Manufacturers of industrial equipment adapt to the changed reception conditions by connecting modern electronics to standard well-known designs, completely ignoring the fact that the main condition for the operation of the antenna is its interaction with the terrestrial signal.

In recent years, almost all broadcasting takes place in the DVB-T2 range, which reduces the cost and simplifies, from an economic point of view, the antenna-feeder system of transmission stations. Periodic maintenance requires less highly qualified personnel, and their work becomes less harmful and dangerous.

Television broadcast transmitters cover all large cities and sparsely populated villages with signals, so catching waves from unattended low-power stations in remote areas becomes important if you install an antenna for DVB-T2 reception, made with your own hands from scrap materials.

Due to the expanded construction of reinforced concrete buildings within the city, the conditions for signal propagation in populated areas have changed significantly. Multi-storey buildings with a metal frame are like mirrors, reflecting waves several times until they are completely attenuated.

There are many TV channels broadcast on the air today. A digital signal differs from others in that it either exists or it doesn’t; there is no middle position. Other transmission systems differ in that the channels perceive interference differently, which reduces their broadcast quality, and sometimes the image may simply disappear. A self-made antenna for DVB-T2 will allow you to receive the same signal for all channels that show the same high-quality picture.

The digital broadcasting signal is special in that it is not affected by interference; if it is one and a half decibels higher than the noise, then good reception is achieved. Signal dropout is affected by cable mismatch or phase distortion at any point in the transmission from the camera to the tuner, and the image can be scattered into small pieces even with a strong signal.

Basic features for making an antenna

Before making DVB-T2 with your own hands, you should study the principle of its operation.

To capture a digital signal, it is required that it can be very simply constructed, even from a simple cable, after making the correct calculation.

The theory says that digital signals are easily transmitted in the UHF range and can be received by any type of antenna, but in reality this does not always work out.

You can make a television antenna yourself at minimal cost and without the help of others, but you should remember that the resulting device is inferior in reception quality to professional devices.

Requirements for antennas

New conditions for broadcasting, distribution and on-air reception have changed the basic requirements that DIY TV antennas must meet. DVB-T2 has abolished the previously significant directional and protective coefficients. In modern devices they do not matter, since the air is polluted, and even small penetrating interference can only be dealt with using electronic means. At the same time, the antenna's own gain (GA) plays an important role.

An antenna that tracks the air well has a power reserve for the received signal, which allows the electronics to sift it from interference and noise. A modern antenna for DVB-T2, made with your own hands, preserves electrical parameters in a natural way, and does not adapt to acceptable parameters using engineering techniques. It is consistent over the entire operating frequency range without the use of balancing devices.

Antenna amplitude and frequency characteristics

The antenna is made as smooth as possible; phase distortions arise due to sharp emissions and dips. Single-frequency antennas are stretched to an acceptable noise-to-signal ratio, thus allowing them to receive up to 40 channels. But they are additionally equipped with matching amplifiers, which absorb waves or distort phase indicators.

The most effective digital DVB-T2 antenna is made by yourself:

• frequency-independent - with low performance, but cheap and easy to manufacture, designed in a short period of time, designed for reception in relatively clean air at a short distance from the transmitted station;
• periodic band, catching all waves in space, ideally sorting them, which has a simple design, ideally works in tandem with a freeder throughout the entire reception range.

If we talk about design, the simplest DVB-T2 antenna is made by hand in the “eight”, “Polish” and “square” versions.

Figure-of-eight antenna

Refers to easily constructed devices, made like a standard figure eight, from which the reflector is removed. The ideal material is an aluminum strip, corner, tube, tire, or other profile. The top dimension is 140 mm, the side length is 130 mm, but these dimensions are given as a guide; during manufacturing they should not be kept exactly to the millimeter.

To begin with, cut a wire 112 cm long, begin to bend the first part 140 mm long, of which 130 mm goes to the antenna, and 10 mm remains for the loop. The next two sections are bent equally to a length of 140 mm, the next two - 130 mm, the next pair - 140 mm, then another 140 mm, then - 130 mm and make a second loop. The connections are pre-cleaned, connected and soldered; they are also contacts for fastening the cable core.

Stripping the cable and plug is done using a scalpel and a file. After soldering, the joints are sealed and secured with glue from a hot gun. If we talk about the plug, then the glue is poured into the solder joint, then into the cavity of the cap, the excess is then removed. The joint is assembled so quickly that the adhesive mass does not harden. The result is an eternal, strong and elastic connection. To make contact, we strip the ends of the cable from the plug side by 1 cm, from the antenna side by 2 cm.

When connecting by soldering, a do-it-yourself indoor digital DVB-T2 antenna is also sealed with glue, where it is recommended to install a rigid frame at the point of contact according to the size of the joint. If the device is made for yourself and will be rigidly fixed during operation, and transfer is not needed, then the frame is not made. A device made of this type easily picks up digital signals in the direct line of sight of a television tower at a distance of up to 10 km when installed outdoors.

Using a “Polish” antenna

The “Polish” antenna received its name during the times of the former Soviet Union as a reliable device for receiving signals from Soviet television, as well as channels in the UHF range. Digital broadcasting is practically not received on it due to its low efficiency. Some amateurs are trying to bring the design to ideal by shortening the long decimeter mustache and removing the reflector. In some cases, such a change allows you to adjust the image in digital format, but it is impossible to guarantee a reliable result. Speaking about Polish devices, we can note the high-quality operation of the amplifier, which works effectively with a digital signal.

Antenna type "square"

This DIY indoor DVB-T2 antenna is a modified copy of the standard design, known as “three squares,” which has six components and a matching transformer. A homemade antenna of this type confidently copes with receiving digital TV channels at a distance of up to 10 km in a straight line; for longer distances a signal amplifier is required.

The antenna design is simple to implement. The main structural element consists of round aluminum wire and single-core wires. The wire is bent to obtain six squares and a matching tap is made, which is a high-frequency transformer, so that the cable and the DVB-T2 antenna with the amplifier match the signal. With their own hands they solder the wires to the points, wrap them with copper wire and tin them with a soldering iron.

The cable is attached to the antenna with special clamps or using ordinary insulating tape. The cable is connected by placing a support, using a wooden plank or other material. When installing indoors or outside a building, the main condition is precise alignment with the television tower. This is done using a navigator; if there is no line of sight, the direction is clarified until the effect of receiving a powerful signal.

Antenna made from beer cans

The technology for manufacturing such an effective antenna is very simple and does not require special skills.

Using a thick awl or screwdriver, make neat holes in the neck of each of the two cans, then screw screws into them. The cable ends are freed from the braid, the copper wires are cleared of varnish with a knife, and they are attached under the screw heads. It is very good to solder the resulting connection, but not necessary.

The DVB-T2 digital antenna is almost made with your own hands; it remains on the prepared rail or pipe to secure the cans so that there is a distance of 7.5 cm between them. The second cable end is equipped with a standard plug that is connected to the receiver, the device is installed in the place where the signal is best recorded. Placing this type of device outdoors requires reliable protection from the weather. This is done with any waterproof material; large plastic bottles are often used. The antenna receives up to 15 satellite television channels and digital broadcasting.

Using Instruments and Amplification

At a certain distance from the television tower, the antenna is capable of receiving signals without installing additional amplifying devices. To receive a signal from a greater distance, use a wave amplifier with separate power supply. The device is installed near the tuner, and the matching device is made additionally; for its manufacture you need:

• potentiometer for gain adjustment;
• standard decoupled throttles L4 and L3;
• coils L2 and L1 are wound according to dimensions from the directory;
• a metal screen to separate the output circuits from the device circuit.

The amplifiers are placed no further than 3 meters from the place where the DVB-T2 cable antenna is installed, which receives power from its own unit with its contacts. When installing an antenna near a broadcasting tower, it is not recommended to use an additional amplifier, since a strong signal degrades the image and has an additional effect on the entire structure. The recommended cable length is three meters; a larger wire will lead to imbalance of the balun.

Application of a symmetrizer

This device is needed for any type of antenna, and it does not matter whether it was made at a factory or in a craftsman’s workshop. A self-made antenna for DVB-T2 produces good image quality when connected to a tuner. If the cable length is more than 10 m, then when installed outside the building, inconsistencies in the resistance of the external space and the cable arise. In this case, it is necessary to use a symmetrizer in a comprehensive antenna solution, which greatly improves the quality of the image on the screen.

Cable laying and antenna installation

The main rule is to install the antenna at a height. If this cannot be done in the room, you need to move the device to an external wall. To install an antenna in a private building, digital broadcasting operators rely on a device height of 10 m. If the antenna is located on the ground floor of a house, then nearby metal structures and industrial facilities cause poor reception.

When placing the antenna under a canopy or the roof of a house, pay attention to the roofing material - it should not contain a metallized coating or spraying. Metal tiles, corrugated sheets, iron or foil insulation create significant interference with the reception of digital television signals.

For high-mounted receiving antennas on a metal mast or pin, a steel rod of at least one meter in size is provided, to which a grounding wire is connected. The device located on the roof is included in the general grounding system of the house.

The cable is not routed through smoke and ventilation ducts, and is not hung on existing electrical wires, even if they look more than reliable. The holes in the walls are placed at an angle so that moisture from the street does not flow into the room; special commercially available plugs are used. If the antenna is made well and correctly, take a cable and wall sockets of high quality, since after the final finishing of the walls it is difficult to redo the cable in the wall and replace it with a more reliable one.

Compliance with safety precautions when installing the antenna

Before installing or adjusting an already mounted antenna at a height, make sure that this action is safe:

• do not climb onto weakly secured and shaky structures; if working at height is associated with danger, be sure to wear a mounting belt and attach it to a fixed part of the building structure;
• The assistant is not allowed to hold the end without first securing it; if he falls, the assistant will not be able to hold his body weight in his hands;
• It is forbidden to climb to a height alone, when structures are icing, to walk on an old roof, or to step on connecting seams;
• Do not install the antenna in rain or fog.

In conclusion, it should be said that it is quite simple to make your own receiving device in order to watch digital television. DVB-T2, a home-made antenna, is almost as good in quality (if you follow the right technology) as store-bought counterparts. The cost of materials will allow you to save a decent amount of money, which is important for some people.

Good afternoon, V.Yu.
The visitor in the latest posts with experience on FM radio antennas is me. The antenna turned out to be easy to manufacture and I decided to repeat it for FM reception and compare it with previously made ones, by ear, instrumentation, and ease of use. The goal was to obtain a signal with a minimum of interference for high-quality radio sound in stereo mode. I made two antennas. The first one is made of wire 3 mm thick. The second is made of metal-plastic. Made from metal plastic it turned out to be a little better in terms of the level of received signals. By ear - less low frequencies, more high frequencies and distinctness of each instrument in the orchestra.
Measurement method - there is a receiver with a signal level indicator in decibels. We number the FM stations and look at the level of the received signal from the station in dB, then we sum up all the values. We obtain the numerical value of the antenna based on the received signal level parameter. All antennas were placed under the same directional conditions. A wire on a window 303 cm long in the form of a rectangle with a gap on the larger side of 2 cm (51 cm x 102 cm) - has a value of 491 dB, a directional loop phased loop antenna made of wire - 459 dB, the same one made of metal - 485 dB. As can be seen from the presented values, a metal-plastic antenna is comparable to a full-size frame equal to the wavelength of the middle FM range.
Now on to the manufacturing technology. It is somewhat different from yours and is made without soldering. The base is a rail (30 x 6 x 3 cm). Remained from renovation (2 pieces). Wire antenna - circumference 75 cm (quarter wave mid FM range). Two circles of the same length. We take a light self-tapping screw (not dark - it has a cone head) with a flat head for a Phillips screwdriver. We make a hole in the rail with a drill or other method so that the wire enters the hole with little resistance. You can slightly bend the ends of the wire for this purpose. We insert the two ends of the loop into the hole in the rail and do not connect them to each other (leave 5 mm between the ends of the loop). We do the same with the second loop at the other end of the rail. The distance from the end of the rail is 1 cm. We screw the screws on top of the rail so that the end of the screw fits into the loop wire at the end. This ensures contact of the coax with the frame. We screw the central core of the coaxial and the braiding on different sides of the frame under the self-tapping screws. For example, the central core is on the left, and the braid is on the right in the direction from the beginning of the rail to its end. We lay the coaxial between the frames and attach it to the screws (screw it under the screw head). The second loop is also attached and the ends of the coaxial are secured under the screws securing the second loop. The descent is in the form of a coaxial - I got a length of 7.5 meters, we fasten it under the screws of one of the frames (the central core is on the left, and the braid is on the right. We tighten everything - the screws ensure contact of the wires with each other with the head, and contact with the loop with the end. The distance between with self-tapping screws - 2 cm We connect the other end of the coaxial cable to the receiver through the connector you need.That's it - the antenna is ready.
Metal-plastic differs in manufacturability. 20 mm pipe, also after repair. Bent into a ring without any problems. The length of the loop is 75 - 1.5 cm (as recommended in the article) = 73.5 cm. Attaching the loop to the rail is also a self-tapping screw, but of a larger size so that it goes through the metal-plastic and is well secured to the wood, by 10-15 mm. There is a distance of 1 cm between the ends of one loop. The screws from the end of the loop are still at a distance of 0.5 cm. We get a distance of 2 cm between the screws of one loop. We lay a piece of plastic between the loops and fasten it with screws to the rail, so that the coax can be inserted inside. We connect the coax in the same way as in the first case to the ends of the loop, the central core and the braid. We ground the tube between the antenna loops (connect it to the braid). We insert a piece of coax into the pipe between the loops, connect the c.z. and braid. We also connect the reduction coaxial to the self-tapping screws of one of the loops (central ring and braid). We first clean the ends of the loops from vinyl to aluminum so that the head of the screw presses the wires to the aluminum and at the same time secures the loop to the wooden batten.
With all respect, Andrew