build your own tv antenna?

ddt · 03-08-2003, 05:17 PM

I don't know if all of you remember but I bought an amplified TV antenna for my last install and it was subsequently stolen. Anyways now I'm wondering if I can build my own. The antenna was like the one here:

What it looked like to me was simply a thin (thicker than tin foil) piece of aluminum sandwiched between two pieces of posterboard. With one of those 2 wire to coax adapters.

I was really pleased with it's performance but a lot of that was probably attributed to the facr that it also had like a 25 dBi amplifier attached to it.

Anyways... does anyone have any knowledge on the subject? Maybe even where to get some ultra thin aluminum. Anything?

ddt · 03-11-2003, 08:40 PM

so... what if I just got 2 pieces of posterboard and covered the crap out of them with tinfoil on one side each and attached the coax connector to it and shoved it under the headliner.

Does anyone think it might work? Should I waste my time? (can't say money because it's posterboard and foil lol!)

bosstone74 · 03-12-2003, 12:03 AM

buy another one like you had before??? man you have so much time on your hands...what do you do? I've never seen anyones post counts go up so fast!!

let us know how the hack antenna goes!!

osirisdon · 03-12-2003, 12:21 AM

Hey ddt did you actually build your car? j/k j/k

.

Anyway antennas have a certain impedance to them, they are built that way to interact with the TRX\RCVr if you put an antenna does does NOT match the output inpedance of your transmitter or receiver you can actually damage it, or it just wont work.

There is a lil science behind antennas, like standing wave ratios and invisible crap like that, Its NOT just two tin foils together, although it may seem like that, ITS much more involved.

I reccomend you to buy one.

thenominous · 03-12-2003, 05:37 AM

Ive got a Labtec aerial which is slim line covered in plastic, and had the option of a built in amp. It's pretty similar to this one: http://www.maplin.co.uk/products/mod...93&modulecode=

On taking it apart, it sounds pretty much like what ddt was describing. It was only something like £10 so to be honest, Id bite the bullet and go buy another one to hack up. (esp as it is going to be cheaper still in the USA!)

Dave

ddt · 03-12-2003, 07:52 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by bosstone74
buy another one like you had before???

Unless you're suggesting stealing one.

Quote:

man you have so much time on your hands...

And your point is ...

Quote:

what do you do?

I buy and sell single family homes.

Quote:

I've never seen anyones post counts go up so fast!!

Yours will too if you post lots of questions... but why does everyone get wrapped around the axle about post count? Mods... cut mine down to 0. I'm not on this board to get some sort of post count. I'm here to build another damned car PC.

Quote:

let us know how the hack antenna goes!!

I'll just post it in every forum 5 times to get some more posts. You'll definatley see it.

BTW. These are my stats: Not exactly post whore material if you ask me... and easily accomplished in about 10 minutes a day:

813 (3.70 posts per day)

ddt · 03-12-2003, 07:55 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by osirisdon
Hey ddt did you actually build your car? j/k j/k .

No of course not.

Quote:

There is a lil science behind antennas, like standing wave ratios and invisible crap like that, Its NOT just two tin foils together, although it may seem like that, ITS much more involved.

I know. I've built a few 2.4 Omnis and I'm not suggesting all antennas are like this. I was simply wondering IF it would work, but you've answered my question there.

Quote:

I reccomend you to buy one.

And I reccomend that you buy me one.

osirisdon · 03-12-2003, 08:26 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by ddt
And I reccomend that you buy me one.

Sorry but at my stage in my install I cant afford to buy you one, but after Im done, look me up. Till then good luck on building your home made Antenna, make shure it doesnt look like the one ET used to "Phone Home"

ddt · 03-12-2003, 09:09 PM

I don't remember... did ET get home?

BTW.. it was just an idea... I'm ordering another!

jzgt · 03-12-2003, 10:44 PM

ddt,
Don't give in to peer pressure! Make one!!

- Jeff

frodobaggins · 03-12-2003, 10:53 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by ddt
I don't remember... did ET get home?

BTW.. it was just an idea... I'm ordering another!

of course he went home