DIY TV Yagi Antenna
By Bryan Clark
Everybody is aware of the purpose of a TV antenna. But very few people know that creating an antenna at home is a fairly simple process if you have some basic skills. This is also the case with expensive Yagi antennas, which were developed back in the 1920s. The model provides users with great directionality and with the possibility of receiving signals over a very long distance.
Step 1
Use a pencil to draw a perfectly straight line on a piece of wood. Your line should be designed to run along the full length and be carefully centered.
Step 2
Mark the center line at a distance of approximately 5 cm from the end of the piece of wood and label it as the first mark. You need to do this because this will represent the starting point that you will need for the next steps.
Step 3
Use Yagi software (Resource 1) to find the best design for your antenna and to provide you with the correct dimensions of your Yagi antenna. The design will vary based on what you are trying to do with it, and where you are located geographically.
Step 4
Measure and mark the required distance from the driven element to the center of the line starting at the point labeled "1." Make sure you mark the director elements from largest to smallest.
Step 5
Use each of the marks you created as the location for drilling a hole. It is very important to drill straight and to make sure the other side of the wood is always centered.
Step 6
Use wire cutters to cut copper wire pieces. You should cut them longer than what you would normally need, because there can always be small measuring errors. Press each piece of copper wire through its hole, using the labels you have created. The number 1 will be used for the reflector, 2 for the driven element and at the labels numbered from 3 there will be the directors.
Step 7
Center the wire used for the dipole of the antenna (label 2). Use pliers to cut it in the shape of a paper clip. Repeat the process with all the other wire ends, making sure a 5mm gap is kept between every pair of wires.
Step 8
Attach the antenna connector, or balun.
References
Writer Bio
Bryan Clark has been a freelance writer since 2002. His work has appeared in "The New York Times," "USA Today" and the U.K.'s biggest paper—"The Guardian," amongst other, smaller publications.