Antennas pick up wavelengths in the air and transform them into AV (audio and visual) signals that you can watch on your television or listen to on the radio. If you want to make your own antenna to tune into the radio frequencies better, you need a few supplies and tools. TV antennas need multiple extensions, or ears, to broadcast channels to your television, while FM radio antennas only require two ears to maximize the wavelength. When you’re done with your antenna, mount it somewhere on top or sides of your home so you can attach it to one of your receivers.
Things Required:
- Scissors
- Coaxial Cables
- Tape
- Newly isolated aluminum foil.
- Pilers
- Ethernet cord
Steps:
Strip the covering off the end of a neat coaxial cable to create a simple antenna. Get a new coaxial cable that’s large enough to go from your television to the nearest door or window so you can get perfect reception. Use a bunch of wire strippers to eliminate the last 15 cm (6 inches) of insulation from the top of the coaxial cord. Once the wire inside is revealed, level it out by hand and put it near your window. Run the other end of the cable to the port on your TV to connect the antenna.
Some Things to know
- You may only get very few channel channels using a simple antenna; however, this works.
- You could be able to enhance the antenna signal by covering the exposed end of the coaxial cable in a newly isolated aluminum foil.
If you want more channels:
Try playing an unbent paper clip straight into the coaxial port on your television. Use a nice jumbo-sized paper clip to get the most channels from your TV. Properly unbend the paper clip by hand or with a bunch of pliers until it has an L-shape. Stir the short end of the unbent paper clip into the tiny hole in the coaxial port on your television. Once your antenna is properly in place, you’ll be able to receive a few more TV channels.
FM radio antenna:
Use a bunch of scissors to properly cut off one end of a newly isolated ethernet cord. Strip about 5–7 cm (2–3 inches) of the padding off of the ethernet cord, so the wires are bared inside. Properly twist the wires together by hand as close as you can so they come to a point at the top. Plug the opposite end of the newly isolated ethernet cord into your radio receiver and adequately hold the antenna up to finally receive your stations.
