TV antenna update - a success

**2ndGenGranola** · 01-29-2011, 08:05 PM

I decided to turn the project over to my 11 y/o. I printed him off the plans from the internet and had Daddy stop at Lowes for parts. That was the funny part. Wife sent hubby to the hardware shop for a balun and it took 4 men to find it. Actually, not a one of them knew what they were looking for until the young one of the group looked it up on his phone. (the balun is what hooks to the antenna so you can screw it into the coax cable).

The 11 y/o cut the wood, measured, drilled, painted (if it is going to be in my living room it must look better than those in the pictures), worked the wire, bent the coathangers and so on...

We were at a signal strength of 14% with 18 channels. If you walked around the room or sat in the wrong chair, you would loose the signal.

We are now at a signal strength of 46% with 30 channels. You can walk or sit anywhere in the room and not disturb the signal.

We now have excellent reception in the living room and one proud kiddo. We used materials around the house when we could but the store bought materials for the antenna were about $10 (wood, balun, screws, washers and house wire). I gave the kiddo another $10 for making it. He plans to make more for each of our other TV's.

**Labontet** · 01-29-2011, 08:36 PM

You should be proud of your son!
How wonderful that he was able to accomplish the project. I need him to come to my house and do the same here. Way to go!