Build (DIY) or Buy an antenna?
If within 30 miles of your TV stations, you can save a few $$$ with a $0 DIY HDTV antenna. Simple, cheap, and effective store bought antennas can be found for $10-$50.
Use online reception map tools.
Green/strong <30 miles are $0 DIY favorites.
- <30 mi. A paperclip, 6″ of bare coax. A $0 DIY HDTV will work.
- 30-50 mi. Store bought indoor flat antenna will work. A $0 DIY maybe.
- 50+ mi. Attic/outdoor antenna likely needed.
Use a known DIY HDTV pattern. Unless you understand antenna signal/wave theory to research the frequencies, gain, and to calculate the resonant lengths, your wasting your time.
Building a DIY? Matching transformer.
- TV Antenna Matching Transformer Balun 300 To 75
- You may already have one from an old TV, game console in a junk drawer.
- Buy on Amazon, Walmart, Home Depot for $1-5. (opens in a new