Online Tools, Designs, Tutorials
If you live in an area with great over-the-air TV reception, you can build your own antenna with simple low cost materials.
Learn how to build a DIY TV antenna and save money. You could just buy an indoor antenna, but making your own can be educational and a fun family project.
Do indoor HDTV antennas really work?
Yes. Indoor antennas can pick up channels from broadcast stations within a 20-30 mile radius, the reach of an outdoor antenna is about 60 to 80 miles.
How good are make-your-own indoor antennas?
If you live in an area with great over-the-air TV reception, a paper clip or a length of stripped coax cable will even work. Stick with proven DIY designs such as the Gray Hoverman design. No need for complex fractal designs. However, “you get what you pay for”. If you are not receiving any <30mile locals with a homemade antenna, you may want to look at buying one.
Will I save a ton of money building my own?
Not really unless you have copper, balun, connectors on-hand.