http://enghddev.weblogsinc.com/2009/01/27/video-diy-antenna-makes-good-use-of-wire-hangers-spare-time/ Engadget HD Comments for Video: DIY antenna makes good use of wire hangers, spare time http://enghddev.weblogsinc.com/media/feedlogo.gif http://enghddev.weblogsinc.com en-us Copyright 2009 Weblogs, Inc. The contents of this feed are available for non-commercial use only. Blogsmith http://www.blogsmith.com/http://enghddev.weblogsinc.com/2009/01/27/video-diy-antenna-makes-good-use-of-wire-hangers-spare-time/http://enghddev.weblogsinc.com/2009/01/27/video-diy-antenna-makes-good-use-of-wire-hangers-spare-time/Awesome.]]>Jan 27th 2009 11:12PMhttp://enghddev.weblogsinc.com/2009/01/27/video-diy-antenna-makes-good-use-of-wire-hangers-spare-time/http://enghddev.weblogsinc.com/2009/01/27/video-diy-antenna-makes-good-use-of-wire-hangers-spare-time/Jan 27th 2009 11:12PMhttp://enghddev.weblogsinc.com/2009/01/27/video-diy-antenna-makes-good-use-of-wire-hangers-spare-time/http://enghddev.weblogsinc.com/2009/01/27/video-diy-antenna-makes-good-use-of-wire-hangers-spare-time/
Also I don't think he would get good vhf reception with his coat hanger antenna. Which means if any Digital stations are switching back to vhf after the cutover (if it ever happens), this antenna may not work for them.]]>Jan 28th 2009 8:33AMhttp://enghddev.weblogsinc.com/2009/01/27/video-diy-antenna-makes-good-use-of-wire-hangers-spare-time/http://enghddev.weblogsinc.com/2009/01/27/video-diy-antenna-makes-good-use-of-wire-hangers-spare-time/Jan 28th 2009 2:30PMhttp://enghddev.weblogsinc.com/2009/01/27/video-diy-antenna-makes-good-use-of-wire-hangers-spare-time/http://enghddev.weblogsinc.com/2009/01/27/video-diy-antenna-makes-good-use-of-wire-hangers-spare-time/Jan 29th 2009 9:52AMhttp://enghddev.weblogsinc.com/2009/01/27/video-diy-antenna-makes-good-use-of-wire-hangers-spare-time/http://enghddev.weblogsinc.com/2009/01/27/video-diy-antenna-makes-good-use-of-wire-hangers-spare-time/Jan 28th 2009 11:24AMhttp://enghddev.weblogsinc.com/2009/01/27/video-diy-antenna-makes-good-use-of-wire-hangers-spare-time/http://enghddev.weblogsinc.com/2009/01/27/video-diy-antenna-makes-good-use-of-wire-hangers-spare-time/Jan 28th 2009 3:10PMhttp://enghddev.weblogsinc.com/2009/01/27/video-diy-antenna-makes-good-use-of-wire-hangers-spare-time/http://enghddev.weblogsinc.com/2009/01/27/video-diy-antenna-makes-good-use-of-wire-hangers-spare-time/http://www.starkelectronic.com/uhf.htm (first antenna on that page is basically the same as the one in this project)]]>Jan 28th 2009 3:13PMhttp://enghddev.weblogsinc.com/2009/01/27/video-diy-antenna-makes-good-use-of-wire-hangers-spare-time/http://enghddev.weblogsinc.com/2009/01/27/video-diy-antenna-makes-good-use-of-wire-hangers-spare-time/Jan 28th 2009 8:45PMhttp://enghddev.weblogsinc.com/2009/01/27/video-diy-antenna-makes-good-use-of-wire-hangers-spare-time/http://enghddev.weblogsinc.com/2009/01/27/video-diy-antenna-makes-good-use-of-wire-hangers-spare-time/
a) the long vertical wires (phasing lines) are not evenly spaced. They should at all time, including the crossover, be at 1.25 inch from each other.

b) the phasing lines should not be right against the wood board as it changes the electric field property around. There should be at least a 1" standoff under all 5 pairs of screws to rais the phasing lines in mid air. This should simplify also the crossover twist in mid air, in case you were wondering!

c) the whiskers length is supposed to be 9-10 inch, not 7 or 8.

d) the spacing between the whiskers pair is supposed to be 8.5-9.5 inches

e) the voltage 4:1 balun transformer AND the coax cable should go away from the antenna plane toward the back. One simple way to solve that is to drill a hole in the wood board about 1" below the center screws (and standoff), to pass the balun body through. You can lock the balun in the hole the way you prefer, splice of wood, hotglue gun, etc...

f) you very likely will want a 11th screw, a longer one, to pin a flat base to your mast, so the antenna stands by itself and can be oriented. Otherwise whiskers tips will scratch whatever is around (or worst, the sharp coathanger rods could enter the air vents of any surrounding equipment).
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