Could anybody give me the dimensions for a VHF/UHF outdoor antenna. I don't have enough to get an antenna through the mail. So if there anyone who can share me the dimension, I'll gladly appreciate it.

P.S. Also include instructions on what i'll need. Thanks...

-- JunReyes (nujseyer@yahoo.com), January 20, 2002

Answers

Try a href= http://www.radiohc.org/Distributions/Dxers/scripts/01- 1103.html> Arnie Radio Cuba, or http://www.radiohc.org/Distributions/Dxers/scripts/01-1103.html, this is a link and web site for Arnie who broadcasts from Cuba and has all sorts of information on radios and antennas, listened to him for years on the shortwave. Most of the slf built things are cheap and made out of common stuff.

-- BC (desertdweller44@yahoo.com), January 20, 2002.

I've thrown away a bunch of those over the years and I'm sure others have, too. Why not check with local junk/scrap yards? Also, you could talk to someone who does installations of satellite dishes. Their customers don't need their antenna anymore. I hope this helps.

-- Gary in Indiana (gk6854@aol.com), January 20, 2002.

Where do you live, I have two in good shape that you could have for free.I'm in WI.

-- Dave (duckthis1@maqs.net), January 21, 2002.

Most TV antennas are called "Yagi"-type antennas, and are cut to the various wavelengths of TV transmission frequencies. That's why most TV antennas have a bunch of long arms (VHF frequencies) and a bunch of short arms out front (UHF frequencies). To make your own isn't difficult, as many amateur radio operators make their own Yagi antennas if they want maximum performance on one frequency. Your best bet would be to hit the library for a copy of "ARRL Amateur Radio Handbook" (about $40) or a copy of "ARRL Antenna Handbook" (about $15), or download a Yagi antenna design program from a shareware website or the ARRL homepage (www.arrl.org). You need to know the frequencies of the stations you want to pick up. VHF low (channel 2-6) is 54-85 MHz, VHF high (channel 7-13) is 160-205 MHz, and UHF is 470-~600 MHz. Good luck!

-- Paul D. (pd-personal@msn.com), January 21, 2002.

You might find a small town nearby which got cable services in the last few years. As people sign up they no longer need their antennas and often will give them away. Lynn

-- Lynn Haagenson (lrh@prtel.com), January 21, 2002.

The size of the antenna will vary depending on how far you are from the transmitter. Both VHF and UHF have different sizes. Most antennas combine them onto one long boom.

-- Gary (gws@columbus.rr.com), January 21, 2002.

The primary element of a Yagi antenna is equal in overall length to one half of the wavelength for the frequency you are interested in. The other elements on a Yagi are 'directors' and 'reflectors'. Directors are shorter than the primary element while the reflector (usually one only) is longer. The lengths are calculated in accordance with a logarithmic ratio.

You need a few figures to calculate the antenna that is suitable for the signals that are available where you live so if you find a junked antenna no matter how tangled it might be you could get the required measurements.

IMHO the easiest way to go is to buy a new antenna, if this is not practical the next easiest is to repair an old one. Repairs are generally a matter of cleaning and straightening. Of course if you can get two or more the same the repair would be easier. Talk to your local TV repair man and ask him to save you a few, what is not economical to him may be just what you need.

On the other hand... If you have good signal strength you may be able to make an alternative type of antenna. Take a length of 'figure eight' cable as is used on just about every standard lamp. Connect one end to the TV antenna socket or even to the end of your old TV antenna cable and run the cable outdoors. Pull the ends of the cable apart so that you form a 'T', now experiment pulling the legs further apart while looking for your favourite signal. This will take some time and patience but you MIGHT strick it lucky.

-- john hill (john@cnd.co.nz), January 21, 2002.

As my life is stabilizing a little bit now I felt I could have eithe the internet or dish tv but not both. I was lucky to find at the local hardware store a good antenna cheap as they had just bought the store and had some that were in stock at the time and they do not plan on replacing those in stock. May not really help you but I would suggest to follow the posts suggesting looking for a used one. I can now get most of the stations in my local area which I like for the weather and I do watch some of the programs too. I can even get the local PBS which I watch alot. Good luck in your search.

-- gail missouri ozarks (gef@getgoin.net), January 21, 2002.

I got a cool new antenna at Radio Shack which uses electrical current to boost productivity. It's also mounted inside the house...'bout the size of a laptop computer. I was amazed as it gets really fabulous reception, both VHF and UHF. Drawback: retail = $39.00 plus tax. (They also have cheaper ones and one more expensive one.)

I installed it (read: plugged it in after screwing in the antennae!) out in my bunkhouse. Now if I *really* *have* to watch something on teevee, I have to be prepared to wait for the wood cookstove to heat the place before I'm comfortable...or else watch programs in my parka...kind of discourages the old just channel surfing!

Anyway, I'm sure Radio Shack must have a website and probably online shopping...if you're interested, check it out.

-- sheepish (WA) (the_original_sheepish@hotmail.com), January 21, 2002.

could someone please send me a link for a good outdoor antenna or if you have one that you would like to sell please e-mail im desperate

-- Frank Bunch (bunch8@alltel.net), April 11, 2002.