I built the following antenna, and it works good. The antenna is not amplified (uses no electricity) and has not required fiddling to receive all of the channels. The antenna is leaning behind the TV, in a less-than-optimal position that is mostly hidden from sight.
Supplies:
13' #10 solid copper wire.
board > 2.5' long.
10 washers.
10 drywall screws or wood screws.
75-to-300 ohm Transformer
RG-6 coaxial cable
Cut 8 pieces of wire, 14" long.
Cut 2 pieces of wire, 20" long.
Mark 2" from top of wood board, then mark 5 3/4" three times. Total of four marks.
Bend each wire piece into V, so ends are 2.5" to 3" apart. Remove insulation from areas where washers will connect.
Loosely screw V into board with washer.
Attach wires A and B as pictured, with insulation removed under washers. Wires A and B are electrically isolated -- they cross but don't electrically connect.
In this diagram, the Vs are not proportionally correct. When measuring, the spacing will be proportional.
\ / \ / \ / \ /
\ / \ / \ / \ /
\ / \ / \ / \ /
--------------------------------------------
| o O --wire A---X-- O o |B
| \ / \ / |O
T| \ / |T
O| \ / |T
P| / \ / \ |O
| O o --wire B---X-- o O |M
---------------------------------------------
/ \ / \ / \ / \
/ \ / \ / \ / \
/ \ / \ / \ / \
Attach balun to wires A and B, in middle of each wire, near the "x" points.
Connect short, unlooped RG-6 coaxial cable between antenna and HDTV converter/tv.
Coat Hanger HDTV Antenna: Better Than Store Bought! AMAZING!
Alternative design for very long range reception: http://www.digitalhome.ca/ota/superantenna/design.htm
