Build a DVB-T antenna yourself - how it works

Building a DVB-T antenna yourself is uncomplicated and quick. In this practical tip, we will show you two different construction methods that you can easily remodel at home.

Build the right antenna

Our first example is a double quad antenna, which has a much better reception than the normal, short DVB-T antennas.

• If you are in an area with very good coverage, you can also build the simple antenna that you can find at the end of the article. You do not have to calculate the frequency range for this.

The necessary frequency DVB-T transmitter

Building a DVB-T antenna is not difficult to implement, but must be prepared thoroughly. You must first calculate your antenna. Because, depending on the region, programs are broadcast on different frequencies.

• Find out which transmitter or transmitter tower is sending you the signals. Most of the time, this is the closest station.
• Find out your frequency in this table from "ueberallfernsehen.de".

Double quad DVB-T antenna

This antenna consists of four half-wave dipoles arranged diagonally one above the other. The size of the squares is calculated using the center frequency of the different channels.

1. Find the lowest and highest frequency at your location in the table (for Berlin-Alexanderplatz for example: 506 and 778).
2. Subtract the lowest from the highest (in the example: 778-506 = 272).
3. Divide this value by two (272/2 = 136).
4. Then add the lowest frequency (136 + 506 = 642).
5. Now calculate the wavelength: speed of light (299, 792 km / s) divided by the frequency calculated above (299, 792 / 642 = 466.97).
6. Convert this value from mm to cm (466.97mm -> 46.70 cm)
7. An antenna with 46.7 cm would be quite large - but you can divide the number by a straight divider (for example 4) and then get a better value - here 11.675 cm.
8. Take the shortening factor into account by multiplying the square side length by 0.97 (here: 11.675 * 0.97 = 11.32).
9. You have now calculated a side length - in the example for Berlin-Alexanderplatz we would be 11.32cm.

Materials for the DVB-T antenna

You need the following materials to build the antenna.

• Copper wire (thickness: 1.5 or 2 mm²) with a length of eight times the side length that you calculated previously (in the example 8 * 11.32 = 90.56cm). However, the wire should be slightly longer than specified.
• antenna cable
• soldering iron
• tongs

How to build the double quad DVB-T antenna

1. Measure eight times the square side length and mark it on the copper wire.
2. Bend the wire on a 90 degree edge (e.g. table edge). Start in the middle of the quad.
3. Disconnect the rest of the wire. Leave a small piece of wire protruding so that they lie side by side on the edge.
4. Solder the ends together as cleanly as possible - the solder should not be too hot and should shine after cooling.
5. Take the antenna cable at hand and disconnect the end that has a hole (see picture). The "male" plug must remain on the cable!
6. Carefully remove 1.5 cm of the insulation from the cut. You should not scratch the wire mesh underneath.
7. Push the wire mesh that now emerges and twist it into a cable.
8. Underneath, further insulation and a copper cable appear. Remove the insulation by around 5 millimeters.
9. Now solder the copper cable and the wire mesh to the antenna, where the squares meet. On the other side, solder on the wire mesh. Both must not touch each other.
10. Now hang the finished antenna on the wall with a nail or a thumbtack and align it towards the transmitter.

Play video

Materials for the simple DVB-T antenna

The simple DVB-T antenna does not have such good reception, but it is built much faster, even without the hassle of frequency calculation. You need these materials:

• antenna cable
• side cutter
• Carver or cable stripping pliers

How to build the simple DVB-T antenna

• Also cut off the antenna end with a hole here, the best way to do this is to use the side cutter.
• Now remove 41 cm of the plastic insulation from the plug-free side. Use the carver or the cable insulation pliers for this.
• Now a wire mesh appears. Pull this back over the plastic jacket. You need a lot of patience here.
• Cut 31 cm from the now exposed wire. 10 cm remain.
• Your simple DVB-T antenna is ready.

More tips for hobbyists in the CHIP special issue: screwing, chopping, repairing

The great inventor guide from CHIP - so you get the most out of your devices! 150 pages of professional tips from the editorial team on the topics of PC & notebook, WLAN, multimedia, photo and smartphone. The highlights of the DVD: 77 hardware tools, 16 videos and 1750 products in the test

• Build an SSD using only USB sticks, simply amplify your WLAN and build an iPhone Luper - we show you how!
• In the CHIP kiosk you will find the CHIP special issue either as a booklet or as a PDF for download

Find out exactly where the difference between DVB-T and DVB-C lies in this practical tip.