Antenna Handbook

The best passive TV antenna: Best Buy Essentials Thin Indoor HDTV Antenna

The Best Buy Essentials Thin Indoor HDTV Antenna is a great option for a passive TV antenna. It is affordable, easy to set up, and can receive both UHF and VHF channels. It is also small and discreet, so you can easily hide it away.

Here are some of the pros and cons of the Best Buy Essentials Thin Indoor HDTV Antenna:

Pros:

  • Affordable
  • Easy to set up
  • Receives both UHF and VHF channels
  • Small and discreet

Cons:

  • May not be as effective in areas with weak signals
  • May not be able to receive all channels

Overall, the Best Buy Essentials Thin Indoor HDTV Antenna is a great option for a passive TV antenna. It is a good value for the price and is easy to use. If you are looking for an affordable and effective way to watch local TV channels, then this is a great option to consider.

Here are some other passive indoor TV antennas that you may want to consider:

  • RCA ANT311E: This is a basic antenna that is good for basic reception. It is not as effective as some of the other antennas on this list, but it is a good option if you are on a budget.
  • Mohu Leaf: This is a thin, flat antenna that is easy to hide. It is also very effective at picking up UHF channels.
  • Winegard FlatWave: This is a larger antenna that is more effective at picking up VHF channels. It is also a good choice for people who live in areas with a lot of interference.

The Best Indoor HDTV Antenna

 Here are some of the best indoor HDTV antennas:

  • Antennas Direct ClearStream Flex: This is a great all-around antenna that is good for picking up both UHF and VHF channels. It is also relatively inexpensive.
  • Mohu Leaf: This is a thin, flat antenna that is easy to hide. It is also very effective at picking up UHF channels.
  • Winegard FlatWave: This is a larger antenna that is more effective at picking up VHF channels. It is also a good choice for people who live in areas with a lot of interference.
  • RCA ANT311E: This is an affordable antenna that is good for basic reception. It is not as effective as some of the other antennas on this list, but it is a good option if you are on a budget.
  • GE FlatWave Amplified: This is an amplified antenna that can help to improve reception in areas with weak signals. However, it is important to note that amplified antennas can also amplify noise, so it is important to position them carefully.

The best indoor HDTV antenna for you will depend on your specific needs and location. Consider the following factors when making your decision:

  • The distance to the broadcast towers: The farther you are from the broadcast towers, the more powerful of an antenna you will need.
  • The type of terrain between you and the broadcast towers: If there are a lot of hills or buildings between you and the towers, you will need a more powerful antenna.
  • The types of channels you want to receive: Some antennas are better at receiving UHF channels, while others are better at receiving VHF channels.
  • Your budget: Indoor HDTV antennas range in price from around $20 to $100.

Once you have considered these factors, you can start shopping for an indoor HDTV antenna. Be sure to read reviews before making a purchase to make sure that you are getting a quality product.

The KV delta antenna at 27 MHz

courtesy https://www.antennas27.com/27dl2-smartech.html

The KV delta antenna at 27 MHz is a type of antenna that consists of three elements, namely two vertical elements and one horizontal element. Vertical elements are usually made from metal pipes or aluminum rods, while horizontal elements are made from coaxial cables. The KV delta antenna at 27 MHz has the main advantages of high transmit power and long range.
Here is how to make a KV delta antenna at 27 MHz:

The calculation design of a KV delta antenna at 27 MHz depends on the desired length of the antenna. The formula for calculating the length of the vertical elements is:

length = wavelength / 2

where wavelength is the wavelength of the radio waves at 27 MHz. The wavelength of radio waves at 27 MHz is 11.1 meters.

So, the length of the vertical elements of a KV delta antenna at 27 MHz would be:

length = 11.1 meters / 2 = 5.55 meters

The length of the horizontal element is not as critical, but it should be at least half the length of the vertical elements.

The following table shows the calculated length of the vertical elements for different frequencies:

Frequency (MHz)Length of Vertical Elements (meters)
275.55
1442.78
4321.39
9000.69

The KV delta antenna can be mounted in a variety of ways, but the most common way is to suspend it between two supports. The supports should be at least as high as the length of the vertical elements.

The KV delta antenna is a directional antenna, meaning it is more effective at transmitting and receiving radio waves in a specific direction. The direction of maximum radiation is perpendicular to the plane of the antenna.

The KV delta antenna is a good choice for amateur radio operators who want to transmit and receive radio waves on the 27 MHz band. It is also a good choice for long-range communication.

Here are some additional considerations for the design of a KV delta antenna at 27 MHz:

  • The antenna should be located away from any metal objects, as these can interfere with the radiation pattern.
  • The antenna should be mounted as high as possible, as this will improve the range of the antenna.
  • The antenna should be oriented in the direction of the desired signal.
Material:
Two vertical elements, each 1.2 meters long
One horizontal element, 1.5 meters long
RG-58 coaxial cable
BNC connector
Tools and materials for cable splicing
Steps:
Cut two vertical elements 1.2 meters long.
Cut one horizontal element 1.5 meters long.
Connect vertical and horizontal elements using RG-58 coaxial cable.
Connect the coaxial cable to the BNC connector.


Explanation:

Vertical elements function to transmit radio waves up and down.
Horizontal elements function to emit radio waves to the sides.
Coaxial cables function to connect vertical and horizontal elements.
The BNC connector functions to connect the antenna to the radio.

Key points:
Position vertical and horizontal elements at the same height.
Make sure the coaxial cable is securely attached to the vertical and horizontal elements.
Use a quality BNC connector to avoid signal leakage.

Antenna test:
Once the antenna is complete, you can perform a test to check whether the antenna is working properly. To carry out the test, you can use a radio with a frequency of 27 MHz.
Following are the steps to perform a KV delta antenna test at 27 MHz:
Turn on the radio and set the frequency to 27 MHz.
Connect the antenna to the radio.
Look for radio stations that have a strong signal.
If you can hear the radio station clearly, then the antenna is working properly.

Tips:
To increase the antenna range, you can use longer vertical elements.
To increase the antenna gain, you can use a reflector.
That's how to make a KV delta antenna at 27 MHz. Hope it is useful!

Sloper K1WA

 

The K1WA sloper antenna is a type of sloper antenna, but it is specifically designed for the 80-meter band. The antenna in the image is a general-purpose sloper antenna that can be used for a variety of bands.


The K1WA sloper antenna is a type of sloper antenna that was designed by David, K1WA, in the early 1980s. It is a half-wave dipole antenna that is mounted at an angle of 45 degrees. This design gives the antenna a gain in the direction of the lower end, and a null in the direction of the upper end.

The K1WA sloper antenna is a good choice for DXing, as it can provide good gain for long-distance reception. It is also a good choice for amateur radio contesting, as it can help to improve signal-to-noise ratio.

The K1WA sloper antenna is a relatively simple antenna to build. It can be made from a piece of wire, a mast, and a feedline. The wire should be cut to the desired length, and the mast should be tall enough to support the antenna. The feedline should be connected to the antenna at the center.

Here are the steps to build a K1WA sloper antenna:

  1. Choose the desired length of the antenna. The length of the antenna will depend on the frequency band that you want to use. For example, an antenna for the 80-meter band should be 40 meters long.
  2. Cut the wire to the desired length.
  3. Attach the wire to the mast. The wire should be attached at the center of the mast.
  4. Connect the feedline to the antenna. The feedline should be connected to the antenna at the center.

Here are some additional tips for building a K1WA sloper antenna:

  • Use a high-quality wire. A good quality wire will help to ensure that the antenna performs well.
  • Use a mast that is tall enough to support the antenna. The antenna should be at least 10 feet above any obstructions.
  • Use a feedline that is matched to the impedance of the antenna. A mismatched feedline can cause signal loss.

Once the antenna is built, you will need to tune it. You can do this using an antenna tuner. The goal is to get the antenna to resonate at the desired frequency.

Here are some of the advantages of K1WA sloper antennas:

  • They provide good gain for long-distance reception.
  • They are relatively easy to build.
  • They are relatively inexpensive.

Here are some of the disadvantages of K1WA sloper antennas:

  • They can be directional, which can be a disadvantage for some applications.
  • They can be affected by wind and weather.

Overall, the K1WA sloper antenna is a versatile and effective antenna that is well-suited for a variety of applications.