Build a Large DB8 HDTV Antenna: Big Bertha

Step 6 Mounting the whisker spline to the reflector

The following pictures are just various views of the same thing. The whisker spline mounted to the reflector. this mounting can be accomplished many ways. You could cut pieces of plastic pipe and use it as spacers for example. I decided to use some more of the plastic board to create a fin between the splines. I thinned it out a bit on my planer (if it looks thinner to you).

It is attached to the rear and front spline with 2 inch galvanized sheetrock screws. 5 or 6 on each side. It seems solid. Be sure to notice the measurement parameters on the diagrams for how high it needs to be raised.

Also notice the whiskers have been bent forwards 2 1/2 inches to coincide with the wings of the reflector. In actuality, this thing could have been made flat. But only the reflector directly behind the whiskers would have deflected a signal to them. The bent configuration creates slightly more reflection and therefore slightly more signal to the whiskers. But not much. Remember, I'm looking for fringe signals. You may not be in that position. Stations might be closer for you.

Comments

[niko75]

at what distance captures this antenna signal that I'm 70 miles away and did not know I will make this antenna work or not?

[deceiver]

Odd wording of your sentence. I'll attempt to answer it. 70 miles is a far distance but it's also determined by line of site. If you've got hills or mountains or lots of trees between you and the tower then it might not reach. Look down in the instructions I give and there are links that will let you type in your zip code and help you determine the signal strength of a station from it to your house. It will also show you the terrain between it.