Computer controlled OTA TV antenna.

Parallel port add-on to set the direction of an antenna. it could be used for most any antenna, but I did it for the hdtv antenna (http://www.instructables.com/id/Yet-another-dtv-antenna/).

Note: This instructable requires programming. I did not include my code for legal reasons.

Warning: Please be careful with this project. Not properly hooking wires correctly could cause shock and or even death. You could also damage your computer and other electronic parts. Please get a professional electronics technician to help if you are not sure what to do. . Please use a breadboard first before doing any soldering. Get expert help if you are not sure.

Step 1 Whats needed:

Computer:
PC with parallel port.
Linux (can be easily done on MSWindows also)
Freebasic compiler (available for both mswindows and linux)

Parts:
1 - 5 wire stepper motor from an old 5 1/4" floppy drive (or equivalent).
1 - 1 x 1 inch square flat plastic for mounting tube.
1 - parallel port breakout cable (i.e.http://www.instructables.com/id/No-solder-parallel-port-break-out/ or http://www.instructables.com/id/Mini-parallel-port-break-out-cable/) or an equivalent.
1 - OTA TV antenna ( i.e. http://www.instructables.com/id/Yet-another-dtv-antenna/)
1 - 1/2 to 3/4 inch two foot pvc pipe. low pressure pipe is ok.
2 - 1/4 inch screws (long enough to go through pipe and the antenna, 4 washers, and 2 nuts,
1 - uln2803 or equivalent integrated chip (i.e. nte2013)
1 - socket for the above chip.
1 - small plank to hold stepper motor steady.
Solder
Glue
Wire
Optional: breadboard for testing circuits before soldering (recommended)

Tools:
Multimeter
Compass
Saw
Soldering Iron

Other website information to be named later.

Comments

[Lectric Wizard]

Nicely done, & well explained for the newbies ! Just something I noticed in the second pix in step 5 , should the chip be labled uln2803 not uln 2003 ???. THANKS !!

[Computothought]

Thanx for the fine comment. Sharp eye. Since we are only using 4 data lines the uln2003 (7) or the uln2803 (8) lines will work if you are careful with the pin outs. I used the uln2003 for testing.

NTE2013 = uln2003
NTE2018 = uln2803

[chrwei]

is that a Commodore monitor? I spent many hours as a teen staring at one of those

[Computothought]

Thanx for asking. Yes it is. It is hooked up on the back side via svideo cable from the vga card.

[Computothought]

Honored!! This instructable made Hackaday!
http://hackaday.com/2011/01/26/stepper-directed-hdtv-antenna/?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+hackaday%2FLgoM+%28Hack+a+Day%29

[Computothought]

Very true!

[kd1s]

Or you can order a stepper from the likes of MPJA, Sparkfun, etc.