You Can Build This Adorable HDTV Antenna
Use this adorable Quad Tetrode “Shrink Ray!” HDTV antenna designed by Marc G for free channels.
Don’t let the cable companies and streaming services fool you: there is plenty of free entertainment zipping through the air around your house at all times. Until a couple of decades ago, it was common practice to watch analog TV received with a standard set of “rabbit ear” antennas. But then in 2009, the US government stopped analog TV broadcasts in favor of the digital broadcasts. That switch seemed to confuse a lot of people and antenna usage never quite recovered. But if you’re ready to give it another try, you can build this adorable Quad Tetrode “Shrink Ray!” HDTV antenna designed by Marc G.
Like those old rabbit ear antennas on tube TVs, this will provide many TV channels that are completely free to watch. But unlike in the analog days, these broadcasts are digital and usually HD to suit your sleek new LCD TV. The available channels will depend on where you live, but anyone near a major city should get good reception across a multitude of channels. Just hook up the antenna, tell you TV to scan for channels, and then you’re off to the races!
We’re not sure if this DIY antenna will work any better than the options available at your local big box store, but it will sure look cooler. The name isn’t accurate and was chosen by Marc G with the help of his daughter based on vibes. She came up with “shrink ray” because of the way it looks, and “quad tetrode” is just a couple of sciencey words thrown in for fun.
But that name, while technically meaningless, does seem to suit this antenna’s style. It is actually four antennas made from the copper wires inside coaxial cables, with sliced-up aluminum soda cans acting as reflectors. The four coaxial cables feed into a splitter, with the other side going to the TV’s input. Some laser-cut acrylic helps to hold everything together.
Marc G says that this is very directional, so an app like RCA Signal Finder can help users position it for optimal reception. Once done, you’ll have an antenna you’ll be happy to show off, instead of something you try to hide.