How to Build a High Definition Antenna

• 1). Measure and cut a piece of the insulated copper to 14 inches. Using the utility knife remove exactly one inch of the insulation at both ends and one inch exactly in the center of the wire. Repeat this step to produce eight pieces of wire exactly the same.
  
  
• 2). Using the wires in the above step, carefully bend each wire in the middle with the pliers so that each side measures 7 inches and forms half of the bowtie. There should be exactly 3 inches of space between the ends of the bowtie. This is important so the antenna will be properly phased.
  
  
• 3). Cut the 2x4 wood to measure approximately 30 inches in length and lay flat.
  
  
• 4). Measure 3 inches from the top of the 2x4 and one inch of the edge and mount one of the eight bowties to the flat side of the board using the screws and washers. Mount a second bowtie 3 inches from the top and once inch from the other side. When complete you will have two halves mounted to form a complete bowtie.
  
  
• 5). Measure down from the screws of the first bowtie excactly 5 inches and using the screws and washers mount two wires to again complete the second bowtie. Repeat this step measuring down five inches until the two remaining bowties are mounting using all eight of the wires from step one. The eight pieces of wire now form four bowties on the 2x4.
  
  
• 6). Take a piece of copper wire and strip the insulation of one end and mount it to the top left bowtie screw. Cross over to the right side and mount the wire to the two middle bowties on the right. Take note to remove the insulation only where the wire will connect to the screws. Cross back over to the bottom left bowtie, cut the wire to fit and strip the insulation off the end and mount it to the screw.
  
  
• 7). Take the remaining piece of copper wire and strip the insulation off the end and mount it to the bowtie on the top right side. Cross over and mount the wire to the two middle bowties on the left side. Take note to strip the insulation off only where the wire will connect to the screws. Cross back over to the bottom right bowtie, cut the wire to fit and strip the insulation off the end and mount it to the screw.
  
  
• 8). Turn the 2x4 board over with the bowties side facing down. Center the grate across the four bowties and mount the 15x20 inch grill grate on the backside using the screws and washers. Make sure that the grate does not touch the bowties.
  
  
• 9). Turn the antenna back over so the bowties are facing up. Measure dead center on the wires between the two middle bowties and strip away the insulation. Using the screws and washers, mount the balun to each wire.
  
  
• 10
  
  Center the bottom end of the 2x4 on the 1x1 plywood base. Mount the 2x4 bowtie antenna vertically to the 1x1 base using the screws. Screw them from the bottom of the plywood up into the end of the 2x4.
  
  
• 11
  
  Perform a final check of all the bowtie ends. Make sure is exactly a 3-inch spread between the ends of each bowtie and that the bowties are even spaced.