I have recently wanted to start watching HDTV without paying for the special HDTV channels on Cable TV. I read on the internet that it was possible to build a simple antenna to go on the roof that would get in the UHF channels that make up the bulk of the HDTV channels.

I was surprised how easy it was to make a Bowtie Dipole antenna. All I need was a 2×4, a piece of plywood, aluminum foil, and some stiff wire. I cut the wire into 14 inch pieces and then folded them in a v shape. I put 4 of them 7 inches apart on the 2 by 4 and connected them with wires to 300 ohm antenna lead.

The results were awesome. It was no problem getting all of the local channels once I mounted it on the side of the house.