Every so often over the years, I resurrect the idea of the “Wrong Tool/Right Tool” series. It generally happens when I find out that someone is using something for a purpose it wasn’t intended for. Don’t get me wrong here. I love it when our Solid Signal fans are enterprising and smart. I also think it’s great when you can “upcycle” something instead of tossing it away. And I too have been known to take on a project just to see if I can make it work.
On the other hand, there’s usually a reason why the things you buy are better than the things you make, and when that happens, I write an article like this one.
WRONG TOOL: Coat Hanger and 2×4.
We said it before: Yes, you can use a coat hanger as an antenna. But given the makeup of most coat hangers, you’ll need a pretty big 2×4 to make it work as well as a compact antennas. A 2×4 filled with coat hangers isn’t anyone’s idea of modern art, and given the low amount of gain, you’ll probably want to put it outside where its very construction makes it a fire hazard. It won’t be any more durable than any other antenna out there and it’s sure to look a lot uglier than most antennas.
The coat hanger antenna works because of the same basic properties that all antennas work from. If you have a chunk of metal of roughly the right size, it’s going to receive the signals you want. It really doesn’t matter what that metal is. It’s just a matter of whether or not it receives those signals particularly well.
RIGHT TOOL: Antenna
This one’s a no-brainer. Even our least expensive antenna will run rings around a homemade coat hanger contraption of similar size and it will do so in style. This Televes antenna does an incredible job at pulling in distant signals considering its small size. Why? Because coat hangers are made of iron which just doesn’t conduct electricity as well as silver or aluminum. Conducting electricity is what antennas are all about, right? There’s no question about it. The coat hangers and the 2×4 are a better value up front, because you can probably can get all the materials for under a dollar. In the long run, is it going to get you the reception you need? Maybe, if you’re close enough to the towers. But for long-term performance and reliability, a professionally-designed antenna will work better for most people.
Get the antenna you really need from Solid Signal
If you’re ready to start saving money on live TV, you owe it to yourself to check out the great selection of antennas at Solid Signal. We have all the best brands at the best prices, combined with the best customer service. If you’re not sure which antenna you need, call us! We answer the phone, which is something you can’t say about those larger sites you visit. When you call us at 888-233-7563, you’ll get an antenna expert on the phone. They’ll let you know exactly what you need to get great TV reception in your area. If it’s after hours, no problem! Fill out the form below. We’ll get back to you, usually within one business day.
