Articles by Phil Karras

Bow Tie Antenna Angle Tests

This is the last article in the series of bow tie (BT) antenna tests. In this test, the angle used, or put another way, the separation distance between the two ends of the BT “V,”…



The Free Radio Frequencies

Recently I learned that the FCC is proposing to change a few things in the personal radio service. Some History: At one time, the only free personal radio service was the CB (Citizen Band) radio…


Virtual vs. Real Channels

With the change to DTV we ended up with “Virtual” Channels what are these? The “real” channels are the channels the TV stations are using to transmit on. Back before HDTV, the channel number told us…


Simple Dipole and Bow Tie Antennas

Let’s go over a few things about dipole antennas that I have picked up while being an amateur radio operator. I will start with what is known and go from there. I will then apply…


The Porcupine Antenna

This antenna was an extension of an idea I had back in 2002, and had an article published about the precursor antenna in Popular Communications, in January 2003: “Phil’s Easy Way To Improve Your UHF TV Reception.”…


An Amplified Indoor TV Antenna

I was given an antenna by a family member who didn’t want it any longer: It is the RCA, ANT 140. The label said: Thomson Consumer Electronics, Deptford NJ 08096-2088. I don’t know who the…







Gain, Loss, and Noise Figure

I was looking at the “Understanding CEA Antenna Marks for Outdoor Antennas” page on the Solid Signal site, located here: Understanding CEA Antenna Marks for Indoor/Outdoor TV Antennas when I read what seemed to me to…


My Signals Are Getting Weaker

Back in the winter of 2013-14, we had some very big ice storms here in the Washington, D.C. / Baltimore area, which took out a large number of branches and a few trees as well….