Bow Tie Antenna

PROPOSAL NO.
1: Bow Tie Antenna

The Bow Tie Antenna is a simple design that can be found in many variations on the web. It can
be made with a 2x4, some coat hangers, aluminum foil and a few other common parts. While
very inexpensive to build, this design is able to pull in stations from 45 and 50 miles away.

PROPOSED BOW TIE ANTENNA DESIGN
Many combinations of antenna elements and reflectors can work well for many different
reception situations which works best in these 3 sizes for TV channels 7 - 52.
In a 4 or 8 bay antenna the 9 1/2" whisker bowtie with 9" bay spacing works better in the mid
VHF-HI channels and UHF channels and is a good overall general purpose choice.
In a 4 or 8 bay antenna the larger 10" whisker bowtie with 9 1/2" bay spacing works better in the
lower VHF-HI channels and lower-mid UHF channels.
In a 4 or 8 bay antenna the smaller 9" whisker bowtie with 8 1/2" bay spacing works best in the
upper VHF-HI channels and mid to upper UHF channels.

9 1/2" whisker bowtie with 9" bay spacing

WHISKER DETAILS

PHASE LINE DETAILS
9 1/2" x 9" phase line long X

9 1/2" x 9" phase line short twist

9" whisker bowtie with 8 1/2" bay spacing
WHISKER DETAILS

PHASE LINE DETAILS
9" x 8 1/2" phase line long X

9" x 8 1/2" phase line short twist

10" whisker bowtie with 9 1/2" bay spacing
WHISKER DETAILS

PHASE LINE DETAILS

10" x 9 1/2" phase line long X

10" x 9 1/2" phase line short twist

REFLECTOR
The reflector can be a very important part of the antenna and can be tailored to get different
results for certain situations. About anything metal will make a reflector in general larger
diameter tubing or strips of flat stock can be spaced further apart and still achieve good rear
rejection as compared to wire. Even good old aluminum / Tin foil strips running horizontally on a
piece of cardboard will do the trick.
The key to a good reflector is the spacing between the horizontal running elements within the
reflector and to make it the right width for the desired channels.
Angled Reflector

Curved Reflector

4 Bay Assembly Instructions

Step 1
Contents should include
(1) paper template
(4) round PVC stand-offs
(1) feed point stand-off
(10) 8-32 x 3/8" screws
(10) 8-32 lock washers

Step 2

Attach the paper template in position on your choice of mounting surface (back bone), make
sure the template is straight and tight. Use the line to help center the template on the mounting
surface (back bone), some tape on each end should secure it into position. The mounting points
are marked on the template with a +, the feed point is the center mark.
Mark or drill the 5 mounting points on your back bone and remove the template
See Figure 1 for details

Step 3

When attaching the stand-offs leave the screws slightly loose during this step.
Attach the feed point stand-off in the center first then attach the (4) round PVC stand-offs in the
remaining spots.
See Figure 2 for details

Step 4
Find the whisker assemblies labeled 1 and 2, these should be attached to the left hand side of
the antenna with 1 in the upper left and 2 in the lower right.
Using the 8-32 x 3/8" screws and lock washers attach the assemblies as shown in Figure 3, only
lightly tighten the screws at this time.
Leave the feed point screws off at this time

Step 5
Find the whisker assemblies labeled 3 and 4, these should be attached to the right hand side of
the antenna with 3 in the upper right and 4 in the lower right.
Using the 8-32 x 3/8" screws and lock washers attach the assemblies as shown in Figure 4, only
lightly tighten the screws at this time.
The feed point screws can be installed loosely at this time to make sure everything is aligned.
During shipping the bow in the crossover phase lines may get tweaked, in order for everything
to line up they may have to be readjusted. If alignment is still a problem recheck your back bone
mounting holes with the template
Step 6
Tighten all the screws except the feed point screws, the feed point screws can be tightened
when your balun or feeder wire is attached.

PROPOSE OUTPUT
We assume to have an output antenna of either of the following:
1. 3/4 PVC using the notched stand-offs without the reflector

2. Mounted to a piece of wood using the flat back stand-offs

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PROPOSAL NO.

1: Bow Tie Antenna

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