Simple Ways to Make a TV Antenna with a Wire Hanger

Download Article

A simple but effective way to catch local TV signals

Written by Nicole Levine, MFA

Last Updated: October 28, 2025 Fact Checked

Download Article

Simple TV Antenna

|

Digital TV Antenna

|

Video

|

Things You'll Need

If your TV antenna is broken or you don't want to invest in cable service, you can use common household items like a wire coat hanger to make your own over-the-air antenna. Hangers can be used to make simple, less-effective antennas, or more complex digital antennas that will give you a much better chance at getting some free channels. This wikiHow article will teach you how to make an antenna and find channels for your TV using metal coat hangers.

Quick Steps

Sand the hanger to the wire.
Unbend the hanger, leaving the hook intact.
Unbend a paperclip into an S shape.
Place scotch tape over the TV's coaxial input.
Insert the paperclip into the coaxial input.
Attach the hanger to the paperclip.
Browse for channels.

Method 1

Method 1 of 2:

Making a Simple Wire Hanger Antenna

Download Article

By removing any paint or coating on your hanger, you will increase its ability to conduct electricity to and from your TV. Use sandpaper or any sort of sanding tool to remove the coating.^{[1]
X
Research source}
When unwinding your hanger, be sure to leave the hook intact. Otherwise, if your hanger is not wound, cut one side directly below the base of the hook.

Advertisement
Ultimately, your paper clip should look something like an eighth note or a Z or S (depending on its orientation).
It will likely look like a small, circular, metal tube with a little hole in the center.^{[2]
X
Research source}
Covering the end of the connector with a bit of scotch tape will help prevent the paperclip from shorting out the connector.^{[3]
X
Research source}
6
Push the paperclip into the connector. When inserting the paperclip, be sure to use the small, straight end that juts out at a 90º angle. Using the analogies above, it would be the top of the eighth note/Z/S.
- You may need to use electrical tape to hold the paperclip in place.^{[4]
  X
  Research source}
Be sure that the point where the hook of the hanger touches the paperclip has been fully sanded for the best connection.
Switch to your TV's "antenna" input, then flip from channel to see what comes in.
Repositioning your antenna and TV can give you access to more channels, so try moving both around your house and testing how many options each location has.

Method 2

Method 2 of 2:

Making a Digital Wire Hanger TV Antenna

Download Article

From the top of the board, make a small mark 2 inches (5.1 centimetres) in. Add a second mark 5.75 inches (14.6 centimetres) from the first mark, a third mark 5.75 inches (14.6 centimetres) from the second mark, and one final mark 5.75 inches (14.6 centimetres) from the third mark. Go in 0.5 inches (1.3 centimetres) from the edge at each of those marks, then make a clearer mark to denote where you will screw.^{[5]
X
Research source}
Your metal hangers will essentially serve as wires in this antenna, so there is no need for the hooks to remain attached. Once you have cut four hangers in half in the middle of the long base section, you should be left with 8 V-shaped hanger pieces.^{[6]
X
Research source}
These Vs will face outwards from your antenna, picking up TV channels from nearby stations. Also, try to make the angle at the base of the V as well-defined as possible. Some coat hangers have a more gradual curve at each end, but it will be easier to build the antenna out of pieces with sharp angles.^{[7]
X
Research source}
These pieces should be as straight as possible for the upcoming steps. You can attempt to straighten them with your hands, but pliers will make the process much easier.
The room under each screw is so the bases of your V pieces can fit around them.^{[8]
X
Research source}
6
Weave your straightened hangers around the screws. One hanger should wrap around the outside of the bottom-left screw, the outside of the two middle-right screws, and the outside of the top-left screw. Then, wrap the second hanger opposite the first, starting at the bottom-right screw, then continuing along the board.^{[9]
X
Research source}
- Individually, the hangers should look something like brackets with bent ends.
- Once both hangers are attached to the board, the resulting shape should resemble a rectangle with an hourglass on each end.
By exposing the bare metal of your hangers, your antenna will achieve better conductivity.
Stopping the two wires from coming in contact will essentially prevent an electrical “feedback loop” in your antenna. Using the analogies above, the points where the wires overlap would be the middle of the hourglasses.
These ends will serve as the projections of the antenna intended to pick up TV channels.
10
Attach an impedance-matching transformer to the front of the board and tighten your screws. An impedance-matching transformer allows maximum power transfer by matching the impedance of the antenna and the TV.^{[10]
X
Research source} Depending on the transformer, you may be able to attach it using two more screws in the middle of your long wires or by soldering it on.
- If you are using more screws, be sure to sand the long wires where they touch the screws to increase the flow of electricity through the antenna!
The cable will connect to your impedance-matching transformer on the antenna and the coaxial connector on your TV. Your TV’s coaxial connector should look like a small metal tube with a hole in the center.
12
Turn your TV on, search for channels, and reposition your antenna (optional). Moving your antenna can give you access to more channels, so try moving it around your house and testing how many options each location has.
- The closer you are to a broadcasting station, the more likely you will be to find some channels.