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Wave Length Table.

Rabbit Ears come with new TV sets, are inexpensive, and easy to set up. On VHF they should be horizontal at 1/2 wavelength tip to tip The best length tip to tip depends on the channel. PLEASE NOTE: Actual best length of a dipole antenna is about 91% of that of 1/2 wave in free space, so to be precise about this, the lengths below are already reduced by approx. 9%. See this if you don't understand wavelength.

FREQUENCY-LENGTH List USA-Canada-Mexico, Central America and Parts of South America. Frequencies world wide can be found in the ABE Engineers Handbook (455 kB).
Channel # Frequency Ant Length Inch Length CM
Channel 2 (54-60 MHz)102'259
Channel 3 (60-66)92' 234
Channel 4 (66-72)83' 211
Channel 6 (82-88)72' 183
FM (88-108)57' 145
Channel 7 (174-180)32' 81
Channel 8 (180-186)31' 79
Channel 9 (186-192)30' 76
Channel 10 (192-198)29' 74
Channel 11 (198-204)28' 71
Channel 12 (204-210)27' 69
Channel 13 (210-216)26' 66
Channel 14 (470 Mhz+ 6 MHz each add'l ch.)12' 30
Channel 69 (794)7' 18
This table for 1/2 wave antennas shows slightly less than 1/2 wave length in free space to correct for "end effect" which makes wires appear slightly longer than they actually are.

You will notice the length does not change much from channels 7-13 or UHF Ch 14-69. Also, note we have a different way to use rabbit ear antennas on UHF channels. But first...

You have to get the rabbit ear antenna away from interference.

For example, computers cause interference. And did you know modern TV sets, VCRs, & DVDs contain computers? YES! The TV makes interference with TV reception. So, move that rabbit ear away from the TV! Here is how I did it.
One way to get rabbit ears away from your TV - click to expand image
Yah, I know it is ugly, but reception is much better. To do this you have to get a extention cord for your antenna. The wire is called co-axial cable, the connector an "F" connector.
Coax in hand F connector
You can get co-ax with F connectors already attached, or buy an expensive crimp tool and some inexpensive F connectors and do it yourself. Remember.... IF YOU MUST USE RABBIT EARS...

Never place rabbit ears on top of OR NEAR a TV, or near a computer.

Other sources of household interference include florescent lamps, compact florescent lamps, cordless phones, and fish tank heaters. Turn one off at a time to find the culprit. If the picture is contaminated by pure random dots (snow) signal quality is limited by signal strength. Look for a stronger spot. Interference is not a problem. If the picture is contaminated by patterns of any sort, picture quality is limited by interference. See more on interference.
Some other Rabbit Ear Pointers.
  1. A 1/2 wave dipole captures more signal when the wire is perpendicular to a line from the transmitting antenna. See Chart. As the rabbit ear is a dipole, this rule applies. Sensitivity is minimum off the ends of the rods.
    Polar chart of pick up pattern of a dipole
  2. Walls absorb signal. Results will be better if your rabbit ear antenna is on the side of the home facing the transmitter you want to receive. If you are local, see our list and map of Anchorage area stations. Otherwise, consult the FCC WWW site.

  3. Using Rabbit Ears ON UHF. On UHF rabbit ears can be used in a different mode, more like a half rhombic antenna. This gets you some gain over a basic rabbit ear (dipole). Here is how I did UHF with rabbit ears.
    Rabbit ears as a half rhombic for UHF
    The axis of the angle formed by the rabbit ear points toward or away from the desired station, sort of. The antenna elements should be stretched out as long as possible, as you get greater gain and directivity as the elements get longer. This is not like VHF where you should adjust length according the channel wavelength.

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