Q&A for How to Use Your Home Wiring as a TV or Radio Antenna

Return to Full Article

Coming soon

Add New Question

Question

Where do I find a coaxial cable adapter for turning my home wiring into an antenna? Where do I find the part and what company makes it?

wikiHow Staff Editor
Staff Answer
This answer was written by one of our trained team of researchers who validated it for accuracy and comprehensiveness.

wikiHow Staff Editor

Staff Answer

These adapters were never made by reputable companies. The premise behind using your home wiring as an antenna is deeply flawed. If you use one of these, you may permanently damage your TV, and it's extremely unlikely that you'll be able to pick channels up unless you live within 5 miles of the broadcast signal.

Thanks! We're glad this was helpful.
Thank you for your feedback.
If wikiHow has helped you, please consider a small contribution to support us in helping more readers like you. We’re committed to providing the world with free how-to resources, and even $1 helps us in our mission. Support wikiHow
Yes No

Not Helpful 3 Helpful 3
Question

Where can you buy an adapter in 2021? I tried major retailers but found no results.

wikiHow Staff Editor
Staff Answer
This answer was written by one of our trained team of researchers who validated it for accuracy and comprehensiveness.

wikiHow Staff Editor

Staff Answer

Those adapters were never safe in the first place, and it looks like most retail websites have stopped selling them.

Thanks! We're glad this was helpful.
Thank you for your feedback.
If wikiHow has helped you, please consider a small contribution to support us in helping more readers like you. We’re committed to providing the world with free how-to resources, and even $1 helps us in our mission. Support wikiHow
Yes No

Not Helpful 6 Helpful 3
Question

Can I use a speaker wire for a TV antenna?

wikiHow Staff Editor
Staff Answer
This answer was written by one of our trained team of researchers who validated it for accuracy and comprehensiveness.

wikiHow Staff Editor

Staff Answer

This is an interesting idea, and it could theoretically work for the same reason that the paper clip solution works. Unfortunately, much like the paper clip solution, you're very unlikely to get any kind of signal unless you live right next to the broadcast station. An actual antenna will only run you $30 or so, and it's going to be a much better solution.

Thanks! We're glad this was helpful.
Thank you for your feedback.
If wikiHow has helped you, please consider a small contribution to support us in helping more readers like you. We’re committed to providing the world with free how-to resources, and even $1 helps us in our mission. Support wikiHow
Yes No

Not Helpful 3 Helpful 1
Question

Where can you purchase a plug-in antenna wall adapter for coaxial cables?

wikiHow Staff Editor
Staff Answer
This answer was written by one of our trained team of researchers who validated it for accuracy and comprehensiveness.

wikiHow Staff Editor

Staff Answer

While those adapters occasionally worked for some people, this was never a particularly safe or reasonable option. The current in your home's wiring is just too strong. As a result, it looks like most manufacturers have stopped making these adapters.

Thanks! We're glad this was helpful.
Thank you for your feedback.
If wikiHow has helped you, please consider a small contribution to support us in helping more readers like you. We’re committed to providing the world with free how-to resources, and even $1 helps us in our mission. Support wikiHow
Yes No

Not Helpful 2 Helpful 1
Question

Can I use this method with other antennas? My location is in a valley and you can't pick up a cell phone signal unless you're connected to WiFi.

wikiHow Staff Editor
Staff Answer
This answer was written by one of our trained team of researchers who validated it for accuracy and comprehensiveness.

wikiHow Staff Editor

Staff Answer

If your cell phone is struggling to pick up a signal, your TV is likely going to have the same problem. One thing you can do is use the FCC's search tool and enter your address to see which signals are being broadcast where you live.

Thanks! We're glad this was helpful.
Thank you for your feedback.
If wikiHow has helped you, please consider a small contribution to support us in helping more readers like you. We’re committed to providing the world with free how-to resources, and even $1 helps us in our mission. Support wikiHow
Yes No

Not Helpful 2 Helpful 0
Question

My stereo receiver does not have a coaxial hook-up, just the ground and FM-AM. Can I use the plug-in wall adaptor?

wikiHow Staff Editor
Staff Answer
This answer was written by one of our trained team of researchers who validated it for accuracy and comprehensiveness.

wikiHow Staff Editor

Staff Answer

No, the home wiring coaxial hack only ever worked for TVs. Even then, it was never safe to do it in the first place. If it wasn't safe with a TV, it wouldn't be safe with a receiver, so rest easy knowing that you aren't missing out on anything!

Thanks! We're glad this was helpful.
Thank you for your feedback.
If wikiHow has helped you, please consider a small contribution to support us in helping more readers like you. We’re committed to providing the world with free how-to resources, and even $1 helps us in our mission. Support wikiHow
Yes No

Not Helpful 1 Helpful 0
Question

Would this work In a mobile home?

wikiHow Staff Editor
Staff Answer
This answer was written by one of our trained team of researchers who validated it for accuracy and comprehensiveness.

wikiHow Staff Editor

Staff Answer

Your best bet in a mobile home is going to be a $30-40 antenna. Yes, you'll need to buy the antenna up front, but it's a one-time cost and you're going to have plenty of channels to choose from depending on where you live.

Thanks! We're glad this was helpful.
Thank you for your feedback.
If wikiHow has helped you, please consider a small contribution to support us in helping more readers like you. We’re committed to providing the world with free how-to resources, and even $1 helps us in our mission. Support wikiHow
Yes No

Not Helpful 0 Helpful 0
Question

I have a large antenna in my attic in the center of the house. I get OPB FOX, but that's all. I also have two signal boosters connected to the antenna. Putting holes in my ceiling will not help with reception. What can I do?

wikiHow Staff Editor
Staff Answer
This answer was written by one of our trained team of researchers who validated it for accuracy and comprehensiveness.

wikiHow Staff Editor

Staff Answer

If that's all you're getting and you already have signal boosters, then unfortunately that's all you're going to get. Broadcast signals only reach 50-60 miles in most cases, so it's likely that you just live too far away from the other broadcasts.

Thanks! We're glad this was helpful.
Thank you for your feedback.
If wikiHow has helped you, please consider a small contribution to support us in helping more readers like you. We’re committed to providing the world with free how-to resources, and even $1 helps us in our mission. Support wikiHow
Yes No

Not Helpful 1 Helpful 0
Question

How to repair antenna connection 'inside' the wall outlet?

Community Answer

Call your ISP -- they will explain and possibly call the contractor to fix it because he or she is the one overall in charge of wiring it.

Thanks! We're glad this was helpful.
Thank you for your feedback.
If wikiHow has helped you, please consider a small contribution to support us in helping more readers like you. We’re committed to providing the world with free how-to resources, and even $1 helps us in our mission. Support wikiHow
Yes No

Not Helpful 7 Helpful 1