[pdxuser]

I have a cheap portable digital TV with an external antenna but no coax input. How can I improve the reception? Get a regular digital antenna and wrap some kind of wire around its coax prong and around the TV's antenna? If so, what type of wire? Might there exist a niche product that's just a bare wire with a female coax plug on the end?

 

[Calaveras]

In order to connect it correctly you need to connect the center conductor and the shield of the coax to the TV. That probably means you need to take the TV apart and solder a short piece of RG-179 or RG-187 to the board and put an F connector on the end of the coax. Chances are that the tuner chip is 75 ohm impedance.

http://www.pasternack.com/f-female-standard-rg179-rg187-connector-pe44326-p.aspx

 

[Ratman]

What's the make and model number of the TV?

 

[AntAltMike]

Some small TVs used to have a 1/8" mini plug jack for antenna reception. There is an F-to-mini plug adapter for that situation.

 

[Andrew K]

It's important to know what type of portable TV you're talking about. I own the Auvio 3.5" portable TV for example, and it has a hidden MINI coaxial input. So I popped off the rubber plug on the side of the TV, and it was hiding behind that. I attached this product...

http://www.getmyelectronics.com/collections/antennas/products/replacement-antenna-adapter