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TV antenna installation guidelines for better TV reception.

TV antenna preamplifier, mount, rotor, cabling, grounding and much more including TV antenna
installation diagram .

Digital OTA TV now offers more channels all with outstanding picture and sound quality. My
advice is to use a quality product, do the job right the first time and you'll only have to do it
once. Below are basic TV antenna and accessories installation guidelines.

How to set up a TV antenna

Section #1 TV Antenna Mounting


Choose a stable mount. There are several mounts to chose from. The two most popular
mounts because of their stability and adaptability are the 5 foot tripod and the eave
mount. .

In high wind areas keep the mast pipe as close (low) to the last mast support as
possible. Keeping the mast pipe to within a few feet of the top of the mount is best
especially if a larger antenna is in use. If you will be installing a rotor keep the mast pipe
between the rotor and the antenna as short as possible. This will reduce the stress on the
pivoting portion of the rotor. If a rotor will not be used mount the antenna within 5 feet of
the mount for larger directional antennas and up to 10 feet when installing smaller antennas
such as the EZ-HD.

Eave Mount 5' Tripod


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Section #2 Antenna rotor basics
If you will be using a rotor Keep the top mast pipe above the rotor as short as
possible (the pipe between the rotor and the antenna). I usually find that about 3-4 feet
pipe length is sufficient to mount the antenna into the rotor. The end result is the boom of
the antenna is about 40 to 50 inches above the last mast support creating a stable mount.
The less an antenna wiggles and jiggles the longer it will last.
.
Channel Master Rotor Model 9521
.
Keeping the mast at a minimal height increases the stability of the antenna and reduces the
stress on the rotor. This adds to the longevity to both the antenna and rotor.
.
The installation order of things goes like this.
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Each particular item comes with directions pertaining to assembly and installation.
.
Install the mount according to the type you have.
You may want to visit:
How to install a tripod mount
How to install a eave mount
.
Assemble the antenna according to the instructions. The TV antenna mounts to the mast
pipe using the U-bolt assembly included. Winegard antennas, the EZ-HD and the HD Stacker
antennas mount to mast pipe up to 1 7/8 inches.
.
Section #3 Antenna preamplifier basics
The preamplifier mounts to the mast pipe just below the antenna and is secured using the
U-bolt included. Mounts to mast pipe up to 1.5"
.
In the first picture the TV antenna is upside down on its back with the preamplifier
mounted to the mast located in a position that will be below the antenna when it's installed
upright.
.
The second picture is the antenna installed in an upright position with the preamplifier
mounted to the mast just below the antenna.
.
The third picture is the bottom of the preamplifier with the antenna input on the left and
the down lead cable that leads into the home on the right.
.
With the mount, mast pipe, (rotor if necessary), preamplifier, and antenna installed run a
short piece of coax cable from the antenna output to the preamplifier input connection
labeled "ANT input"
.
Bottom side of a Winegard mast mounted preamplifier

Next run cable from the preamplifier output connection labeled "to power supply" to
a ground block.

Ground Block
A ground block should be installed on the coax cable down lead at a point just before the
coax cable enters your home.
.
From the ground block output run coax cable indoors to the preamplifier power
inserter/supply connection labeled "ANT".

The power supply/injector is included with the preamplifier and is pictured below. It is
installed indoors and requires an electrical outlet. Its function is to inject low voltage
electricity into the coax cable and supply the mast mounted preamplifier with power via the
coax cable. the power injector/supply can be located as little as a few feet from the antenna
preamplifier up to 150 feet away. No signal splitters should be installed on the coax cable
between the mast mounted preamplifier and the indoor power injector unless voltage blocks
are in use. See: Using voltage blocks
.
Now run cable from the power injector output connection labeled "TV" to the TV or to
a signal splitter for multiple TVs and then from the signal splitter to the TVs.
.
We offer coax cable in various lengths with the connector ends attached ready to install on
our coax cable page. Notice the 2.5 foot piece of cable at the coax cable link, it's great to go
from the antenna output into the preamplifier input.

Want to make your own cable lengths? See: How to install coax cable end connectors
Preamplifier power injector
Winegard Preamplifier power injector and power transformer
Included with all Winegard preamplifier's.
.
In the illustration above the bottom left cable is the down lead connection coming from the
mast mounted preamplifier. The top connection is to the TV or signal splitter and then to
the TV's and the bottom right connection as you can see goes to the electrical outlet.
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Section #4 TV antenna system wiring grounding basics
Now run a ground wire from the TV antenna mount to a suitable ground such as a ground
rod. The ground wire can be connected using a mast pipe strap or it can simply be securely
wound under a bolt on the antenna mount and tightened.
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Run a ground wire from the coax cable ground block to the ground. The ground block should
be installed on the coax cable down lead at a location near to where the coax cable enters
the building.
You can use good quality black electrical tape to secure the coax cable to the mast/mount. I
use 3M electrical tape, it's sticks well and holds up to the cold and sun. Cut the tape rather
than pulling and breaking it. It will stay put much longer (many years) if you cut it and
don't stretch the tape.
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>Ground Wire >>>>>< Ground Strap<<<< Ground Block,
Rod and Wire
>>>>>>> Ground Block>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> Ground Rod
View grounding accessories
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Section # 5 Basic TV Antenna System Configuration and Wiring Diagram

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