|
How to Select and Install a Quality TV Antennas System
A worksheet of sorts, How to Select and Install a Quality TV Antennas
System provides a step by step guide that makes it possible for even the
novice to install a quality, trouble free TV Antennas system. One that
provides excellent reception better than cable or satellite and best of
all it’s free. With the introduction of HDTV and ever soaring cable
bills the TV Antennas is making a big comeback.
With an electrical background and years of TV Antennas experience (more
than I like to mention) I have attempted to provide a one-stop
information page that provides the information to make it possible for
anyone to select and install a TV Antennas system. I have also scoured
the internet in search of the best TV Antennas websites and placed their
links near each topic so you may easily visit each site and return to
this page.
The first thing to understand is there is no difference between a HDTV
Antennas and a TV Antennas it’s nothing more than a marketing ploy. I
have provided a couple of articles that address this confusing issue
very well. HDTV Antenna Fact or Fiction and No such thing as an HDTV
antenna. For additional information on this subject visit the links
below.
Additional Resources
HDTV Primer
Bogus TV Antennas
Consumers Electronics Association
Wacky/Tacky TV Antennas
Selecting the TV Antennas
The first step is to go to the Consumer Electronics Associations website
antennaweb.org submit your address and zip code. They will in return
provide you with a list of the TV stations in your area. The distance
and direction the transmitting towers are from your location. They will
even recommend what type and size of TV Antennas is best for your
location.
Many factors can effect TV reception. Most difficulties can be overcome
with the proper knowledge and equipment. For an example, if a medium
sized antenna is recommended for your location and you live in a wooded
area surrounded by miles of dense woods you may want to choose a larger
TV Antennas to compensate for the reduced signal strength created by the
trees. The same goes for low or high elevation at the location of the
antenna installation. If you live on a hill surrounded by miles of open
land a smaller than recommended antenna may be used, and just the
opposite for low elevation. Buildings, hills, trees can all block
signal, examine your terrain carefully before you select your TV
Antennas. One more thing, antennas installed outside work better than
those installed inside. TV antennas installed above the highest roofline
of your house and your neighbors if possible, work better than those
installed below the roofline. If your TV station transmitters are within
50 or 60 miles you may want to consider an omnidirectional TV Antennas.
Sometimes referred to as the round TV antenna, these antennas are small,
inexpensive, easy to install and do not require rotation.
Additional TV Antennas Resources
Understanding TV Antennas Range
Erecting a TV Antennas
Getting Better TV Antennas Reception from Your TV Antennas
TV Antennas Selection
Choosing & Installing an TV Antennas
Selecting the TV Antennas Amplifier
A TV Antennas amplifier referred to as a preamplifier usually necessary
to achieve high quality TV reception. Preamplifiers don’t actually
improve the antenna performance even though it appears that way. What
they really do is provide amplification of the TV signal at the TV
Antennas, boosting the signal to a level that is greater than the signal
loss that occurs as the signal travels through the down lead cable from
the TV Antennas to the TV(s). There are two parts to a preamplifier. The
outdoor portion that is installed near the TV Antennas is the amplifier.
The indoor portion installed along the down lead cable run is called the
power supply or power injector. The down lead cable feeds in and out of
each unit. The amplifier amplifying the signal, the power injector
supplying the power to the amplifier via the down lead cable. Things to
consider before you buy the antenna amplifier. Do not purchase an
amplifier larger than really needed. This page selecting a TV Antennas
amplifier is an excellent source, providing information to help you
determine what size amplifier is right for you. If you do purchase an
amplifier that has considerably more amplification than required for
your TV Antennas system, signal overload may occur. Also consider the
noise figure rating for each particular amplifier. Noise is measured in
decibels or dB. The lower the noise dB number is the better. Generally
anything under 3 dB is acceptable. If the antenna preamplifier
manufacturer does not readily offer the dB noise rating for a particular
amplifier, it usually means the noise figure is poor for that amplifier,
and not acceptable.
Additional TV Antennas preamplifier Resources
TV Antennas Amplifiers, the Good, the Bad and the Ugly
Mast Mounted TV Antennas AmplifiersTV Antennas Amplifier Basics
Understanding TV Antennas Amplifiers
Selecting A TV Antennas Rotator (Rotor)
The TV Antennas rotator often referred to as a rotor has one purpose. To
turn your TV Antennas to obtain optimum reception when TV transmitters
are in different directions from your location. If your area TV
broadcast towers are all located in the same direction a rotor will not
be necessary. If you haven’t already, visit antennaweb.org to determine
the location of the transmitters in your area. Rotors consist of two
parts. The outdoor motor unit and the indoor control unit. The outdoor
motor unit is located below the TV Antennas and turns your antenna to
the desired direction. The indoor control unit indicates the direction
the antenna is pointing and allows the user to control the direction of
the TV Antennas. Generally a wire must run from the motor unit to the
control unit. This wire is called the rotor wire. As I write this I have
begun testing a new rotor that just came onto the market from an U.S.
manufacturer called Eagle Aspen. What makes this rotor unique is it uses
the coax down lead to control the motor. The use of a separate rotor
wire is not necessary. Both the Channel Master and Eagle Aspen units are
operated by the use of an infrared remote control. When choosing your
rotor quality is the most important consideration. Beware there are
inferior rotors on the market. Most of these inferior rotors are
manufactured by the same company and sold under many different names.
The Channel Master Corporation has been manufacturing quality rotors for
many years.
Additional TV Antennas Rotor Resources
TV Antennas Rotors and Installation
Which Way to Point a TV Antennas
Rotors (TV Antennas Rotators, Motorized Antenna Aimers)
Selecting the TV Antennas Mount
There are five basic TV Antennas mounts.
The most popular is the tripod. The tripod has three legs and can be
installed, straddling the roof peak or on a flat roof. When properly
installed the tripod is a sturdy trouble free mount.
One of my favorite mounts is the antenna eave mount. The eave mount is
installed to the eave facing at the peak of the roof and is a non
roof-penetrating mount.
The chimney mount uses straps around the chimney to hold two corner
antenna - mounting brackets securely to the chimney. This mount should
only be used on brick or block chimneys.
Wall brackets may be used to install a standing pole along side of the
house, burying the pole several feet into the ground. If the distance
from the ground to the bracket is more than fifteen feet I recommend the
use of two brackets. Locate the second bracket halfway between the top
bracket and the ground.
Antenna tower is rarely used today mainly do to the high cost and
difficult installation. If you decide to install a tower, I recommend
that you hire a professional to do the job.
Additional TV Antennas mounting Resources
How to Install a TV Antennas Tripod
How to Install a TV Antennas Eave Mount
Selecting and Installing TV Antennas Coax Down Lead
When installing coax cable, fasten the wire securely. Failure to do so
will result in eventual reception failure. Unfasten wire will rub
against objects wearing through the rubber coating of the wire and
allowing water to enter the cable. Select only good quality wire, I
recommend nothing less than RG 6 coax cable.
|
