Channel Master 100 Installation Guide

InstallationOff-Air AntennaGuideSolutions ForThe Professional Installer

TOOLS, MASTS & HARDWARE REQUIREMENTS9MOUNTING SITES AND RELATEDPROCEDURESAttic InstallationsAn attic installation (Figure 4-3) may work in areaswh

TOOLS, MASTS & HARDWARE REQUIREMENTS10Chimney MountsChimney Mounts (Figure 4-7) are used more frequent-ly than other types of mounts, but they oft

TOOLS, MASTS & HARDWARE REQUIREMENTS11However, if cost savings or limited space require it, aproperly guyed base mount will usually work. Unlikea

TOOLS, MASTS & HARDWARE REQUIREMENTS12Wall MountsMany types of wall mount brackets are available.However, many of them are poorly made and will no

TOOLS, MASTS & HARDWARE REQUIREMENTS13Firmly clamp the antenna to the upper end of themast. Insert the mast into the base hole or rest it onthe de

TOOLS, MASTS & HARDWARE REQUIREMENTS14Vent Pipe MountingVent pipe mounting (Figure 4-16) secures the antennaand mast to the plumbing (gas) vent th

SELECTING & INSTALLING TRANSMISSION LINE15Selecting and Installing Transmission LineTransmission line or downlead, is the wire thatcarries the sig

SELECTING & INSTALLING TRANSMISSION LINE16Next, pass the twinlead through a standout orstandoff (Figure 5-4). Install the standout on eitherthe ma

SELECTING & INSTALLING TRANSMISSION LINE17Installing Coaxial CableBecause 75 ohm coaxial cable is shielded (Figure 5-6),it is completely unaffecte

SELECTING & INSTALLING TRANSMISSION LINE18Note: Always make a drip loop (Figure 5-9) at theentry point so that water will run off the line and not

INTRODUCTIONINTRODUCTION1The information in this manual has beengathered from some of the most experiencedantenna installation professionals in thecou

GROUNDING PROCEDURES19CHAPTER SIX: GROUNDING PROCEDURESThe National Electrical Code (NEC) requires thatevery antenna installation be grounded. Alsoman

SELECTING & INSTALLING GUY WIRES20Consistent, safe support of antenna installationsover 10 feet above the uppermost wall bracketor roof mount depe

SELECTING & INSTALLING GUY WIRES21The guy wires are attached to the upper half of eachmast section with guy ring and clamp. The ring andclamp are

ANTENNA ROTORS22CHAPTER EIGHT: ANTENNA ROTORSArotor or rotator is a mast-mounted, motor-drivendevice (Figure 8-1) that permits the TV viewerto conveni

ANTENNA ROTORS23The “reference wire” is either wider or is a differentcolor than the other conductors. Connect it toterminal No. 1. Connect the middle

ANTENNA ROTORS24As previously mentioned, a loop of transmission wiremust be left between the antenna and the drive unitto prevent the line from becomi

ANTENNA-MOUNTED AMPLIFIERS25CHAPTER NINE: ANTENNA-MOUNTED AMPLIFIERSAmast or antenna-mounted amplifier (preamp)is used primarily to eliminate “snow” o

ANTENNA-MOUNTED AMPLIFIERS26Although the ideal preamp usually is the one with thelowest noise figure and the highest gain, compromisessometimes must b

MULTI-SET RECEPTION27Many homes have more than one TV set.Others have at least one FM radio receiverand VCR. Consequently, the installer oftenmust use

MULTI-SET RECEPTION28Before attempting multi-set reception with passivedevices, use a field-strength meter to measure thesignal strength at the receiv

ANTENNA SELECTION2CHAPTER ONE: ANTENNA SELECTIONBasically, a receiving antenna is a device forintercepting the electromagnetic waves orsignals, sent f

ANTENNA SELECTION29TV-FMSPLITTERFig. 10-5. A diagram of a typical medium-sized home MATV system.

TROUBLESHOOTING30Antenna Systems InterferenceThere are times when despite all the careful planningand attention you’ve given an installation, outsidei

TROUBLESHOOTING31INTERFERENCEAdjacent Channel InterferenceThough it is not uncommon, often the signals of onechannel will show up as interference on t

TROUBLESHOOTING32CB and/or Ham Radio InterferenceStrong, local signals transmitted by Citizens Band(CB) or Amateur Radio (Ham) operators can cause api

TROUBLESHOOTING33GENERAL TROUBLESHOOTINGGUIDELINESWhen servicing an existing system, be sure to checkthe strength and quality of the signals being rec

SELLING & INSTALLING SYSTEMS34Selling and installing TV antenna systems hasbeen, and will continue to be, a profitablebusiness for competent insta

SELLING & INSTALLING SYSTEMS35Business Bank AccountsEstablish a business checking account, preferably ata bank with which you are familiar. Pay as

SELLING & INSTALLING SYSTEMS36If you use only the best quality antennas, masts, hard-ware, and related components, you should havecomplete confide

SELLING & INSTALLING SYSTEMS37As an installer, you can buy antennas and relatedmaterials at a sizable discount. You can reasonablyadd 30-40% to an

SELLING & INSTALLING SYSTEMS38Encourage the retailer to display one or more antennason his sales floor. A good in-store display like that inFigure

Fig. 1-1. The principal parts of a basic Yagi-type TV antenna.Fig. 1-2. A VHF/FM broadband TV antenna.Fig. 1-6. FM antenna.Fig. 1-3. Various desig

SELLING & INSTALLING SYSTEMS39A well-chosen business name is important. Somebusinesses spend a large amount of money to developa name and logo. (A

GLOSSARY40GLOSSARY OF ANTENNASYSTEM TERMSAcrylic Insulator–A plastic material that is used toweatherproof outdoor antenna system connections.It is app

GLOSSARY41Element, Antenna–The small, hollow metal rods ofvarious lengths that are attached (usually perpendic-ularly) to the main horizontal support

GLOSSARY42Lug, Terminal–See Terminal Lug.Mast, Antenna (TV)–A vertical section (or sections)of tubular steel or aluminum on which the antennais mounte

GLOSSARY43Signal Mismatch–A condition in which an antennasystem delivers signals whose strengths and generalquality vary. This usually is the result o

TELEVISION CHANNELSChannelNumber23456FMABCDEFGHI78910111213JKLMNOPQRSTUVWAABBCCDDEEFFGGHHFrequencyBandMHZ54-6060-6666-7276-8282-8888-108120-126126-132

ANTENNA SELECTION4If you are in doubt about the amount of gain required,select an antenna that is slightly larger than you thinkis actually needed. Th

SAFE INSTALLATION PROCEDURES5CHAPTER TWO: SAFE INSTALLATION PROCEDURESThere are extremely important safety factors toconsider. Learning and following

MOUNTING FOR OPTIMUM SIGNAL STRENGTH6CHAPTER THREE: MOUNTING FOR OPTIMUM SIGNAL STRENGTHIdeally, an antenna should be mounted at the pointwhere the si

MOUNTING FOR OPTIMUM SIGNAL STRENGTH7Antenna output signals of 500 uV and above are con-sidered adequate. Any signal level below 1,000 uV willrequire

TOOLS, MASTS & HARDWARE REQUIREMENTS8CHAPTER FOUR:TOOLS, MASTS & HARDWARE REQUIREMENTSToolsThe majority of the tools and equipment you will ne