Section #1 mounting basics
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Choose a stable mount. There are several mounts to chose from. The two mounts popular mounts because of their stability and adaptability are the 5 foot tripod and the eave mount. .
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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 it's a larger antenna. If you will be using a rotor keep the mast pipe within a foot of the last support of the mount, just enough to mount 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, MS 2000, miniMAX etc.
Eave Mount 5' Tripod
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Section #2 rotor Basics
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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 20" is sufficient to mount the antenna into the rotor. The end result is the boom of the antenna is about 30 to 35 inches above the last mast support creating a stable mount. The less an antenna wiggles and jiggles the longer it will last.
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Channel Master Rotor Model 9521
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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.
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The installation order of things goes like this.
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Each particular item comes with directions pertaining to assembly and installation.
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Install the mount according to the type you have.
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Assemble the antenna according to the instructions. The TV antenna mounts to the mast pipe using the U-bolt assembly included. Winegard antennas and the EX-HD antenna mount to mast up to 1 7/8 inches and the UP 7 antenna up to 1.5", both outside diameter.
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Section #3 preamplifier Basics
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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"
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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.
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The second picture is the antenna installed in an upright position.
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The third picture is the bottom of the preamplifier with the antenna input and the down lead cable connected.
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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"
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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 BlockA ground block should be installed on the coax cable down lead at a point just before the cable enters your home.
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From the ground block output run coax cable indoors to the preamplifier power 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 supply low voltage electricity (via the coax cable) up to the preamplifier at the antenna. It can be located as little as a few feet from the antenna preamplifier up to 150 feet away. No signal splitters should be installed between the mast mounted preamplifier and the indoor power injector unless voltage blocks are use. See: Using voltage blocks
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Now run cable from the power injector output connection labeled "TV" to the TV or to a signal splitter for multiple TVs and then to the TVs.
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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 above link, it's great to go from the antenna output into the preamplifier input.
Preamplifier power injector
Winegard Preamplifier power injector and power transformer
Included with all Winegard preamplifier's.
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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 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
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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.
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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 then 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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There are several cable fastener's available. Outdoors, one of my favorite cable fastener is still the stand-off style but the screw clips are fine, and the nail clips are best used indoors. Be sure to waterproof all outdoor coax cable connection using waterproofing filler.
>>Ground Wire >>>>><Ground Strap<<<<Ground Block, Rod and Wire
>>>>>>>Ground Block>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>Ground Rod
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Section # 5 Basic TV Antenna System Configuration
and Wiring Diagram
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TV Antennas, amplifiers, rotors and mounts.
Detailed information for the do it yourself TV antenna installer
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