TV Antenna Installation

There are some basic Standard Practices for installing an antenna and cables to get the best signal, and have a durable and as safe as possible installation.

Antennas should be mounted
•	as high as possible,
•	clear line-of-sight to towers.

Circular Tubing
• 5 - 6 feet long.
• 1.25 inch outer diameter.
• 18 gauge galvanized steel.
Never connect more than 2 sections.

Some mast are straight tubing. Some mast are angled, commonly called a J mast. Many J mast have built-in mounting hardware that can be adjusted for roof or side structure mounting.

MAST MOUNTS
There are various types of mast mounting brackets that come with different stand-off spacing lengths. Use a spacing that ensures the clearance needed.

Chimney Mount

Two secured straps with mounting brackets wrapped around a chimney. Do NOT use if chimney exhaust is from a fire place, wood or coal burner, or other excessive heat source.

Eave Gable Mount

Homes with a roof eave can use an Eave Gable mast mount. It uses 3 mounting points and a cross bar on the side of the home where the roof top peaks.

Side Structure Mount

The mast is mounted to the side of the home using 1 or 2 mount points. Two mount points have much better wind resistance. Insure the mast stand off spacing clears any obstructions.

J Mast / Mount

Mast and mounting hardware in a single assembly. Adjustable mount angle to set for side structure or rooftop mounting. Mast diameter is typically 1 inch and 20 inches long. Single point mount.

Tripod Mast / Mount

A smartphone compass app can be used to locate True North to determine antenna pointing angle. When using a magnetic compass account for the difference between True and Magnetic north. See NOAA's Magnetic Declination Website. Note that local conditions could effect magnetic readings. If possible use landmarks to confirm or establish true north.

RG-6 Quad Shield coax cable is the Industry Standard for outside TV cables.

COAX CABLE INSTALLATION
Antenna Connection -- Use a WEATHER BOOT to protect connector. -- LOOP the cable around the mast. Secures the cable from wind loosening connection. Extra cable for repairs, new antenna, etc. -- Tie-wrap cable to mast. Secure Cable -- Use INSULATED CABLE STRAPS to secure to siding. Ground Block Antenna cable goes to ground block. Another cable runs to home conduit. Ground block close to home conduit. -- Leave enough space for a drip loop. Protect connections with a weather boot or hermetic connectors. Home Conduit Use a DRIP LOOP just before the cable enters the home. Prevents water from collecting at the conduit.

COAX CABLE INSTALLATION

Antenna Connection
-- Use a WEATHER BOOT to protect connector.
-- LOOP the cable around the mast.
- Secures the cable from wind loosening connection.
- Extra cable for repairs, new antenna, etc.
-- Tie-wrap cable to mast.
Secure Cable
-- Use INSULATED CABLE STRAPS to secure to siding.
Ground Block
- Antenna cable goes to ground block.
  Another cable runs to home conduit.
- Ground block close to home conduit.
  -- Leave enough space for a drip loop.
- Protect connections with a weather boot or hermetic connectors.
Home Conduit
Use a DRIP LOOP just before the cable enters the home.

Prevents water from collecting at the conduit.

The antenna mast and the coax cable should be grounded by connecting them to the electrical service earth ground. The ground wire should be AWG 10 (Number 10), or heavier, solid copper wire.

Ground Wire

AWG 10 (#10) solid copper wire.
(Diameter: 0.101890 in, 2.58801 mm)
Continuous, no splice connections.
Run as straight as possible.
Bare or insulated.

AWG -- American Wire Gauge

A copper (Cu) or bronze Ground Clamp connects the ground wire to the antenna mast. Don't use an aluminum (Al) clamp.

There are 2 methods for grounding antennas and outside cable systems, Single POINT and Single WIRE grounding. Single POINT Ground is specified for all outside antennas in some local electrical codes, and sometimes preferred for active antennas (preamp and/or rotor). Single WIRE Ground is a littler cleaner installation and common when using passive antennas (no preamp and/or rotor).

Single POINT Ground

Active or Passive Antenna.
2 ground wires:
- Antenna mast to earth ground.
- Ground block to earth ground.
Some local electrical codes require.

Single WIRE Ground

Passive Antenna (no preamp or rotor).
1 ground wire:
- Antenna mast to / through
  ground block to earth ground.
Cleaner installation.

EARTH GROUND
The antenna and cable ground wire connect to the electrical service earth ground rod. The service ground rod runs directly from the power meter into the ground. A ground clamp or a bonding termination is used to connect the ground wire to the power service ground rod.

An antenna mast or cable within 5 feet of a swimming pool must be bonded to the pool bounding grid (ground).

SUMMARY
Antenna Mounted as high as possible. Pointed toward broadcast towers. Clear path to towers. Coax Cable Outside Cables Quad Shield. Looped around and secured to mast. Drip Loop just before entering home. Weather boot on outside connectors -- antenna, ground block, cable-to-cable. Coax Ground Block Mounted near the home conduit. Ground Wire AWG 10 (#10) solid copper wire. Run as straight as possible. Continuous, no splice connections. Bare or Insulated. Grounding Method Active antenna -- Single POINT Ground. Passive antenna -- Single POINT or WIRE Ground. Earth Ground Electrical Service Ground

SUMMARY

Antenna
- Mounted as high as possible.
- Pointed toward broadcast towers.
- Clear path to towers.
Coax Cable
- Outside Cables Quad Shield.
- Looped around and secured to mast.
- Drip Loop just before entering home.
- Weather boot on outside connectors
  -- antenna, ground block, cable-to-cable.
Coax Ground Block
- Mounted near the home conduit.
Ground Wire
- AWG 10 (#10) solid copper wire.
- Run as straight as possible.
- Continuous, no splice connections.
- Bare or Insulated.
Grounding Method
- Active antenna -- Single POINT Ground.
- Passive antenna -- Single POINT or WIRE Ground.
Earth Ground
- Electrical Service Ground

Basic tools needed include a ladder and assorted screwdrivers, wrenches, sockets, and maybe a hammer etc. You will also need a wood and/or concrete drill, and appropriate drill bits and screws.

Typical Parts List

Quantity	Description	Function
Components
1	Antenna	VHF / UHF (RF 02-69) VHF-Hi / UHF (RF 07-69) UHF (RF 14-69)
1	Mast & Mounting Hardware	mount antenna
1	Coax Ground Block	grounds coax cable
1 - 3	Ground Clamps copper (Cu) or bronze	mast & earth ground A bonding termination can be used for earth ground.
Cables
in feet	Coax Cable (RG-6, RG-11, RG-59)	Television RF Signals
in feet	AWG 10 Copper wire	ground wire
Hardware
3 or more	rubber weather boots	Cover coax connections
multiple	insulated cable straps	mount cables
multiple	mounting screws	ground block / cable straps
multiple	tie wraps / zip ties	secure cables

Also see:
•	Reception / Signal Factors /
	-- Antenna Height Ground Loss -- Attic and Room Antenna Loss.
•	Hardware / Antennas.