Rooftop television antenna installation

Rooftop television antenna installation: so many homes today
pay for cable and satellite which costs money. Why not install
a Television antenna and save.

The proper antenna, correctly installed, can improve television reception dramatically. To get the most out of any antenna, mount it as high as possible. This means the roof usually. Typical mounting sites are the chimney, the side of the house where the roof peaks, and directly on top of the roof along the ridge.

Installing a rooftop antenna can be dangerous. Roof work carries with it dangers of a fall, and there is a risk of shock as well. Never let the antenna or lead-in come close to a power line. It is also important that the finished structure be sturdy and durable enough to withstand high winds, icing and corrosion.

  Two types of antennas lead-ins are in general use: 

Flat twin wire and coaxial wire. Cable is more durable, more weatherproof, and less prone to pick up interference. Twin-wire is much less expensive and conducts the television signal from antenna to set with considerably less loss than cable.

Install the lead-in line as directly as possible. Do not let it lie on the roof where it can be buried by ice and snow, and avoid horizontal runs. Use standoffs to keep the lead-in line away from gutters, drain pipes and other metal objects. A minimum standoff distance of 7 1/2 inches is safe. Never run the line inside a drain pipe. Feed the line into the house through an upward slanting hole drilled into it's side rather than through a window, particularly an aluminum storm window.

Attach the lead-in to the antenna through a strain relief device before you raise the mast into position. Leave slack at the top if you have an antenna rotator. To avoid roof leaks, be sure the base of the mast does not press on the roof and try to place mounting screws so they penetrate beams rather than unsupported roofing. Caulk all screw holes and mounting plates with fiber reinforced roofing cement.

Once the mast is up, the antenna must be aligned for optimum reception, usually pointing to the direction of broadcast, before locking it in position. You can do this by having someone watch the television set while you adjust the antenna, or else, hook up a portable TV nearby.