© Arlec Australia 2012 CPPO

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Arlec Australia Address: Building 3, 31-41 Joseph Street Blackburn North, Victoria, Australia 3130 Mail: PO BOX 1065, Blackburn North, Victoria 3130, Australia Phone: +613 9982 5000 Fax: +613 9982 5199 Sales Fax: 1300 360 650 Sales/Spare Parts Fax: 1300 360 650 (toll free) Phone: +613 9982 5111 Spare Parts: spareparts@arlec.com.au Customer Service: custservice@arlec.com.au Tech Support techenquiries@arlec.com.au

ANTSIG is proudly produced by Arlec Australia

A Guide This brochure is a guide to help you choose and install an Antsig digital TV antenna. Follow the three key steps detailed inside to help ensure your home project will be a success.While the user does not necessarily need to know the design aspects of antennas, it is assumed that they have the reasonable ‘handyman’ skills required in order to assemble, drill, screw, etc., those components necessary for antenna installation.Above all, the user must consider at all times the safety of themselves and of their colleagues and must not carry out any unnecessary work or action that may jeopardise person or property.While these instructions have been written with great care, Arlec Australia Pty Ltd cannot be held accountable for any damage to property or injury to persons resulting from the contents of this manual. If, at any time, you are unsure about performing any functions relating to antenna installation, please contact a professional.

SuCCeSSFuL AntennA inStALLAtiOnSuccessful antenna installation requires the following:• Strong collection of the TV signal.• Distribution of the TV signal.

Collection of the tV Signal• Choosing the correct antenna will ensure that enough signal

is collected to feed to your TV sets. The antenna’s ability to collect signal is decided on how many ‘elements’ are built into the antenna. Each element collects the passing TV signal and the more elements the antenna has, the more signal it collects.

• For houses close to the transmitter towers, there is usually adequate signal for a small antenna. Homes in fringe areas that are further away from the transmitter towers will require a large antenna to collect more signal to feed the TV set. Installations of more than 2 TV outlets will also require a larger antenna in order to collect the extra signal needed for sharing with the added TV sets.

distribution of the Signal • It is vital that you use correct distribution practices in order

to send this small signal from the antenna to the TV sets. It also requires that the signal collection is adequate before it can be distributed.

• The distribution network should include good quality terminations, the use of a larger antenna or distribution amplifier if more than 2 TV outlets are required, and/or the use of a masthead amplifier if in very poor signal areas.

• The use of RG6 quad shield cable is the most ideal cable to be using for digital signals, coupled with the use of F-connectors and associated splitters/products will ensure you have a good quality distribution network. This also includes the fly lead from your wallplate to your TV input.

PixeLAtiOn/nO SiGnALDigital TV sets now require the received signal level to be within its operating boundaries. A signal level between 45dBuV and 80dBuV is most ideal and will present a perfect picture. If the signal is outside of these levels pixelation will occur whether it is too much or too little.The most likely causes of pixelation will be poor signal collection. Though in some cases, having too large an antenna for your distribution network, or an amplifier that is not required, can cause too much signal for your TV. This can be reduced easily with the introduction of a splitter.To fix/prevent pixelation you can try the following:• Check antenna direction;• Check for sources of interference and noise – power cables,

exhaust fans, air-conditioners, etc. Try to avoid running coax cable within close proximity to these;

• Check all connections in the system for wear, corrosion and proper termination;

• Start behind the TV, then the cable connection with the antenna balun, before continuing through the distribution network;

• Try re-terminating connection points – this should eliminate any poor terminations - the most common cause in new installations. Again start at the rear of the TV, the antenna balun, then through the distribution network.

SAFetY POintS• Always plan your installation. Carefully think through the job

and don’t take dangerous shortcuts. Common sense and good judgement must be used at all times;

• Carefully survey the job before the installation to locate secure roof areas and the most convenient placement for ladders. Work out where the strongest points are for mast and cable mounting;

• Always let someone know you are working on the roof;• Do not climb on the roof when there is no-one else around;• Wear proper shoes that are non-slip;• Locate and avoid overhead power lines. Antennas must always

be installed away from over-head power lines and preferably at a distance equal to twice the combined length of the mast and antenna;

• Do not climb on wet or icy roofs NOR attempt to install the antenna during wet or windy weather;

• Only use the sturdiest of ladders and ensure they are securely anchored before climbing;

• Do not step onto roof valleys, these are often weak, even in new homes;

• Ensure that all roof structures are structurally sound before putting any weight on them or mounting antenna hardware to them;

• Always remember that you are standing on the roof, take your time and don’t be distracted by passersby;

• If installing an antenna within the roof cavity, ensure that the ceiling will support your weight.

HOW tO inStALL YOuR

teLeViSiOn AntennA

2 1

HOW tO inStALL YOuR teLeViSiOn AntennA

2 i

3 CAbLinG AntennAa. Antsig recommends RG6 quad shield with crimp or twist-on

type F-connectors for all installations. This ensures maximum rejection of external signals that may be detrimental to the transmission of received digital signals.• Cable runs should be made as short and as even in length

as necessary.b. Splitting the signal

• When splitting the signal it is beneficial to make splits as evenly as possible, i.e. in a central location.Note: A splitter splits the signal to the outputs regardless of the connections made. i.e. A 4 to 1 splitter will always give a ¼ of the power at each output, even if you only connect 1 TV;

• Splitting the signal into more than 2 ways, (using the correct antenna, in the correct area), consider using a distribution amplifier. See Option 2.Note: Electronic amplifiers require a good quality signal as an input to ensure a good quality signal is output - the closer to the antenna the better – thus it is recommended that distribution amplifiers be installed within your roof cavity and masthead amplifiers be installed on the mast as close to the antenna as possible;

• A masthead amplifier is recommended mostly for fringe areas, especially when located within undulating areas, or between large obstructions. It can be used in other areas to boost the signal strength to a more acceptable level if absolutely required.

An inStALLAtiOn OVeRVieW

MOuntinG AntennA Position• Mount at highest point practicable, the higher the better,

whilst also maintaining close proximity to antenna cabling;• Position in location

i. At the closest point to the broadcast transmitter, avoiding any obstructions between the antenna and the broadcast transmitter;

ii. Away from sources of RF noise – i.e. motors, etc.direction• Antennas are highly directional; point front of antenna

directly towards broadcast transmitter;• If the transmitter is not visible, position antenna in same

direction as neighbouring antennas. A compass and/or map can also help;

• Using the Antsig signal strength meter (AP9000) can greatly improve your success in achieving the optimal direction for maximum signal strength.

Polarisation• Is the transmitter broadcasting vertically or horizontally,

this will determine how the antenna is mounted; normal for horizontal or on its side for vertical;

• Again take note of the antenna positions in your immediate area.

HARdWARe CHeCk LiSt ❏ Antenna ❏ Mounting hardware - mast, brackets etc ❏ Coaxial cable - including cable clips ❏ termination - ‘F’ connectors (twist-on/crimp on) ❏ Splitter ❏ Wallplates - including plaster brackets ❏ tV flyleads

keY POintS tO ReMeMbeR• note your neighbours antenna type• See antenna maps on in-store touch screen • Your position to transmitter towers• Mount antenna high as possible with fewest obstructions

in line of sight with transmitter• use RG6 of quad cable for installation is recommended• terminate with F-connectors• keep cable lengths to a minimum

tOOLS RequiRed • Electric drill & drill bits, screwdrivers, stud finder,

step ladder, adjustable wrench and torch.

* ensure cables have a drip loop

deteRMininG AntennAa. Using the Antsig Antenna Selection Map for guidance,

consider the following: • Are you in Prime, Medium or Fringe area?• Your position with regards to the transmitter? • Your neighbours antenna – type & size?

Note: When using the Selection Map, take note of the transmitter icon. Its location? Is it UHF or VHF/UHF combination? Is it shown vertically or horizontally (polarization).b. Further considerations:

• Obstructions or undulating terrain between you and the transmitter?

• Installing more than 2 TV connection points?• Installing your antenna inside your roof cavity?

(Not suitable with colourbond/metallic/conductive roofing).If yes to any of the above 3 points, consider increasing the size of your antenna to the next size up, i.e. select medium antenna instead of prime antenna.Note: An amplifier is no substitute for the correct antenna. If in doubt, go larger without over estimating your antenna choice. It is possible to have too much signal.

1

OPtiOn 1. Masthead Amplifier

• Recommended for low signal areas• Mount on antenna mast or near by wall

• Requires 240 volt supply

OPtiOn 2. distribution Amplifier• Recommended for multiple TV’s• Requires roof cavity mounting• Requires 240 volt supply

TV 1

MASTHEADAMPLIFIER

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FLY LEAD

ANTENNA

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ROOF CAVITY

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‘F’ CONNECTORTV OUTLET

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INSIDESCAn COde WitH

A SMARt PHOne & dOWnLOAd A PdF

‘HOW tO teRMinAte CAbLe’