Labgear LAB480W User Manual

LAB480W Wideband High Gain Digital Aerial

Congratulations on the purchase of your high gain digital aerial. The aerial is ideal for the reception of
all available signals in weak and fringe areas. Minimal assembly is required, the booms and reflectors
just click into place. The aerial is of a particularly robust construction to ensure a long operating life.

Main Features

Ideal for fringe reception areas

•

Tilting mast clamp for easy adjustment

•

Unique compact folding design

•

Supplied with rubber weather boot and f connector

•

Length: 1.08m

•

Electronic 75Ω balun

•

Connection: F type

•

Preparing the downlead

For optimum results install the aerial using double screened CAI approved
digital coax cable and screened coax outlets (not supplied). You will need to fit the
coax cable with the F type connector (supplied) to connect to the aerial balun.

1. Prepare the Coax Cable: Firstly fit the rubber weather boot provided, to
the aerial end of the cable. Strip the end of the cable as shown in Fig. 1.
Once you have stripped the cable, twist the braid and pull it back on
itself, make sure that no braid is touching the copper core, this will
cause a short on the cable and you will not get a signal.

2. Fit the F connector: Simply twist the ‘F’ connector onto the prepared
cable end and trim central conductor (Fig. 2).

Aerial Location

For best results the aerial should be mounted on an outdoor aerial
mast and pointed in the direction of the nearest transmitter

(see: “Useful Websites for Digital Advice” overleaf) making sure it is
in a position where the transmitter signal will not be obstructed by
nearby trees and buildings. If you are in any doubt about the direction
in which the aerial should be pointing or the orientation of the aerial
(horizontal for main transmitter, vertical for relay transmitter) check
your neighbours’ aerials.

Aerial Preparation

1.

Gently pull open the reflectors as shown in Figs. 3-4. It is best to do this
one at a time. You can tell they are in the fully open position when
you hear each of the locating pins shown in Fig. 5 click into position.

Fig. 1

Fig. 2

screw connector
body onto cable

Fig. 3

8mm

cut or tear
away foil

inner
wire

fold braid back
over sheath

end of insulation
should be flush
with this face

2mm approx.

Upper
Reflector

Lower
Reflector

2. Next rotate the balun/dipole assembly through 90˚until it clips into
the upright position on the central boom as shown below.
(Fig. 6-8)

Fig. 6

Fig. 7

Fig. 8

Balun/Dipole
in Upright
Position

Fig. 4

Fig. 5

Fig. 4

Rotate
Balun/Dipole

Fully Open
Reflectors

Connecting the downlead

The downlead can be connected before or after mounting your aerial
to a mast, according to your preference.

1.

Connect the aerial downlead to the ‘F’ socket on the aerial balun,
offer up the cable, with ‘F’ plug attached, ensuring that its inner
wire enters the socket’s centre contact. Do not leave the
connection finger tight, screw the nut part of the plug onto the
connector body and tighten very gently with a spanner (11mm).
Do not over tighten as this can damage the balun.

Fig. 9

2. Finally, slide the waterproof sleeve (boot) as far as it will go over
the connector body, so that it butts up against the balun/dipole
housing (see Fig. 10-12).

Cable Route

Please Note: Make sure that the coax cable is routed as shown in Fig. 9
(through the lower reflector but not touching it). Use insulating tape,
to secure the coax downlead to the mast.

Insulating Tape

Fig. 10 Fig. 11 Fig. 12

Weather Boot

Mounting the aerial on a mast

5.

Use the tilting mast clamp supplied to mount the aerial securely
to the mast by tightening the wing nuts. (See Fig. 13-14)

6. Adjust the tilt angle and direction to receive the
optimum signal. (See Fig. 15)

Fig. 13 Fig. 14 Fig. 15

Weather Boot

Loosen nut to tilt

Folding the aerial

1. If you need to fold down the reflectors, you must first rotate the
balun/dipole assembly through 90˚into a horizontal position on
the boom, to do so first release the clips on the top of the balun
by pushing them outwards and then rotate as shown in
Fig. 16 & 17.

2. To fold down the reflectors press and hold down the two red
buttons on either side of the aerial shown in Fig. 18.
Then gently fold the reflectors flat.

Troubleshooting

No picture: Check all connections from aerial to the TV.
Poor picture: Check all connections from aerial to TV.
Check aerial is properly aligned to the correct transmitter.
If the aerial has been loft mounted try mounting outside.
Make sure new digital coax cable has been used throughout
the installation.
Check the transmitter signal is not obstructed by nearby trees
or buildings.
If in a very weak signal area or for long cable runs,
installing a masthead amplifier will improve the signal.
If in a strong signal area the signal strength may need to be
reduced by fitting an attenuator.

Caution

When mounting the assembled aerial, always observe
safety precautions and use the correct equipment.
Unless you are competent in the use of ladders and other
access equipment, do not work outdoors at roof height.
If in any doubt, refer to a qualified aerial installer.

Fig. 16 Fig. 17

Fig. 18

Rotate Balun/Dipole
to Flat Position

Press Red Buttons

Useful Websites for Digital Advice:

*To confirm that your home is in a coverage area, to find out
which DTT channels should be available locally and to find out
where your nearest transmitter is visit:
www.dtg.org.uk/industry/coverage.html or www.digitaluk.co.uk
and enter your postcode. On the dtg site to find out the distance
to your nearest transmitter and it’s compass bearing select Trade
view from the top bar.

For further information or any queries please contact

Customer careline: 08457 573479
Local Rate - UK Only

www.labgear.co.uk

© Philex Electronic Ltd. 2010. v1.2