Radio Shack 15-2156 User Manual

15-2156

Outdoor

HDTV Antenna

Assemble the entire antenna on the ground.

1. Use the supplied hardware to assemble the two main boom sections, as shown. If necessary, lift one end of the main boom so the crossover wires reach the threaded posts.

Note: To access slots or holes during assembly, move the antenna’s elements out of the way as needed.

2. Use the supplied hardware to loosely attach one of the supplied mast clamp assemblies to the main boom, as shown.

3. Attach the other mast clamp assembly to the cradle boom. (Be sure it faces the same direction as the main boom’s mast clamp assembly, shown in step 2 above.) Fold out the two sets of metal support straps on the cradle boom and attach them to the corresponding holes on the main boom using the two supplied 1½-inch screws and large wing nuts.

4. Press the supplied large end plugs into the main boom and the cradle boom.

5. Pull the UHF bowtie’s two halves away from the main boom until they lock into place. Then slide each half’s unattached end over one of the antenna’s lead-in terminals (one for each half of the UHF bowtie on each side of the boom).

Note: Both sections of the UHF/VHF isolation network should remain parallel to the main boom.

We recommend RG-6 cable and, if you prepare your own cable, a quality F-connector. (RadioShack carries a variety of suitable cables and connectors.)

Note: If you prepare your own coaxial cable, be sure to slide the supplied matching transformer’s weather boot onto the cable before you attach the F-connector.

1. Thread the supplied matching transformer’s spade terminals through the antenna’s strain-relief tab.

2. Slide the spade terminals around the antenna’s lead-in terminals (on both sides of the boom), then secure them with the supplied ﬂat washers and large wing nuts.

3. Screw the cable’s F-connector onto the matching transformer.

4. Slip the weather boot over the connection. If you use a rebuilt cable without a weather boot, cover the connection with weather-resistant tape.

Thank you for purchasing your Outdoor HDTV Antenna from RadioShack. Please read this user’s guide before installing, setting up, and using your new product.

What’s Included

Antenna Main Booms (2)

Cradle Boom (1) Wing Booms (2) Wing Boom Brackets (2) Mast Clamps (2)

Mast Clamp Backup Plates (2) Large End Plugs (4) Small End Plugs (2) Large Wing Nuts (8) Small Wing Nuts (5) 1½-inch Screws (5) 11/4-inch Screws (4) Lock Nuts (4) Flat Washers (4) Matching Transformer U-Bolts (2) User’s Guide Warning Label

Consumer Product Safety Commission information sheet

Note: Additional small parts may be included in your package.

Speciﬁcations

Impedance .................................................................300 ohms

Frequency Range......................VHF 54-108 and 174-216 MHz

................................................................................UHF 470-806

Average Gain .................................................4.1dB (low band)

........................................................................7.3dB (high band)dB (high band)(high band)

........................................................................8.0dB (UHF band)dB (UHF band)(UHF band)

Average Beamwidth.......................................... 74° (low band)° (low band) (low band)

............................................................................48° (high band)° (high band) (high band)

............................................................................39° (UHF band)

Average front to back ratios:...................... 16.6dB (low band)

......................................................................14.5dB (high band)

......................................................................13.5db (UHF band)

Speciﬁcations are subject to change and improvement without notice. Actual product may vary from the images found in this document.

Limited Warranty

This product is warranted by RadioShack against manufacturing defects in material and workmanship under normal use for ninety (90) days from the date of purchase from RadioShack company-owned stores and authorized RadioShack franchisees and dealers. EXCEPT AS PROVIDED HEREIN, RadioShack MAKES NO EXPRESS WARRANTIES AND ANY IMPLIED WARRANTIES, INCLUDING THOSE OF MERCHANTABILITY AND FITNESS FOR A PARTICULAR PURPOSE, ARE LIMITED IN DURATION TO THE DURATION OF THE WRITTEN LIMITED WARRANTIES CONTAINED HEREIN. EXCEPT AS PROVIDED HEREIN, RadioShack SHALL HAVE NO LIABILITY OR RESPONSIBILITY TO CUSTOMER OR ANY OTHER PERSON OR ENTITY WITH RESPECT TO ANY LIABILITY, LOSS OR DAMAGE CAUSED DIRECTLY OR INDIRECTLY BY USE OR PERFORMANCE OF THE PRODUCT OR ARISING OUT OF ANY BREACH OF THIS WARRANTY, INCLUDING, BUT NOT LIMITED TO, ANY DAMAGES RESULTING FROM INCONVENIENCE, LOSS OF TIME, DATA, PROPERTY, REVENUE, OR PROFIT OR ANY INDIRECT, SPECIAL, INCIDENTAL, OR CONSEQUENTIAL DAMAGES, EVEN IF RadioShack HAS BEEN ADVISED OF THE POSSIBILITY OF SUCH DAMAGES. Some states do not allow limitations on how long an implied warranty lasts or the exclusion or limitation of incidental or consequential damages, so the above limitations or exclusions may not apply to you. In the event of a product defect during the warranty period, take the product and the RadioShack sales receipt as proof of purchase date to any RadioShack store. RadioShack will, at its option, unless otherwise provided by law: (a) correct the defect by product repair without charge for parts and labor; (b) replace the product with one of the same or similar design; or (c) refund the purchase price. All replaced parts and products, and products on which a refund is made, become the property of RadioShack. New or reconditioned parts and products may be used in the performance of warranty service. Repaired or replaced parts and products are warranted for the remainder of the original warranty period. You will be charged for repair or replacement of the product made after the expiration of the warranty period. This warranty does not cover: (a) damage or failure caused by or attributable to acts of God, abuse, accident, misuse, improper or abnormal usage, failure to follow instructions, improper installation or maintenance, alteration, lightning or other incidence of excess voltage or current; (b) any repairs other than those provided by a RadioShack Authorized Service Facility; (c) consumables such as fuses or batteries; (d) cosmetic damage; (e) transportation, shipping or insurance costs; or (f) costs of product removal, installation, set-up service adjustment or reinstallation. This warranty gives you speciﬁc legal rights, and you may also have other rights which vary from state to state. RadioShack Customer Relations 300 RadioShack Circle, Fort Worth, TX 76102 12/99

www.radioshack.com

Before You Begin

Before you begin installation, read this manual and the separate Consumer Product Safety Commission information sheet. For your safety and convenience, plan each step of the installation and purchase the necessary hardware in advance. The hardware required and the order in which you perform the steps depend on the mounting and connection method you choose.

Warning:

When you install your antenna, use extreme caution. If the antenna starts to fall, let it go! It could contact overhead power lines. If the antenna touches the power line, any contact with

the antenna, mast, cable, or guy wires can cause electrocution and death. Call the power company to remove the antenna. Do not attempt to remove it yourself.

1½-Inch Screws

Large Wing Nuts

Crossover Wires

Threaded posts

Splint

Flat Washers

Large Wing Nuts

U-Bolt

Main Boom

Backup Plate

Lock Nuts

Mast Clamp

Step 1: Assemble the Antenna

Metal Support Straps

Main Boom

Cradle Boom

Mast Clamp Assemblies

Metal Support Straps

UHF Bowtie

Lead-In Terminal

UHF/VHF Isolation

Network

Step 2: Connect Coaxial Cable to the Antenna

Lead-In Terminal

Spade Terminal

Strain Relief Tab

Matching Transformer

F-Connector

Main Boom

Spade Terminal

Large Wing Nuts

Flat Washers

Weather Boot

Lead-In Terminal

10A08

15-2156

Printed in the USA

Step 6: Connect to your Audio/Video System

Connect the antenna’s coaxial cable to your audio/video system’s antenna terminals according to the type of connections you have. RadioShack carries a variety of splitters and other accessories; choose one that best suits your needs. Below are some sample connections.

If you have:

• Twin-lead UHF terminals

• Coaxial VHF terminal

• Twin-lead FM antenna terminals

Use a RadioShack Splitter with 75-Ohm Input

To FM Receiver

From Antenna

UHF 300 Ohm VHF 75 Ohm

If you have:

• Twin-lead UHF terminals

• Twin-lead VHF terminals

• Twin-lead FM antenna terminals

Use a RadioShack Transformer/Splitter

To FM Receiver

From Antenna

UHF 300 Ohm VHF 300 Ohm

If you have:

• Combined coaxial VHF/UHF terminal

• Coaxial FM antenna terminal

Use a RadioShack VHF/UHF Splitter/Combiner

From Antenna

TV VHF/UHF To FM Receiver

If you want to:

• Use the antenna in combination with a cable or satellite set-top-box, and

• Your TV has a coaxial (antenna in) terminal.

Use a RadioShack High Isolation A/B Switch.

A IN TV OUT B IN

From AntennaFrom set-top-box

To T V

If you want to:

• Use the antenna in combination with a cable or satellite set-top-box, and

• Your TV has both a coaxial (antenna in) terminal and A/V terminals (usually red/yellow/white).

Use a RadioShack Gold A/V cable.

CABLE/ANT. IN

AUDIO INVIDEO IN

RIGHTLEFT

ANTENNA IN TV OUT

VIDEO LR

CH3 CH4

Set-top-box

From Antenna

A/V Cable

RadioShack also carries these and many other antenna mounting accessories:

Grounding Block

Tripod Mount

Antenna Mast

Antenna Rotator

Outdoor Coaxial Cable

Step 3: Unfold the Antenna’s Elements

1. Hold the main boom’s elements near the pivot points

and pull them away from the boom until they snap into the self locking plastic support insulators.

Caution: To avoid damage to the elements, do not pull them near their outer ends. Once the elements are locked into position, do not attempt to unlock them. Doing so might break the self-locking tabs.

2. Hold each wing boom and turn its elements until they snap squarely into place perpendicular to the boom.

3. Press the supplied small end plugs into the wing booms.

4. Bolt the triangular wing boom brackets onto the main

boom using the supplied 1½-inch screw and small wing nut, as shown.

5. Insert the top and bottom wing booms into the wing boom brackets. Secure them with the four supplied 1¼inch screws and small wing nuts, as shown.

Step 4: Attach Antenna to the Mast

We recommend that you enlist the help of another person before you put up the mast or attach your antenna to it. How you set up your mast depends on your speciﬁc installation. Refer to the separate Consumer Product Safety Commission information sheet for recommended methods.

1. Slide the antenna’s mast clamp assemblies over the end of the mast.

2. Tighten the mast clamp assemblies’ lock nuts to hold the antenna in place. Do not overtighten the lock nuts.

Caution:

The crossover wires must not touch the antenna boom, the mast, or each other. If necessary, carefully bend the crossover wires to provide at least ½-inch of clearance between parts.

3. Set up the mast, then rotate it so the antenna’s shorter elements point toward the broadcast antennas of the stations you want to receive.

Step 5: Route Cable to Your Audio/Video System

• Use plastic tape or mast standoff insulators to secure the coaxial cable to the mast at about 3-foot intervals. Continue down the roof and the side of the house using roof and wall standoff insulators.

• Use coaxial cable nail-in clips every few feet to secure the cable between the mast and where the cable enters the house.

• Use a 75-ohm grounding block at the point where the coaxial cable enters the house. Read the Consumer Product Safety Commission information sheet for grounding instructions.

• Use a wall-through lead-in tube (not supplied) to neatly route the coaxial cable through walls.

• Loosely bend the cable to form a drip loop before the cable enters the house.

1½-Inch Screws

Main Boom

Small Wing Nut

Wing Boom Brackets

Top Wing Boom

Small Wing Nuts

Bottom Wing Boom

1¼-Inch Screws

Crossover Wires

Mast

Wing Boom Elements

Main Boom Short Elements

Main Boom Long Elements

Toward TV Station Antennas

Radio Shack 15-2156 User Manual

Specifications and Main Features

Frequently Asked Questions

User Manual