RCA ANT3900 User Manual

Limited One-Year Warranty ANT3900

Amplified
Outdoor Antenna
VHF•UHF•FM

User’s Guide

universal

Designed for use
with single or
dual output LNB
satellite dish
antennas for sharp
local channel
reception

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Table of Contents

Important Safety Precautions . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .3

Lightning Protection . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .3

About Your New ANT3900 Outdoor TV Antenna . . . . . . . . .4

For Best Reception Results . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .4

Before You Begin . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .4

Installing Your New ANT3900 Antenna . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .5

Step A: Installing the ANT3900 on your satellite dish . . . .5

Step B: Installing the inside diplexers . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .8

Installing ANT3900 with a Multi-switch . . . . . .10

Installing ANT3900 with an Antenna Input

Multi-switch . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .10

Installing ANT3900 with a Non-antenna Input

Multi-switch . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .12

Step C: Setting up your TV to use the ANT3900 . . . . . .12

Limited One-Year Warranty . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .14

WARNING! Use extreme caution when installing or

removing an outdoor antenna that is located close to

overhead wires such as power lines, telephone lines or

cable TV lines. If any part of the antenna makes contact

with overhead power lines, touching the antenna or the

antenna cable can cause electrocution and death. If the

antenna is in contact with any type of overhead wires, call

your power company and ask them to send a qualified

technician to remove the antenna. Do not attempt to

remove it yourself!

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Important Safety Precautions

WARNING! Many do-it-yourself and professional antenna
installers are injured or killed each year by electric shock.
While anyone can see the obvious danger of falling, the most
resourceful sometimes fail to recognize overhead wires as
being potentially lethal. To touch any part of the antenna to
these overhead wires is the same as touching the wires with
your bare hand. A very serious shock is almost sure to result
when contacting an electrical wire, and, in the case of
primary wires on the tip of poles, the shock is similar to
being struck by a bolt of lightning. Many power wires are
within 20 to 25 feet of the ground and can easily be touched
by an assembled antenna.

Please read and follow these important
safety precautions.

• Get help from a qualified professional when removing the
old antenna if there is any doubt of clearing overhead wires.

• Never install the antenna outdoors at night or in inclement
weather conditions.

• Make sure the antenna downlead cable is connected
to suitable lightning arrestors.

• Make sure the antenna installation is secure.

Lightning Protection

Always plug your TV and other electronic devices into a
quality surge protector for maximum protection against
lightning and power surges.

• Do not try to guess which overhead wires carry
high voltage. Check with the power company.

• If you notice anything making contact with the overhead
wires, call the power company to have it removed safely.

• Do not run the downlead cable over power lines.

All outdoor antenna installations should be properly
grounded. To effectively protect the installations, the coaxial
cable(s) should be grounded before they enter the house.
The grounding of the coaxial cable is made using a “ground
block” and copper wire (not supplied). For information and
the materials needed to ground your antenna installation,
visit your local electronics store.

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The ANT3900 is the perfect complement to a mini­satellite dish system. It picks up VHF and UHF signals,
so you can enjoy local programming at no extra cost,
along with your satellite programming.

The ANT3900 features an internal amplifier that minimizes
signal loss. The DBS receiver powers the amplifier, so no
additional power supply is required. Because the ANT3900’s
antenna elements are manufactured to be weather-resistant,
they’ll perform at their best for many years to come.

For Best Reception Results

For the best reception results, the satellite dish and antenna
combination should be high off the ground with minimal
signal obstructions. On the side of your house (close to
the roof) or on the roof itself generally offers the best
environment for reception.

Remember, you can always rotate the antenna on the dish
to adjust your reception.

Note: To change from satellite to local programming, it is

necessary to push the appropriate button on the remote control.

About Your New ANT3900
Outdoor TV Antenna

Before You Begin

Please take a moment to familiarize yourself with the various
elements in the ANT3900 package. Please make sure that
your package includes all of the necessary pieces (see Fig 1).

For proper installation with a multi-switch, you may need
additional cables. If your multi-switch has an antenna input,
you will also need additional diplexers and short connector
cables (1ft. each). (sold separately).

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The ANT3900 installation consists of three basic steps:

Step A: Installing the ANT3900 on your satellite dish.

Step B: Installing the inside diplexers.

Step C: Setting up your TV to use the ANT3900.

Please be sure to complete all of these steps before attempting
to watch local channels with your ANT3900. If your dish
uses a multi-switch, please skip to the multi-switch section
on page 10.

Installing Your New
ANT3900 Antenna

TV SAT

TV/SAT

INSIDE DIPLEXER

TV SAT

TV/SAT

INSIDE DIPLEXER

Step A: Installing the ANT3900
on your satellite dish

1. Make sure all satellite receivers are turned off and

unplugged from the electrical outlet.

2. Unsnap the antenna from the back notch of the mounting

clamp (see Fig 3).

3. Hold the antenna to the back of the dish so that the circular

housing is centered with the RCA logo facing out (see Fig 2).

4. Maneuver the clamps over or around the edge of the dish

one at a time (see Fig 4).

5. Tighten the mounting clamp by turning the thumb-wheel

screw clockwise and re-snap antenna on to back notch.

Note: We recommend the use of the enclosed security clips.

Snap the security clips onto the ANT3900 and slide down
towards the mounting clips.

Fig 1

Fig 2

Security Clip

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6. Remove the LNB from the arm of the satellite dish

to expose the satellite cables. (see Fig 5).

7. Disconnect the satellite cable(s) from the satellite dish’s

LNB and pull them out through the bottom of the satellite
dish arm (see Fig 5).

8. Connect the satellite cables to the terminals marked

OUT 1 and OUT 2 on the ANT3900 antenna (see Fig 6).

9. Slide the black 32”antenna cables up through the

satellite arm and connect to the LNB (see Fig 7).

10. Reconnect the LNB to the dish arm (see Fig 8).

11. Connect the remaining end of the black 32” antenna

cables to the IN 1 and IN 2 terminal on the ANT3900
antenna (see Fig 9).

12. Continue to “Step B: Installing the Inside Diplexers”

(page 8).

Fig 3

Fig 4

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Fig 5

Fig 9

Fig 6

Fig 7

Fig 8

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Step B: Installing the inside diplexers

1. Disconnect the satellite cable from the

“SAT IN” terminal on your satellite receiver.

2. Connect the satellite cable to the terminal marked

“TV/SAT” on the inside diplexer (see Fig 10).

3. Connect one of the supplied white 12” connector cables

from the terminal labeled “SAT” on the inside diplexer to
your satellite receiver’s “SAT IN” terminal (see Fig 11).

4. Connect the other white 12” connector cable from the

terminal labeled “TV” on the inside diplexer to your
satellite receiver’s “ANT IN” terminal (see Fig 12).

5. Connect a coaxial cable (not supplied) from the satellite

receiver’s “TV OUT” terminal to your television or VCR
(see Fig 13).

6. Continue to “Step C: Setting Up Your TV to Use

the ANT3900” (page 12).

Fig 10

Fig 11

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Fig 12

Fig 13

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Installing ANT3900 with a Multi-switch

These instructions are intended for satellite systems that
contain a multi-switch only. There are two types of multi­switches. The first has an antenna input for TV antennas.
The second does not and tends to be larger. Before continuing,
please determine what type of multi-switch you have.

Note: For multi-switch installations, you may require

additional indoor diplexers (RCA model D926) and
RG-6 coaxial cable.

Installing ANT3900 with an Antenna Input
Multi-switch

1. Follow “Step A: Installing the ANT3900

on Your Satellite Dish” on pages 5-7.

2. Locate your multi-switch and disconnect the satellite

wire from the 18-volt (or Satellite “B”) terminal.

3. Connect the satellite wire to the TV/SAT terminal

of the indoor diplexer (see Fig 14, page 11).

4. Use one of the supplied white 12” antenna cables to

connect the TV terminal of the indoor diplexer to the
ANTENNA INPUT on the multi-switch (see Fig 15, page 11).

5. Use the other supplied white 12” antenna cable to

connect the SAT terminal of the indoor diplexer to the
18-volt (or Satellite “B”) terminal of the multi-switch (see
Fig 16, page 11).

6. Continue to “Step B: Installing the Inside Diplexers” and

follow the remainder of the standard installation procedure.

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Fig 14

Fig 15

Fig 16

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Installing ANT3900 with a
Non-antenna Input Multi-switch

Note: Some satellite dishes have integrated multi-switches.

The “TO RECEIVER” terminals are connected to the cables
coming from the bottom of the dish. Treat these cables as
the “TO RECEIVER” terminals
of the multi-switch.

Note: For DISH NETWORK owners: Some Dish Network

installations use two smaller SW21 multi-switches. Treat
these as one multi-switch with two “OUTPUT” or “TO
RECEIVER” terminals.

1. Turn off and unplug all satellite receivers.

2. The ANT3900 will only work with a maximum of two
satellite receivers in this application. Before proceeding
with the installation, determine which two receivers
you would like to attach to the ANT3900. If you need
to connect to more than two satellite receivers, RCA
ANT3901 might be an alternative solution.

3. Unsnap the antenna from the back notch of the mounting
clamp (see Fig 3 on page 6).

4. Hold the antenna to the back of the dish so that the
circular housing is centered with the RCA logo facing
out (see Fig 2 on page 5).

5. Maneuver the clamps over or around the edge
of the dish one at a time (see Fig 4 on page 6).

6. Tighten the mounting clamp by turning the thumb-wheel
screw clockwise and re-snap antenna on to back notch.

7. Disconnect the two (2) satellite cables from the OUTPUT
(or TO RECEIVER) terminals on your multi-switch. Make
sure that these cables are connected to the receivers that
you selected in Step 2 above.

8. Connect the two (2) satellite cables to the OUT1 and OUT2
terminals on the ANT3900 antenna (see Fig 17 on page 13).

9. Using the supplied black 32” antenna cables, connect the
IN1 and IN2 terminals of the ANT3900 to the OUTPUT
(or TO RECEIVER) terminals on your multi-switch (see
Fig 18 on page 13).

10.Continue to “Step B: Installing the Inside Diplexers”
(page 8) and follow the remainder of the standard
installation procedure.

Step C: Setting up your TV to
use the ANT3900

1. Access the menu of your TV and make sure the TV is in

ANT/AIR mode and not CABLE/CATV mode. Please refer
to your TV manual for the exact steps to change this option.

2. Access the menu of your TV and run the “Auto Program”

option. Please refer to your TV manual for the exact steps
to change this option.

3. Set your TV to your favorite channel.

4. To fine tune local channel reception, rotate the ANT3900

antenna around the perimeter of the dish until you receive
the best possible picture. Tighten the clips so that the
antenna is firmly secured to the satellite dish in that position.

5. The ANT3900 is now ready to receive local programming.

Note: Satellite receiver should be off to view local channels.

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Fig 17

Fig 18

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THOMSON INC. warrants that, for one year from date of
purchase, it will replace this product if found to be defective
in materials or workmanship. Return it postage prepaid to
the Product Exchange Center, 11721 Alameda Ave., Socorro,
TX 79927, for prompt, no-charge replacement with a current
equivalent. This replacement is THOMSON INC.’s sole
obligation under this warranty. THOMSON INC. will not be
responsible for any incidental or consequential damages or
for any loss arising in connection with the use or in ability to
use this product. Some states do not allow the exclusion or
limitation of incidental or consequential damages, so the above
limitation or exclusion may not apply to you. This warranty
excludes defects or damage due to misuse, abuse or neglect.
This warranty gives you specific legal rights, and you may
also have other rights, which vary from state to state.

Limited One-Year Warranty

©2003 THOMSON INC.

10330 North Meridian Street

Indianapolis IN 46290

Made in China.

ANT3900 US IB REVA

Trademark(s) ®Registered.

Marca(s) Registrada(s).

www.rca.com

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