Winegard FVHD45C, FV-HD45 User Manual

Instruction
Manual

For Models FV-HD45/FVHD45C
FreeVision

Made in U.S.A. (Designed for use with 54–698 MHz DTV frequencies.)

Point Toward Stations

® Antenna

Mast not included
with antenna.

WARNING

Installation of this antenna near power lines is dangerous.

For your safety, follow the installation instructions.

2452230

Parts List

Back Assembly (VHF)

Front Assembly (UHF)

Washer (6)

Corner Reflector (2)

50’ RG-6

Coax Cable*

Mast Clamp Insert

Matching

Transformer

Small Flange Nut (6)

Large Screw (2)

U-Bolt

Large Flange Nut

for U-Bolt (2)

Low Band VHF Add-On Kit For RF Channels 2–6
and/or FM (Not Needed for Most Installations, See Page 3.)

Large

Screw

Element
Sleeves (8)

Clip

Element Extensions (8)

Element Extension with Both Ends Crimped

Small Flange Nut (17)

Small Screw (16)

2

*Included in FVHD45C models only.

Things to Consider Before Installing the Antenna

Location Selection

The digital broadcast signal travels line of sight. The fewer objects
between your antenna and the broadcast tower, the stronger your
signal will be. Installing your antenna in the attic may reduce the signal
by as much as 50% so it is always recommended to install the antenna
outdoors for maximum performance.

Before deciding on a location for the FreeVision antenna, determine
which channels you want to receive and where they are coming from.
This will help you determine the best location and direction to aim the
FreeVision antenna.

For this information, go online to www.antennaweb.org or www.tvfool.
com. Each of these sites has a feature that allows you to enter your
address and get a listing of likely channels available in your area,
including a listing of the compass heading for each station’s tower.

Do I Need to Install the Low Band VHF Kit?

On www.antennaweb.org, if you have an RF channel (right column) 2–6,
you will need the Low Band VHF Kit. On www.tvfool.com, if you have a
real channel 2–6, you will need the Low Band VHF Kit. If you don’t have
any low band VHF channels in your area but want FM reception, then
you need to install the Low Band VHF Kit. Most areas will not need the
kit. For additional help, contact Winegard support at 800-788-4417.

For most channels, stations will only come from one or two directions.
If the compass headings are similar (less than 30° apart), the antenna
can be aimed between the areas and receive signals from each location.

The antenna has an approximate range of 30–45 miles when installed
outside. Any station outside this range is less likely to be picked up by
the antenna. This range is reduced by any obstructions (such as trees,
buildings, or hills) between the antenna and the broadcast tower.

Distance, obstructions and compass heading all play a role in deciding
on a location to permanently mount the antenna. For this reason, it
may be necessary to try the antenna in several locations while checking
the signal on multiple channels. Moving the antenna three feet in one
direction is often enough to change the reception. Re-scan your tv or
converter box each time you move the antenna.

3

Assembling the Antenna

Start by unfolding the VHF elements on the back assembly until the
elements are perpendicular to the boom (Figure 1). You should hear
the elements click into place.

Figure 1

Before

VHF Elements

After

Boom

Boom

Unfold the six UHF elements on the front assembly until they are
perpendicular to the boom. See Figure 2. You should hear the pieces
click into place. Pull the two phasing lines away from the boom.

Figure 2

Before After

Boom Boom

Fold out Elements

Unfolded
Elements

Phasing

Lines

On the back assembly, remove the nut and screw from the plastic block
nearest to the open end of the boom and to the mast clamp (Figure 3).

Figure 3

Screw

Removal

Open End

of Boom

Site

4

Slide the crimped end of the front assembly boom into the open end
of the back assembly boom (Figure 4). Re-insert the screw into the
plastic block closest to the mast clamp, and secure with the flange nut.

Figure 4

Front Assembly Back Assembly

Crimped End

Screw

Insertion

Site

Mast

Clamp

Then, slip the phasing lines onto the threaded rivets near the reflector
brackets. Add a washer onto each rivet. Thread a small nut onto each
rivet. See Figure 5.

Figure 5

Top View Side View

Reflector Bracket

Rivet

Phasing

Lines

Phasing

Lines

Unfold the elements on the two corner reflectors as in Figure 6. You
should hear the pieces click into place.

Figure 6

AfterBefore

Corner Reflector

5

Insert the open end of one corner reflector in-between the top of the
reflector brackets (Figure 7). (Elements should be on top.) Align the
holes in the brackets with the hole in the corner reflector. Insert a
large screw through the holes. Thread a small flange nut on the screw.

Figure 7

Reflector Brackets

Next, insert the open end of the second corner reflector in-between
the bottom of the reflector brackets (Figure 8). (Elements should be
on bottom.) Align the holes in the brackets with the hole in the corner
reflector. Insert a large screw through the holes. Thread a small flange
nut on the screw.

Figure 8

Tighten the two flange nuts. See Figure 9.

Figure 9

Screws

If you determined that you need the Low Band VHF Add-On Kit,
proceed with the steps on the next page. If you determined that you
do not need the Low Band VHF Add-On Kit (page 7), continue with
attaching the coax cable on page 9.

6

Adding the Low Band VHF Add-On Kit

For RF Channels 2–6 and/or FM

If unsure whether or not to install the Low Band VHF Add-On Kit, see
the section “Do I Need to Install the Low Band VHF Kit?” on page 3.

Locate the hole in the bottom of the boom near the mast clamp.

Figure 10

Mast Clamp

Hole

Insert the large screw through the hole in the bottom of the boom
(Figure 11). Place the element extension with crimped ends onto the
screw. Then, install the clip onto the element extension with crimped
ends so that the holes in both parts align. Thread a small flange nut on
the screw, and tighten.

Figure 11

Mast Clamp

Element Extension

with Crimped Ends

Large Screw

7

Place each element extension beside the element to which it will
connect. The shortest element extension will connect to the shortest
element on the back assembly, and the longest element extension
will connect to the longest element. The element extensions should
decrease in length as they near the center of the antenna (Figure 12).
One element sleeve will be used to connect each element extension to
its corresponding element.

Figure 12

Shortest Element

Extension

Longest Element

Extension

Slide the element sleeve over the element. Align the holes in the
element sleeve and element. Then, slide the element extension into
the element sleeve. Align the holes in the element sleeve and element
extension. Insert a small screw through the top of each hole, and
thread a small flange nut onto each screw. Repeat for connecting each
element extension to an element. See Figure 13.

Figure 13

Before

Holes to Align

Holes to Align

After

8

Top

Bottom