Antennacraft C490 - Manual (Page 2)

WARNING: INSTALLATION OF
THIS PRODUCT NEAR
POWERLINES IS DANGEROUS.
FOR YOUR SAFETY, FOLLOW THE
INSTALLATION DIRECTIONS.
DANGER
WATCH FOR POWER LINES!
You can be KILLED if this antenna
comes near electric power lines.
READ INSTRUCTIONS.
IF AN ACCIDENT SHOULD
OCCUR WITH POWER LINES
1. Call for emergency help.
2. Don’t touch a person who has
come in contact with the antenna
and the powerline (you’ll be elec-
trocuted, too).
3.
If the victim is free and clear from
any electric powerlines and is un-
responsive, administer CPR until
emergency help arrives.
FOLLOW THESE RULES AND LIVE
1. If you’re not sure about a careful, safe installation—don’t try
to do it yourself. Call your local power company or check
with Yellow Pages under “Antennas or Television and
Radio Antenna Systems” for an installer in your area.
2. With at least two people, assemble as much of the antenna
on the ground as possible.
3. Watch out for overhead power lines. Check the distance to
the power lines before you start installing—WE RECOM-
MEND YOU STAY A MINIMUM OF TWICE THE MAXIMUM
LENGTH OF THE ANTENNA AND ITS MAST AWAY
FROM ALL POWER LINES.
4. Do not use a metal ladder.
5. Remember, even the slightest touch of an antenna to a
power line can cause a fatal shock.
6. Don’t try to do the job on a windy day.
7. Have a friend watch as a spotter on the ground when you’re
on the roof to see things you can’t.
8. If you start to drop the antenna, get away from it and let it
fall.
9. If any part of the antenna comes in contact with a power
line CALL YOUR LOCAL POWER COMPANY; DON’T TRY
TO REMOVE IT YOURSELF! They will remove it safely.
10. Keep mast, lead-in and metal guy wires away from power
lines, too. They are all excellent conductors of electrical
current.
11. Be sure everyone understands the danger of touching an
overhead power line. Tell them never to try to remove any
object touching a power line.
12. Make sure the antenna and mast are properly grounded.
SELECT AND MEASURE YOUR INSTALLATION SITE
Before attempting to install your antenna, think of where you
can best place your antenna for safety and performance. Most
antennas are supported by pipe masts attached to the chimney,
roof, or side of the house. Generally, the higher the antenna
is above the ground, the better it performs. A good practice is
to install your antenna about 5 to 10 feet above the roof line
and away from power lines and obstructions.
Remember that the FCC limits your antenna height to 60 feet. If
possible, find a mounting place directly above your set, where
the antenna lead-in wire can take a short, vertical drop on the
outside of the house for entry through a wall or window near
the set. To determine a safe distance from wires, power lines,
and trees:
1. Measure the length of your antenna.
2. Add the antenna length to the height of your tower or
mast.
3. Double this total for the minimum recommended safe
distance.
If you cannot maintain this safe distance, STOP!
GET PROFESSIONAL HELP.
CHOOSING A STRUCTURE MOUNT
Follow the installation directions for the individual type of
mount you choose.
GENERAL INSTALLATION DIRECTIONS FOR MAST
MOUNTED ANTENNAS
1. Assemble your new antenna on the ground at the
installation site. Follow the separate assembly instruc-
tions that come with it.
2. Install the selected mount for your antenna.
3. Attach the mast and antenna to the mount.
Note: If you are going to use guy wires:
• Install guy wire anchor bolts
• Estimate length of guy wires and cut them
• Attach to mast using guy wire ring
• Have a second person hold the mast upright while
the guy wires are attached and tightened to the
anchor bolts
4. IF YOUR MAST DOES NOT HAVE A DANGER LABEL,
INSTALL THE SELF-ADHERING DANGER LABEL
PACKAGED IN ANTENNA HARDWARE KIT AT EYE
LEVEL ON YOUR MAST.
ANTENNA GROUNDING
To protect your house and your TV/FM installation, your
antenna system must be properly grounded.
1. Clamp a #10 copper wire to the base of the antenna
mast. Using standoffs every 4 to 6 feet, run the wire
down the building in as straight a line as possible.
2. Attach a 75 ohm grounding block (available at your lo-
cal electronics store) to the antenna’s lead-in cable as
close as possible to the point where the cable enters
the house.
3. Attach the grounding wire to the cable’s grounding block
and run the wire to the central building ground.
Acceptable central building ground points may include:
• Grounded interior metal cold water pipe within five feet
of the point where it enters the building.
• Grounded metallic service raceway
• Grounded electrical service equipment enclosure
• 8-foot grounding rod driven into the ground (only if
bonded to the central building ground by #6 or heavier
bonding wire)
• Other acceptable grounding electrodes that comply with
sections 250 and 810 of the National Electrical Code
(NEC).
ANTENNA REMOVAL
To remove the antenna, follow the instructions for installing
the antenna, but start with the last step first. That’s the only
safe way to remove an antenna.
BASE AND ROOF
MOUNT: Mast locks
into U-bolt. Swivel
base fits the slope of
most rods.
UNIVERSAL MAST ANCHOR
MOUNT: Has U-bolt for easy
swivel. Adapts to most roof
slopes.
VENT PIPE MOUNT:
For smaller antennas.
Attaches to vent pipe.
CORNER MOUNTS:
Two Y-mounts with
straps for chimney
corner mounting.
CHIMNEY
RATCHET
MOUNT: Provides
secure mounting
to chimney with
straps.
TOWER: Not
recommended,
for professional
use only.
TELESCOPIC MAST: Has
interlocking sections, for
professional use only.
TRIPOD MOUNT: Sturdy an-
tenna mount for larger anten-
nas subject to stronger winds.
Fits most roof slopes.
WALL MOUNTS:
Used on side of
structure.
EAVE MOUNT: For at-
taching antenna mast
to hanging rafters or
trim boards.
to Central
Building
Ground
Ground Wire
75 ohm Grounding Block
Mast
Lead-In
Cable
The safest distance from powerlineshould be twice the height
of the mast plus twice the length of the antenna..
SAFEST
LOCATION
Consumer Product Safety Commission Information