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Indoor or Outdoor Antenna?
HD signals can be picked up by inexpensive indoor HD antennas if you happen to live close enough to the broadcast tower. If you don’t know where the nearest broadcast tower is located, then it might be a good idea to try using an indoor antenna first to see if you can pick up the signals because they cost less than rooftop antennas. If the indoor HD antenna doesn’t work, you can simply return it and put the money toward a rooftop model.
Tools and Materials
- HDTV with a built-in digital tuner
- 72 ohm all-weather coaxial cable
- Grounding wire
- HD antenna with mounting hardware
- Coaxial cable grounding block and grounding strap (if needed)
- Power drill
- Adjustable wrench
- Screwdrivers
- Roofing screws
- Silicone caulk
- Nail gun
- U-clamp nails
If you have an existing antenna on your roof, you can try connecting it to your HDTV to see if you can pick up any channels. Many homeowners are able to receive a high quality picture using their old antenna, so this might be worth a try.
Step 2: Choosing the Right HD Antenna
There are plenty of HD antennas on the market to choose from, so this can be an intimidating process for someone who is not familiar with them. So rather than get all stressed out about it, visit Antennaweb.org and input your address to find out where the nearest broadcast tower is and what types of antennas work best in your area.
Step 3: Preparing for the Installation
On the Antennaweb.org website, you will be given a number of different channels and their compass headings. You will want to position your antenna at a compass heading that will give you the most channels so use a compass to find out which direction your antenna should face.
Step 4: Install the Mounting Bracket to the Roof
Follow the instructions that came with your mounting kit and secure the mounting bracket to the roof. Secure the bracket to the roof using roofing screws and apply silicone caulk around the screws to seal them against water penetration.
Step 5: Assemble the Antenna
Depending on the type of antenna you purchase, you may have to assemble it, or it may come in one solid piece. If you have to assemble it, refer to the manufacturer’s instructions so you know how to put it together properly.
Step 6: Attach the Antenna Pole
Loosen the bolts on the mounting bracket’s sleeve and slide the pole in until it reaches the bottom of the sleeve. Tighten the bolts so the pole is held securely in place.
Step 7: Place the Antenna on the Pole
Loosen the bolts on the sleeve on the antenna and slide the sleeve over the pole until the top of the pole meets the top of the sleeve. Rotate the antenna so it is facing the general direction of the broadcast tower. Leave the bolts loose for the time being as you may have to adjust the antenna’s direction in order to get the best picture.
Step 8: Run a Temporary Cable Line
Connect one end of the coaxial cable to the cable output terminal on the antenna and then run the cable line to your HDTV. This is just a temporary run to test for signal so don’t worry about securing the cable just yet. Connect the other end of the cable line to the coaxial input on the back of the HDTV and turn the TV on.
Tune to your local channels as listed on the Antennaweb.org website to check for the HD signal. In order to get the best picture, you may need to have someone watch the TV while you adjust the antenna on the rooftop.
Step 9: Secure Everything
Once you find the ideal position for the HD antenna, secure the antenna in place on the pole by tightening the sleeve bolts and disconnect the temporary cable from the HDTV. Run the coaxial cable and grounding wire neatly across your roof, securing them along the way using a nail gun and insulated U-clamp nails.
Step 10: Grounding the Installation
Drill a hole through the siding of the house for the cable to enter the interior of the home. Secure the coaxial cable coming from the antenna to one end of the grounding block. Secure another length of coaxial cable to the other end of the grounding block and run the other end of this cable through the hole and into the home.
Connect one end of the coaxial cable’s grounding wire to the antenna’s housing and the other end to the grounding block. Connect another grounding wire to the grounding block and run this wire to either a cold water pipe on the inside of the home or install a grounding rod in your yard and connect it to that. Secure the grounding block to the side of the house and seal up the hole with silicone caulk.
Step 11: Reconnect the Cable to the HDTV
Run the coaxial cable to the HDTV, and connect it to one of the TV's coaxial inputs. Turn the TV back on and double check your HD channels. Now, all you have to do is call the cable or satellite TV company and cancel that costly subscription!