How To Receive KWVT Using An Antenna

 

For Television Channels 14 And Higher (UHF)

 

1. Connect a TV antenna designed for UHF channels to the input of your TV or VCR.

2. Select the antenna or broadcast mode on your TV or VCR (instead of cable mode).

Refer to the owners manual for your TV or VCR for information on how to change this.

3. Tune to the desired channel for your area.

For cable subscribers, if you will be switching between the antenna and cable, try tuning your set to channel 68 to receive broadcast channel 17 (channel 65 to receive broadcast channel 14).

(This is necessary because Cable channels are not the same frequencies as Broadcast channels.)

4. Align the antenna for the best signal.

For over the air viewers, if at this point you still do not see our channel, your TV or VCR may be in the Cable mode. Try tuning channel 68 or 65 as described above.

 

 

 

Antennas

 

Note: The FCC preempts most restrictions on placement of Television Antennas:

 

The preemption applies to state or local laws or regulations, including zoning, land-use or building regulations, private covenants, homeowners' association rules, condominium or cooperative association restrictions, lease restrictions, or similar restrictions.

 

The FCC rule prohibits restrictions that:

(1) unreasonably delay or prevent installation, maintenance or use;

(2) unreasonably increase the cost of installation, maintenance or use; or

(3) preclude reception of an acceptable quality signal.

 

Exceptions:

(1) Clearly-defined, legitimate safety restrictions.

(2) Restrictions necessary for historic preservation may be allowed.

(3) Tenants may not be covered by this rule, UNLESS they have an area where they have exclusive use, such as a balcony or patio.

 

View the FCC information page for full details.

 

Warning: Never install an antenna unless you are sure you can do it safely.

Consult with a professional installer and follow the manufacturers’ instructions.

Northwest Television assumes no liability for any accident that might occur.

 

Categories of Antennas

 

Indoor Antennas

  • Best for High signal level areas. These are much more susceptible to interference

than Outdoor Antennas.

 

  • “Rabbit Ears” generally work best for VHF Channels (2-13).
  • “Loop” or “Bowtie” generally work best for UHF Channels (14 and higher).

 

Outdoor (or Attic) Antennas

  • Used for moderate to low signal areas, or to reduce interference.
  • Attic installations rarely perform as well as outdoor installations.

 

 

UHF/VHF

 

 

UHF Only (14 and higher)

 

 

VHF Only (2-13)

  • Many remain installed on older homes, and these seldom provide satisfactory results with UHF channels, even for full power stations in most cases. Replacement is recommended, especially since many network stations now have digital channels in the UHF band.

 

 

Mobile Antennas

  • Used for RV’s, etc. where low profile / aerodynamic considerations are essential.
  • The size of these antennas results in some level of compromise in performance

 

 

Antenna Rotators (Rotors)

  • Allow convenient realignment of your antenna for the best signal where stations are in different directions.

 

Matching Transformers

  • Used to match the 300 ohm impedance of the antenna to the 75 ohm coax.
  • Be sure the transformer is for UHF/VHF (some might indicate 5-900 MHz). Some are for VHF frequencies only.

 

Amplifiers

  • Be sure the amplifier is for UHF/VHF (some might indicate 5-900 MHz). Many are designed for cable TV frequencies and will not work for UHF frequencies.
  • Before installing any amplifier, check the signal level of ALL stations. You can easily overload a preamp with VHF (or a nearby UHF signal) and get nothing on the UHF (I had this problem at my home).

 

Splitters

  • Used to connect more than one TV or VCR to a single antenna.
  • Be sure the splitter is for UHF/VHF (might read as 5-900 MHz). Many are designed for cable and will not work for UHF frequencies.
  • Do not confuse this with a VHF/UHF Diplexer in which VHF signals go one way and UHF signals go the other way.

 

Cable

Not all Cable types are created equal.

 

1. Twin Lead

I just wouldn’t recommend it, ok.

 

2. Coaxial (also called Coax)

This comes in many different types. These are the most popular:

 

  • RG-59 There’s a reason it costs less - higher signal loss. Use only in high signal level areas.
  • RG-6 Definitely better; lower signal loss.
  • RG-6 Quad Shielded is even better. This is what I use in most cases.
  • RG-11 Much better, but has a larger diameter and is more expensive. Not generally used for consumer installations, but you might consider it if your antenna is more than 100 feet away from the set, or if you will be splitting the signal to multiple sets. Inquire at a Ham Radio shop (but be sure they are not selling you 50 ohm cable such as RG-8 - used for transmit installations).

 

Installation Tips

  • Be careful not to pinch or kink the coax. Lay out the cable straight before you begin.
  • Do not pull hard on the cable - it could break the center conductor. (I have done this, and at the time didn’t think I was pulling very hard.)
  • Make outdoor connections water-tight. It takes only a tiny bit of water in the coax to degrade the signal levels (especially at UHF frequencies), and usually once this occurs, you should just dispose of the cable.
  • We use non-conductive silicone grease in the connectors. (caution - not silicone sealant - you might want to take the connection apart later) (1/06 available from www.mcminone.com - item # 20-400; however they have a minimum order of $25.)
  • Wrap the connection tightly with electrical tape in an overlapping spiral a couple inches on each side on the connection. (Keep it tight to avoid any wrinkle that could hold water in.)
  • Support your cable every 4 feet, but again, be careful not to pinch the cable.

 

 

For broadcast channels - 14 and higher (UHF):

If at this point you still do not see our channel, your TV or VCR may be in the Cable mode.

Cable channels are on different frequencies than Broadcast channels.

To confirm whether your set is in Cable mode, try tuning your set to channel 68

to receive broadcast channel 17 (channel 65 to receive broadcast channel 14).

(14 will appear on 65, 15 will appear on 66, 16 will appear on 67, and so forth.)

Refer to the owners manual for your TV or VCR for information on how to change this.

 

 

Additional Antenna Resources:

www.antennaweb.org

Channel Master has an installers guide on their website:

http://www.channelmaster.com/pdf/AntInstallGuide.pdf

 

 

 

 

 

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