V-185R VHF/FM Antenna  (150-2158)    Installation      Faxback Doc. # 7617

The V-185R VHF/FM Antenna is specially designed to provide improved
performance compared to similar-sized antennas.

ASSEMBLING THE ANTENNA

We recommend two people assemble the entire antenna on the ground, then
mount the assembled antenna on the mast.  Follow these steps to assemble
the antenna.

1.  Fold out the main boom's elements by holding them near the boom and
    pulling them until they snap into place.

    Caution:  Do not pull out the elements by their ends.  If you do, you
              could damage an element.

2.  Use the supplied hardware as shown to assemble the two main boom
    sections.  If necessary, lift one end of the main boom so the
    crossover wires reach the threaded posts.

3.  Use the supplied hardware as shown to loosely attach one of the
    supplied mast clamp assemblies to the main boom.

4.  Use the supplied hardware as shown to attach the other mast clamp
    assembly to the cradle boom.  Then snap the plastic H-blocks onto the
    cradle boom.

5.  Snap the main boom onto the cradle boom's H-blocks, with the mast
    clamp assemblies aligned and the blue plastic pieces on the main boom
    facing up.

CONNECTING LEAD-IN CABLE TO THE ANTENNA

Follow these steps to connect lead-in cable to the antenna.  We recommend
RG-6 cable and, if you prepare your own cable, a quality CF-56-F-connector
(both available at your local Radio Shack store).  You can also use 300-
ohm flat, twin-lead cable.

Note:  If you prepare your own coaxial cable, slide a matching
       transformer's weather boot over the end of the cable before you
       attach the F-connector.

Follow these steps if you use coaxial cable.

1.  Thread the ends of a matching transformer through the strain relief
    tab.  Then use the supplied washers and wing nuts to secure the
    transformer's leads to the antenna's lead-in terminals.

2.  Screw the cable's F-connector onto a matching transformer.  If you use
    a prebuilt cable without a weather boot, cover the connection with
    weatherproof tape.  Otherwise, slip the boot over the connection.

Notes:  Use plastic tape to secure the cable to the mast at about 3 foot
        intervals.

        Use coaxial nail clips every few feet to secure the cable to
        walls.

        Use a 75-ohm grounding block to ground the cable where the cable
        enters the house.

        Use a wall-through tube to neatly route the cable through walls.

Follow these steps if you use twin-lead cable.

1.  Split the cable for a length of about 3 inches.  Then remove about 1/2
    inch of insulation from the ends of the twin-lead cable.

2.  Thread the ends of the twin-lead cable through the antenna's strain-
    relief tab.  Then use the supplied washers and wing nuts to secure the
    twin-leads to the antenna's lead-in terminals.

Notes:  Allow enough slack between the strain-relief tab and the antenna
        terminals to prevent stress on the cable or terminals.

        Be sure the cable remains at least 4 inches away from all metal
        surfaces.

        Use standoff insulators about every 4 feet.

        Twist the cable about three turns between each standoff.

        Use a 300-ohm static discharge unit to ground the twin-lead cable
        at the point where the wire enters the house.

ATTACHING TO THE MAST

Caution:  The crossover wires must not touch the antenna boom, the mast,
          or each other.  If necessary, carefully bend the crossover wires
          to provide at least 1/2 inch of clearance.

          Slide the antenna's mast clamp assemblies over the end of the
          mast with the main boom on top.  Then tighten the mast clamp
          assemblies' nuts to hold the antenna in place.  Take care not to
          overtighten the nuts.

SETTING UP THE MAST

How you set up your mast depends on your specific installation.  After you
set up the mast, rotate it so the antenna's shorter elements point toward
the broadcast antennas of the stations you want to receive.

CONNECTING TO YOUR TV/VCR

Connect the antenna's lead-in cable to your TV and FM receiver's antenna
terminals according to the type of cable you used.  A few methods are as
follows:

If you have:

Coaxial antenna lead-in
Twin-lead VHF terminals
We recommend you use Radio Shack Cat.No. 15-1140, Indoor/Outdoor Matching
Transformer.

If you have:

Coaxial antenna lead-in
Twin-lead VHF terminals
Coaxial FM antenna terminals

We recommend you use:

Radio Shack Cat. No. 15-1140,Indoor/Outdoor Matching Transformer and
Radio Shack Cat. No. 15-1141, Hybrid Splitter/Combiner

If you have:

Coaxial antenna lead-in
Combined coaxial VHF/UHF terminal, plug it in.

(br/all-9/20/94)