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SETTING UP THE TM-100
The best place to mount an antenna is away from large trees and buildings but
with a good line of sight to the places you want to reach. This means you will
want to mount the antenna up high on a roof or an antenna tower. If you live in
an apartment and that is not possible, you will want to mount the antenna in the
center of a room for best performance or outside on the porch.
Next you will want to be aware of the signal polarization. If your receiving
antenna is vertical, you will also want to mount your transmitting antenna
vertically for maximum performance. The same rule goes for horizontal
polarization. You will need to experiment a little before you mount the antenna
to see which orientation suits you, but the best bet is a vertical polarization
(note the orientation of car radio antennas).
If you are planning on mounting the antenna outside, be sure to wait for nice
weather. No, the antenna doesn't work better if it has been supercharged with a
lightning strike first. Also we're sure you don't want to hear harp music before
you're finished installing it. Be sure to stay away from power lines and gutters;
they can ruin your day as well.
Many people will use an antenna tripod and mast available at Radio Shack or
through ham radio dealers to mount the antenna. Other ways of mounting
would be to the chimney, antenna tower, or to a corner of the house (out of
sight). Also remember that lightning will strike from the highest points in a
given area. It is best to make sure that the antenna is lower than the chimney or
a nearby tree. Hopefully mother nature will choose them instead. If in any
doubt, install lightning protection on your roof to prevent equipment meltdown.
To enhance performance and reduce the chance of lightning damage you can
connect a ground wire from the shield of the coax before it runs into the house
to a copper stake driven six feet into the ground. Consult a good antenna book
for more details on antenna grounding.
TM100 Page 14
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