Antennacraft Antenna FMSS manual

							
BEFORE YOU BEGIN
Read this manual and Consumer Product Safety Commis-
sion  information.  For  your  safety  and  convenience,  plan 
each step of the installation and purchase the necessary 
hardware in advance. The order in which you perform the 
steps and the hardware required depends on the mounting 
and connection methods you choose. We recommend two 
people  assemble  the  entire  antenna  on  the  ground,  then 
mount the assembled antenna on the mast. 
Note:   If  you  mount  your  FM  antenna  on  the  same  mast 
with your  TV antenna, mount it a minimum of 4-foot above 
or below the TV antenna for best reception.
Warning: When you install your antenna, use extreme cau-
tion.  If  the  antenna  starts  to  fall,  let  it  go!  It  could  contact 
overhead power lines. If the antenna touches the power line, 
contact with the antenna, mast, cable, or guy wires can cause 
electrocution and death. Call the power company to remove 
the antenna. Do not attempt to remove it yourself.
ASSEMBLING THE ANTENNA
1. Hold the elements near the pivot points and pull them 
away from the boom until they snap into the self-locking 
plastic support insulators.
 Caution: To avoid damage to the elements, do not pull 
them  near  their  outer  ends.  Once  the  elements  are 
locked  into  position,  do  not  attempt  to  unlock  them. 
Doing so might break the self-locking tab.
2. Press the supplied end plugs into ends of the boom.
FMSS
Omnidirectional FM Antenna CONNECTING LEAD-IN CABLE TO THE ANTENNA
We recommend RG-6 cable, and if you prepare your own cable, 
a quality F-connector.  Note: If you prepare your own cable, 
slide a (not supplied) matching transformer’s weather boot onto 
the cable before you attach the F-connector.
1.  Slide  the  9-inch  intercoupler ’s  ring  terminals  over  the 
antenna’s  lead-in  terminals  labeled  “CONNECT  LEAD-IN 
& INTERCOUPLER HERE”.
2.   Slide the (not supplied) matching transformer’s spade termi-
nals around the same lead-in terminals described in step 1.
3.  Secure the ring terminals and spade terminals with two of 
the supplied flat washers and wing nuts.
FMSS
4. Screw  the  cable’s  F-connector  onto  the  matching  trans-
former.  Then  slip  a  (not  supplied)  weatherboot  over  the 
connection. 
Note: If you use a cable without a weatherboot, cover the con-
nection with weatherproof tape.
WA R N I N G :  I n s t a l l a t i o n   o f 
this  product  near  powerlines 
is DANGEROUS.  For  your 
safety,  follow  the  installation 
directions.
HD Radio Ready!
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  instructions  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
Note: Make sure the installation of the antenna conforms 
to local electrical and building codes., zoning requirements 
and  other  applicable  laws  and  regulations.  If  you  are  un-
sure, contact your local electrician or building inspector for 
assistance.
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 or #8 aluminum grounding wire to 
the base of thee antenna mast. Using stand-offs every 
4 to 6 feet, run the wire down the building in as straight 
a line as possible.
2. Attach  a  300  ohm  static  discharge  unit  (lightning  ar-
restor) or a 75 ohm grounding block 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  lead-in  cable’s 
grounding unit 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.
B A S E   A N D   R O O F MOUNT: Mast  locks  i n t o   U - b o l t .   S w i v e l 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 RACHET MOUNT: Provides secure mounting to chim-ney with straps.
T O W E R :  N o t 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.
www.antennacraft.net
092608  700FMSS0IS 
						

							
How you set up your mast depends on your specific instal-
lation. Refer to the Consumer Product Safety Commission 
information  on  pages  3  and  4  of  this  manual  for  recom-
mended methods.
1. Attach  the  mast  clamp  and  the  adapter  plate  to  the 
mast as shown. Be sure to position the clamp and the 
adapter plate at the point on the mast where you want 
to mount the antenna.
2. Secure the clamp and the adapter plate by tightening 
the supplied lock nuts. Do not over-tighten them.
ROUTING THE CABLE TO YOUR FM RECEIVER
• Use plastic tape to secure the coaxial cable to the mast at 
about 3-foot intervals.
• Use  coaxial  nail  clips  every  few  feet  to  secure  the  cable 
between the mast and where the cable enters the house.
• Use a 75-ohm grounding block at the point where the co-
axial cable enters the house. Read the Consumer Product 
Safety  Commission  information  for  grounding  instruc-
tions.
•  Use a drip-loop before the cable enters the house.
• Use a wall-through tube to neatly route the coaxial cable 
through the walls.
  
 
ATTACHING TO THE MAST
3. Slide the supplied long screws through the holes on the 
same side of the boom as the permanently attached 
intercoupler terminals.
4. Hold  the  screw  heads  in  place  while  you  attach  the 
antenna  boom  to  the  adapter  plate’s  holes.  Be  sure 
the adapter plate is on the opposite side of the boom 
from the lead-in terminals.
5. Secure the adapter plate to the antenna’s boom with 
two of the supplied flat washers and wing nuts.
6. Set up the mast.
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 its mast are properly grounded.
HOW TO SELECT & 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 mast.
3. Double this total for the minimum recommended safe dis-
tance. If you cannot maintain this safe distance, STOP! 
  GET PROFESSIONAL HELP.
   
The safest distance from powerlineshould be twice the height of the mast plus twice the length of the antenna..SAFEST 
LOCATION