Radio Shack 15-257 User manual

Thank you for purchasing your Outdoor Amplified HDTV
Antenna from RadioShack. Please read this user’s guide before
installing, setting up, and using your new antenna.
Outdoor Amplified HDTV Antenna
User’s Guide 15-257
Patent pending
w WARNING: INSTALLATION OF THIS PRODUCT
NEAR POWERLINES IS DANGEROUS. FOR YOUR
SAFETY, FOLLOW THE INSTALLATION DIRECTIONS.

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Package contents
• Antenna • Power Injector
• 12-ft Coax Cable • AC Adapter
• Multi-directional Base
• 4 Screws with Anchors • 4 Spring Washers
• 4 Wing Nuts • 2 U-Bolts
• User’s Guide • Quick Start
1Assemble the antenna
Your antenna includes a multi-directional base that lets you
assemble and position your antenna for optimum reception.
1. Position the top of the antenna’s pole parallel to the wall
or mast (not supplied). You can also bend the pole at its
central joint.
2. Turn the knob on the back of the antenna counterclockwise
to loosen.
3. Insert the multi-directional base into
the antenna.
4. Rotate the knob clockwise to secure
the antenna.
5. Connect one end of the 12-ft coax
cable to the Antenna Terminal.
2Mount antenna base
You can mount the antenna’s multi-directional base to a wall or
a mast outside or in any out-of-the-way indoor location such as
an attic. For the best performance, mount the antenna as high
as possible, away from obstructions, and clear of interference.

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Ideal Installation Locations
In the attic On a grille Under eaves
On railings On an outdoor wall
To a Wall
1. Using the multi-directional base as
a template, mark the four mounting
screw locations on the wall.
2. Drill a hole in the wall at each marked
location.
3. Thread the anchors into each mounting hole.
4. While holding the mounting base against the wall, thread
a screw through each round hole in the base, anchor in the
wall, and tighten the screws.
To a Mast
1. Place the multi-directional base so that the curved bottom
rests firmly against the mast.
2. Place one U-bolt around the mast and
align the ends with the corresponding
holes on the bottom of the antenna
base.
3. Insert the ends of the U-bolt through
the holes and attach a wing nut with
spring washer to each end of the
U-bolt.
4. Repeat steps 2 and 3 for the other
U-bolt.
5. Tighten the wing nuts to secure the
base to the mast.

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Power the Antenna
1. Connect the other end of 12-ft coax cable from the antenna
to the power injector’s ANT terminal. To prevent rain
water dripping down the coax cable and damaging indoor
electronics, create a “drip loop,” shown below, before the
cable enters the house.
2. Connect the power injector’s pre-attached coaxial cable to
the Antenna In jack on your TV, receiver, or set top box.
3. Insert the AC adapter’s small barrel plug into the power
injector’s DC 12V jack, and plug the AC adapter into a
standard AC outlet.
nNote: Always connect the AC adapter to the antenna
before you connect it to AC power.
TV with ATSC
HDTV tuner
AC adapter
Power
injector
Indoor Outdoor
TV with ATSC
HDTV tuner
AC adapter
Power
injector
Indoor Outdoor
Power Injector’s
Coaxial Cable
To TV
TV with ATSC HDTV tuner
AC adapter
Power injector
Indoor Outdoor
TV with ATSC
HDTV tuner
AC adapter
Power
injector
Indoor Outdoor
DC 12V jack
Supplied Coax Cable
Power Injector’s
ANT Terminal
Drip Loop
Wall

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4. Adjust the antenna to a position that provides the best
reception.
n Notes:
• For HD reception, you need a TV with an ATSC HDTV tuner,
an HDTV receiver, or digital Set Top box (not included).
• Use only an adapter that supplies 12VDC and delivers at
least 100mA. Its center tip must be set to positive and its
plug must fit this antenna’s DC 12V jack.
• Disconnect the adapter from AC power before you
disconnect it from the antenna.
Specifications
Power source......................................................... 12V DC 100mA
Frequency Range
UHF............................................. 470 – 806 MHz (channel 14−69)
VHF-Hi .......................................... 174 – 216 MHz (channel 7−13)
Average amplifier gain....................................................10-14 dB
Output impedance...........................................................75 ohms
Output return loss ............................................... 6 dB (minimum)
Noise figure............................................................................. 4 dB
Dimensions (H×W×D) ......... 7.7×13×2.5 in. (196×330×63.5 mm)
Weight .....................................................................20.9 oz (593 g)
Specifications are subject to change and improvement without
notice. Actual product may vary from the images found in this
document.
Lightning Protection
Ground wires for both the mast and download should be
copper or aluminum wire, 8 AWG or larger. Mount a grounding
block (not supplied) as close as possible to where the download
cable enters the house. Downlead wire from the antenna to the
grounding block and the mast ground wire should be secured
to the house with standoff insulators, spaced 4-6 feet apart.