Talking House Talking House Outdoor Antenna Kit (for... User manual

OUTDOOR
ANTENNA KIT
Instruction Manual

Outdoor Antenna Kit
The Outdoor Antenna Kit moves the antenna outside the obstructions caused by the
walls of the location, and typically, increases the distance of the signal, allowing you to
reach distances of up to a quarter-mile. The Outdoor Antenna Kit contains:
Auxiliary Transmitting Unit (ATU),
3" x 4" x 5" cube, made of
weatherproof plastic
8' white fiberglass
whip antenna
100' coaxial cable Pole mount hardware kit, jaw/vise type
pole clamp and wing mounts
Plastic antenna
securing fastener
AT U

Whip Antenna Connector
The ATU. The following is an illustration of the ATU and it’s parts.
Placement. The Outdoor Antenna should be mounted directly to the outside of a
building in an inconspicuous location within sight of where you want your messages to
be heard. It typically allows you to significantly increase your signal distance because
the signal is no longer being hindered by the building materials of the structure. You
do not want to mount the Outdoor Antenna behind the building where cars will be
tuning-in since AM radio signals broadcast in direct line of sight. The higher the antenna
is placed, the further the signal will broadcast.
INA JAM
19 IOWA90
Mounting Bracket
Mounting Bracket
HI/LOW Frequency Switch
Tuning Knob Meter
Ground Wire Connector
Hinged Cover
COAX connector to Transmitter

Step Action
1You’ll need to purchase a five-foot length of one inch diameter metal pipe in a five foot length
and drive this into the ground where you want the antenna installed.
2Open the pole mount hardware kit (supplied).
3Place the 4 screws through the screw holes in the Mounting Brackets on the ATU box.
4Attach one pole clamp onto the top screws, and one pole clamp onto the bottom screws, so that
the jaws are facing the ATU. Slightly tighten the wing nuts to prevent the clamps from falling off.
5Slide the clamps over the pole and fully tighten the wing nuts.
6Screw the fiberglass whip antenna onto the top of the ATU.
Temporary Mounting of the Outdoor Antenna. Use the steps below to temporarily mount
the Outdoor Antenna at a location, using the pole mount method. This would be used any
time you need some extra distance to reach listeners at a location where the Transmitter
is likely to be moved after a short period of time.
step 6
step 3
step 4
step 5
TIP:
Remember that
the higher you
mount the antenna
from the earth, the
further your signal
can reach.

Permanent Mounting of the Outdoor Antenna. Use the steps below to permanently
mount the Outdoor Antenna to a building. This would be used any time you need some
extra distance to reach listeners at a location where the Transmitter is likely to remain
for an extended period of time.
step 2 step 4
step 3
Step Action
1You’ll need to purchase:
• 1 sq. ft. pressure treated wood
• 4 wood screws to attach the ATU to the piece of wood
• Screws to mount the wood plate and ATU to the building’s exterior
2Using the wood screws, attach the ATU to the wood square through the Mounting Brackets
on the top and bottom of the ATU
3Mount the wood square to the building.
4Attach the whip antenna onto the Whip Antenna Connection on top of the ATU.
5Secure the top of whip antenna to the building, with the plastic whip antenna securing fastener,
to prevent whipping or bending.
step 5
AT U
AT U
AT U

OUTDOOR
ANTENNA
CONNECT
ANTENNA
SELECT
TWO-PART
MESSAGE
SELECT
Part 1 Part 2
CUSTOM POWER
INPUT
120 VAC
Remove key to prevent changes
to message or frequency
Basic Outdoor
ISD4004-8
SPEAKER VOLUME
Must be OFF when using a
microphone to avoid feedback
18 VDC
BACK-UP MICROPHONE:
Speak into vent on cabinet top
LINE INPUT
500mVPP/10K
WITH AGC
TRANSMIT MODE SWITCH
Message Chip Live Radio
5 minutes
OUTDOOR
ANTENNA
CONNECT
ANTENNA
SELECT
TWO-PART
MESSAGE
SELECT
Part 1 Part 2
CUSTOM POWER
INPUT
120 VAC
Remove key to prevent changes
to message or frequency
Basic Outdoor
ISD4004-8
SPEAKER VOLUME
Must be OFF when using a
microphone to avoid feedback
18 VDC
BACK-UP MICROPHONE:
Speak into vent on cabinet top
LINE INPUT
500mVPP/10K
WITH AGC
TRANSMIT MODE SWITCH
Message Chip Live Radio
5 minutes
Step Action
1Connect one end of the Coax Cable to the COAX Connector on the bottom of the ATU.
2Connect the other end of the Coax Cable to the Outdoor Antenna Connect located on the
back of the i A.M. Radio Transmitter.
3Remove the clear plastic protector from the Antenna Selection Switch located on the
back of the Transmitter and move the switch to Outdoor.
RESULT: You will now see a red light on the Display Panel located on the front of the Transmitter,
indicating that the Outdoor Antenna is now in use.
Connecting the Outdoor Antenna to the i A.M. Radio Transmitter.Follow the steps below to
connect the Outdoor Antenna to the i A.M. Radio Transmitter.
NOTE: The Coax Cable that attaches the Outdoor Antenna to the i A.M. Radio Transmitter comes
in 100' length. Do not attempt to adjust the length of the cable by cutting it. This will
jeopardize performance. You may coil any extra cable and secure it with a tie.
step 1
step 2
step 3
ATU
ATU

Tuning the Outdoor Antenna. Follow the steps below to tune the Outdoor Antenna.
Step Action
1Make sure that the Transmitter is operating inside the location and is set to your chosen
frequency.
2Open the cover of the ATU.
3Select HI or LOW on the HI/LOW Frequency switch. If you are broadcasting on a frequency:
• OVER 1000 KHz (e.g. 1620) select HI
• UNDER 1000 KHz (e.g. 870) select LOW
4Turn the Tuning Knob on the ATU until the needle on the Output Meter peaks at its highest
number.
NOTE: Don’t worry if you cannot get to 10, anything 6 or higher is good (Typical is 7-9).
Do not touch antenna while tuning, it will cause the output to change.
5Close the cover on the ATU box.
NOTE: Anytime you select a different frequency on the transmitter you will need to open the ATU cover
and re-peak the meter so that the antenna is tuned to the new frequency.
6For best performance,, you may want to attach a wire (not supplied,) from the the Ground Wire
Connector on the top of the ATU to an earth ground.
Some examples of earth grounds are:
• The center screw that holds the cover on a wall electrical outlet.
• Plumbing, water pipes (metal).
• A copper ground rod driven into the earth.
Please note that Part 15 FCC regulations do not allow an antenna in excess of 3 meters in
length and most usually the ground wire length must be considered by adding its length to
this total antenna measurement calculation.
Whip Antenna Connector
Mounting Bracket
Mounting Bracket
HI/LOW Frequency Switch
Tuning Knob Meter
Ground Wire Connector
Hinged Cover
COAX connector to Transmitter