How do you hook up to a rooftop antenna?

Question

I moved into a house with a rooftop antenna, but the former residents had been using satalite. I want to hook back into the antenna, but I don't know how. I have been up there and don't see where there is a place to hook up to.

Answer 1

First you want to determine if it is time to replace this antenna.  Do not bend it too much but touch its elements (the metal pieces that stick out from the boom).  If these elements break off or if the connection is too corroded discard this antenna and buy a new one.

If the antenna is not corroded beyond repair then you need to find the two screws with the wing nuts on them.  Connect a new 300 ohm to 75 ohm transformer to those wing nuts (little electronics store part with a short twin lead end and another end with a connector for the 75 ohm coax cable).  You can find this part at department, electronics and hardware stores that sell antennas.

Run a 75 ohm coax cable from the transformer to the ground block.  Buy this ground block where you bought the transformer.  Connect the end of a grounding wire to the block and to a copper water pipe in the ground or a grounding rod.

Run another 75 ohm cable from the other end of the grounding block to the TV set antenna connector.

Aim the antenna and enjoy TV.