We live in Orlando Fl and homes here are very prone to lightning strikes. If the antenna is the highest thing in the home am I asking to get fried?
1371800
that is a possibility but i am not an expert. what i have seen others do is to add in a ground strap just like people do for "TV dish antennas" recommend you get a real professional input
1371801
You should ground it. There is a grounding kit available from the manufacturer, but you can do it yourself. Another option is moving the antenna down. Mine is only 7 feet off the ground and it works perfectly. You may not need to have it up so high. Also consider an inline coax surge protector.
1371802
Oh yeah. But that's true of any antenna - they all should be disconnected when there's lightning nearby. It's possible a grounding wire would prevent damage, though.
2112732
This device is intended to provide protection for cable wires, whether from a satellite dish or a cable coming into the house. Lightning can strike the ground, your roof, a utility pole, etc. We live in central Florida and have had two strikes since installing this device. The outside cable equipment was damaged but none of our electronics were hurt. For the amount of money, it is cheap insurance for expensive electronics. Ground it well!!!
1382779
I have picked up from that distance, without a lot of things blocking your signal. You can put this antenna outside when you use it, but if I do put it outside, I don't when it is raining, I always bring it back inside later on. Put it up high outside. There might be something you can pick up between your house and the Library that you didn't know about. Try different directions with the antenna itself. I love mine, using it right now! Good Luck!!
282363
No, in fact grounding the mast may attract lighting. I am very satisfied with my LAVA. It's out standing. I feel this antenna is too fragile for outdoor use. With an attic mount I get crystal clear reception for up to sixty miles.
1461076
I would say yes, We have a high ceiling with no attic and My antenna is sitting on the floor of our loft leaning against a large window.
534270
That should be no issue. That is approximately what I have if you include the mast and the antenna. I don't do a lot of movement from station to station. You may find that may be a hindrance to your needs. It has been though the winter and several strong storms and no problems yet.Hope this helps
1062763
You can use it without grounding but it's neither wise nor legal. The National Electrical Code (NEC) requires that every TV antenna installation be grounded. You town/city/county may also have a requirement. But that's not the only reason - it's common sense. Because the antenna is usually the highest point on the house, it is highly susceptible to lightning strikes. TYhe ungrounded system will take the massive charge right in your coax, frying your system and possible starting a fire.
1076394
The answer is to always go up, the higher the better. A vertical antenna radiates in all directions so you don't want one of those directions (mobile home) to block the RF.
1830598
It does not have to be but grounding is always better when you can do it. Mine is mounted to 15ft of metal TV mast attached to the house with a lightning arrestor inline with a wire going to an 8ft ground rod at the base of the mast. Lightning is very unusual here although built up static can "kill" preamps and rx. My main concern is man-made noise which is severe here. All my other rx only antennas have common mode chokes at the antenna with a ground and a choke at the rx. Nothing is perfect but the extra protection may save your equipment. I wouldn't cheap out on it. Just my humble opinion. It does not have to be but grounding is always better when you can do it. Mine is mounted to 15ft of metal TV mast attached to the house with a lightning arrestor inline with a wire going to an 8ft ground rod at the base of the mast. Lightning is very unusual here although built up static can "kill" preamps and rx. My main concern is man-made noise which is severe here. All my other rx only antennas have common mode chokes at the antenna with a ground and a choke at the rx. Nothing is perfect but the extra protection may save your equipment. I wouldn't cheap out on it. Just my... » Read More It does not have to be but grounding is always better when you can do it. Mine is mounted to 15ft of metal TV mast attached to the house with a lightning arrestor inline with a wire going to an 8ft ground rod at the base of the mast. Lightning is very unusual here although built up static can "kill" preamps and rx. My main concern is man-made noise which is severe here. All my other rx only antennas have common mode chokes at the antenna with a ground and a choke at the rx. Nothing is perfect but the extra protection may save your equipment. I wouldn't cheap out on it. Just my humble opinion. « Show Less
2067673
My antenna is 100' of 16AWG solid copper wire (GLS Audio premium grade speaker wire from Amazon) strung through some backyard fruit trees as high as possible. I put an alligator clip on one end, that I simply clip onto the built-in telescoping antenna. Experiment with the antenna placement for the best reception. I read that early morning is the time for best reception. I hope this helps!
2045360
There's no doubt that you'll get better coverage with the higher wattage. However I wouldn't want to be living/working that close to an indoor antenna, constantly getting bathed in all that RF all the time.
1651000
That's where mine is. If your roof is wood and asphalt shingle AND you can get it high enough, it should be fine. I pull every channel that is available in my area (50 miles) which equals 36 channels. It does a very good job and my antenna is just 13'8" from ground level. Love the High Def reception
265505
I really don't know. But I unplug my home wireless wifi during storms. Have had it go out from lightening.
587602
I would say NO. I returned this antenna because it would not pick up channesl 20 miles away from my home. don't waste you money on this.
176896
Place the antenna as high as you can and the wings of the antenna should be perpendicular to the towers your trying to pick up... you may need an antenna with more elements... I have been using a roof top or attic antenna and picking up 40 in St Pete....my girl friend closer to the stations by 4 miles has rabbit ears...about the same power as this thing and sometimes gets 1 ! Trees, humidity in the air, rain, disturbances and the sun going down ionizing the atmosphere will decrease the signals. I sent the one like this back.
2010256
Also careful not to heat too much around the home button. It can melt the wifi antenna
1124840
we have lots of lightning bugs so I don't think so. Best check with the manufacturer.