Putting up a TV antenna outside your home will give you years of free television. It’s easy, and once you do it, you’ll enjoy dozens of channels. Most of them aren’t featured on any cable or satellite TV system. Antenna television isn’t affected by weather or internet outages. It’s a great option.
Choosing a mounting option
Most outdoor antennas do not come with their own mounts. This gives you complete flexibility when it comes to choosing how to put them up. You can choose a traditional mounting solution for a permanent, sturdy installation. Or, you can choose a temporary mount which will let you avoid drilling holes in a home you don’t own. The choice is up to you!
When choosing a mounting option, the most important thing to ask is where. Are you going to be able to mount the antenna up on the roof, where it will get the strongest signal? Or, will you choose to put it on a patio or in an attic, where the installation is easier? It depends on your comfort level and the level of expertise you have.
Once you decide where to put the antenna, you’ll have to choose how to mount it. In most cases, a permanent mount is best. Most antennas are secured to eaves (the boards just under the roof line.) That’s an easy way to get them up there. Mounting to that board, called a fascia board, will also help you avoid drilling into the roof itself. If you drill into the roof, you must be very careful to seal any holes carefully.
Sometimes, eave mounts aren’t an option. When that happens, you can look at other choices. Some are permanent, some are not. Non-penetrating mounts are a popular choice. They use cinder blocks to secure the antenna. You can get the cinder blocks locally and avoid high shipping costs.
Which mount is best for you?
The antennas you find at Solid Signal will mount on any vertical mast or post with an outer diameter of 1.25″ – 1.75″. Here are some suggested mounting options.
 |
J-Mounts are recommended for installation on eaves or fascia boards. When mounting using a J-mount, make sure there is 3′ open space behind the mount for the antenna. We recommend this universal J-Mount. |
|---|---|
 |
Tripod mounts are recommended for temporary installations and should be secured with bolts or sandbags. We recommend this 5-foot mast and tripod mount kit. |
 |
Non-penetrating mounts are designed for installations on level, flat surfaces and are secured by cinder blocks. We recommend this non-penetrating mount and mast kit (cinder blocks not included.) |
 |
CommDeck mounts are designed for permanent roof installation and install without drilling holes in the roof. It is best installed when re-roofing. We recommend this CommDeck mount. |
 |
Chimney mounts attach to your chimney without damaging the bricks and can be used for permanent installation. We recommend this chimney mount. (Mast not included: we recommend this mast) |
Mounting your antenna
There are plenty of tutorials here on The Solid Signal Blog about mounting. But, if you just want a quick tutorial, here’s the most important stuff. Make sure your mount is secure. If you’re screwing it into something, make sure that thing is solid, without any rot or decay. If you’re putting it on a flat surface, make sure the surface is strong and can handle the weight.
Above all, the most important thing I can tell you is that you should always have someone else with you. Too many people try doing these things and end up hurting themselves because they fall off a ladder. Make sure someone is spotting you and be careful! Antenna TV is great, but it’s not worth risking your life over.
When you’re ready to shop for an antenna or an antenna mount, check out the great selection at Solid Signal!
