Over-the-air antennas are one of those things that never really go out of style. Every time the economy turns a little bit downward, people look to ditch expensive cable bills and streaming subscriptions. That leads them back to the granddaddy of all video entertainment: over-the-air antennas. Television broadcasting started in this country in 1939, and after a short break for World War II, it took off like a shot. Until the 1980s, it was not only the most dominant form of video entertainment, it was the only one in most cases.
Even today, people are discovering that with a TV antenna, you have a 24/7 stream of free entertainment that’s often as good as cable or streaming. Free movies, the most popular TV shows, and more are all there for you. With today’s digital TV, most areas get at least 50 different channels, all crystal clear. If that doesn’t convince you to get an antenna, what will?
But how do you mount it?
Every time you see an outdoor antenna, it’s going to be connected to some sort of vertical pole. We call that a mast, and it provides stability so the antenna can point where it needs to go.
There are special mounting systems for roofs, eaves, and anywhere you might need to mount an antenna. We can even quote full tower systems for you if you call us at 888-233-7563. But, at their heart, these are essentially big metal sticks. And that’s what you really need to know here.
Personally, I hope you’ll consider getting a mast like this one from Solid Signal. This is a heavy duty pole that will fit any over-the-air antenna. It will hold up to wind, rain, snow, and pretty much anything short of a large earthquake or hurricane. But, I’ll admit that it’s not your only choice
Getting the mast you need locally
If you choose to get a mast locally because you want to avoid the shipping, I can’t blame you. In fact I’ll even give you the information you need.
A typical antenna mast is measured by its outer diameter. In other words, the thickness measured from the outside. The inner diameter is obviously the thickness measured from the inside, and that can vary a lot depending on the thickness of your mast. So don’t worry about inner diameter. Outer diameter is all you need.
You should look for a mast between 1.25″ and 1.66″ outer diameter. With those sizes, pretty much any antenna is going to fit perfectly. Too small and the mast might not hold up to the weather. Too big and the antenna might not fit on it.
I personally prefer metal for masts. Wood will work if it’s dense enough but it can warp over time. So, my recommendation if you want to stay local is to go to your local home store or fencing contractor and get what you need from them.
With all the money you save…
Hopefully saving a little bit of money on shipping a mast will give you more in your pocket. And, I hope that you’ll take some of that cash and spend it at Solid Signal. We have the best selection of antenna accessories and thousands of hard-to-find parts. If you’re not sure what you need, call the experts! We’re here for you during East Coast business hours at 888-233-7563. If it’s after hours, fill out the form below. We’ll get right back to you!
