Installing the RCA VH126N Antenna Rotator

Installing the RCA VH126N Antenna Rotator

Installing the Outdoor Drive Unit 

Step 1: Attach cable to the drive unit:

1. Run cable (not included) to the drive unit.
   IMPORTANT: Up to 280’ (84m) of 20AWG 3 conductor cable may be used. For longer runs, use heavier gauge wire.
2. Unscrew the single screw on the bottom door. Swing the door open.
3. Remove the grommet and insert the cable thru the slot. Press the grommet back into the housing.
4. Separate leads for 1.5”(4cm) and strip off the insulation for 0.5”.
   
   IMPORTANT: To avoid moisture collecting in the cable make sure the cable jacket passes thru the grommet.
5. Find the silver- or wide-jacketed lead and connect it to terminal 1. Connect the adjacent lead to terminal 2. Connect the third lead to terminal 3. If 4 wire cable is used, connect both wire 3 and 4 to Terminal 3.
   IMPORTANT: Make sure there are no loose strands which can short between terminals.
6. Double check the wiring order. Close the door and screw it back into place.

Step 2: Mount the drive unit: If you're not mounting the unit inside a tower, you'll need to mount it to a separate mast (not included). This kit comes with the necessary hardware for mounting.

CAUTION: Select a mounting location where the antenna cannot come in contact with power lines while it is being installed, and where the installation will not fall across power lines if a guy wire should fail.

1. Screw the 4 threaded inserts in the four holes in the side of the drive unit base. One end of each insert has a slot you will use with a flat-head screwdriver to make sure the inserts are in as far as they will go. Make sure you put the opposite end in the drive unit. Then screw the inserts as far as they will go into the drive unit.
2. Screw the washerless nuts onto the inserts until they are snug against the drive unit.
3. Put the largest of the four brackets onto the ends of the bottom two inserts. Put the nuts with attached lock washers on the very end of the inserts to keep the bracket in place.
4. Put one of the other brackets onto the ends of the top two inserts. Put the nuts with attached lock washers on the very end of the inserts to keep the bracket in place.
5. Position the brackets and nuts/washers so that they leave just enough room for the support mast to go through.
6. Lower the drive unit onto the support mast until it stops on the mast nose of the drive housing. Tighten the nuts. Moderate tightening with a 7/16” wrench will cause the teeth to grip the mast securely.
   
   IMPORTANT: Do not overtighten to the point that you deform the mast, since this will reduce its strength. Mast diameters of 1.25” to 2” (3-5cm) may be used. The 1.5” (3.8cm) size or larger is recommended for unguyed masts over 6’ long, or where large antennas are used. If guy wires are used, fasten two through each of the two holes of the lower bracket.

Step 3: Install the antenna/cable:

1. Insert the 2 U-bolts through the back of the rotor section of the drive unit.
2. Place the remaining 2 brackets over the ends of the U-bolts
3. Put the nuts with attached lock washers on the very end of the U-bolts to keep the brackets in place.
4. Position the brackets and nuts/washers so that they leave just enough room for the antenna mast to go through. Note: Use no more than 3” of antenna mast between the rotor and the antenna itself.
    
5. Lower the antenna mast between the brackets and the rotor. Tighten the nuts. Moderate tightening with a 7/16” wrench will cause the teeth to grip the mast securely.
6. After connecting the antenna lead-in cable to the antenna, fasten it to the antenna mast using stand-off insulators (not included) as shown. Provide a generous loop at the drive unit.
7. Attach the lead-in cable to the support mast with stand-off insulators (not included) approximately every four feet.
8. Tape the rotator control cable directly to the support mast.

Installing and Programming the Indoor Control Unit

Step 1: Set up to the control unit:

1. Determine the length of cable needed to run between the outdoor and indoor units. Cut the cable to that length.
2. Strip about 1/2” of the jacket off the end of each wire.
    
3. Insert each bare wire into the connector plate on the control unit’s back panel as shown below.
    
4. Release jacket to secure on connector.
   IMPORTANT: The unit must be wired correctly. Damage can result from improper wiring.
5. Plug power cord of the control unit into AC outlet.
6. Turn on the unit. The CHANNEL on the front panel reads 0, and the ANT POSITION display reads 00.

Step 2: Program the control unit:

1. Press the INITIAL key on the control unit’s front panel keypad. The control unit and rotator are initializing to prepare for initial setup. The CHANNEL and POSITION indicators blink during this process, which takes about a minute and a half. When the CHANNEL and POSITION indicators stops blinking, the control unit and rotator are ready for setup.
2. Press the INITIAL key. The ANT POSITION display shows 36 to 0.
   
   NOTES:
   • You must perform the learning procedure before installing the antenna mast. This procedure allows you to make sure the rotator goes the entire 360º with no problems. See the Learning section below for more information.
   • A strong storm or power failure may cause the rotator to change position. Use the INITIAL key to re-synchronize the system. If this reset procedure doesn't get the desired results, the antenna of driver motor may be misaligned on the antenna mast. You can either go to the antenna and re-orient it or program the control unit to correspond to the new antenna orientation.
3. Tune your TV to the station that you want to receive.
4. While watching your TV screen, press the < and > keys on the control unit’s front panel to move the antenna clockwise (>) and counter-clockwise (<) until you find the position that gives you the best reception for this channel.
5. When you've found the best antenna position for this channel, press the MEMORY key on the control unit’s front panel. The ANT POSITION indicator blinks.
6. Press one of the letter keys on the control unit’s front panel to store the antenna position for this station to that key. The ANT POSITION indicator shows the degree of the antenna’s position. Note: Using a letter key that already has a position stored to it in this step erases the old position stored and stores the new one.
7. The back of the control unit’s remote control has a chart for recording the channel and antenna position corresponding to each letter key. Write down this information on this chart.
8. Repeat steps 3-7 for the next TV station. Choose a different letter key to store its location. You can store up to 12 antenna positions so that you can easily find the best reception for each TV station.

Step 3: Install batteries in the remote:

1. Press and push the battery compartment cover to remove it.
2. Insert the batteries, matching the batteries to the (+) and (–) marks inside the battery compartment.
3. Push the battery cover back into place.

Battery Precautions:

• Do not mix old and new batteries.
• Do not mix alkaline, standard (carbon-zinc) or rechargeable (nickel cadmium) batteries.
• Always remove old, weak or worn-out batteries promptly and recycle or dispose of them in accordance with Local and National Regulations.