Antenna and Television Systems Installer Course

Lesson 1 • Signal Flow and System Architecture

Traces the path of a broadcast signal from tower to television screen. Reinforces component roles by mapping them onto a complete system diagram.

Lesson 2 • Broadcast Signal Fundamentals

Covers RF signal properties, frequency bands, and modulation types used in TV broadcasting. Establishes the physics basis needed for all subsequent installation work.

Lesson 3 • Core System Components

Identifies cables, connectors, splitters, amplifiers, and set-top boxes within a TV distribution system. Provides component literacy required for system design and troubleshooting.

Lesson 4 • Antenna Types and Their Applications

Introduces directional, omnidirectional, and multi-element antenna designs and their use cases. Connects antenna selection to signal environment and reception goals.

Lesson 1 • Site Survey and Assessment Techniques

Introduces signal strength meters, compass bearings, and obstruction mapping for pre-installation surveys. Accurate site assessment drives antenna placement and system design decisions.

Lesson 2 • Connector Preparation and Termination

Teaches stripping, crimping, and compression termination of F-type connectors on coaxial cable. Proper termination prevents signal leakage and connector failure in the field.

Lesson 3 • Coaxial Cable Selection and Handling

Examines RG-6, RG-11, and quad-shield cable specifications for different run lengths and environments. Correct cable choice directly affects signal quality and system longevity.

Lesson 4 • Workspace Organization and Job Preparation

Covers material staging, job-site safety setup, and customer communication before work begins. Organized preparation reduces installation time and professional liability.

Lesson 1 • Grounding the Antenna System

Explains antenna discharge units, ground rods, and bonding conductors required for lightning protection. Proper grounding protects equipment and occupants from surge damage.

Lesson 2 • Rooftop and Attic Installation Methods

Covers roof penetration sealing, attic mounting strategies, and load distribution on roofing materials. Proper technique prevents water intrusion and structural damage.

Lesson 3 • Mast Plumb, Alignment, and Guying

Teaches leveling masts, setting plumb with a spirit level, and installing guy wires for tall installations. Correct alignment is prerequisite to accurate antenna aiming.

Lesson 4 • Mounting Hardware and Mast Systems

Identifies J-mounts, chimney straps, eave mounts, and telescoping masts for various structural surfaces. Hardware selection determines installation stability and wind load resistance.

Lesson 1 • Splitter Placement and Signal Budgeting

Explains insertion loss of splitters and how to calculate total signal budget across a multi-outlet system. Correct splitter placement prevents weak signal at any outlet.

Lesson 2 • Distribution Amplifier Installation

Teaches selecting, placing, and powering distribution amplifiers to compensate for split and cable losses. Amplifier placement must precede splitting to maximize signal-to-noise ratio.

Lesson 3 • Wall Plates and Outlet Installation

Covers single and dual coaxial wall plate installation, box mounting, and labeling for professional finish. Neat outlet work reflects installation quality and aids future servicing.

Lesson 4 • Cable Entry Points and Weatherproofing

Covers drilling entry holes, installing grommets, and sealing penetrations against moisture and pests. Proper entry sealing is the first defense against building envelope damage.

Lesson 1 • Polarization and Antenna Stacking

Explains horizontal, vertical, and circular polarization matching and the use of stacked antennas for gain. Polarization mismatch causes significant signal loss that aiming alone cannot fix.

Lesson 2 • Antenna Aiming and Fine-Tuning

Teaches azimuth and elevation adjustment, incremental rotation, and locking the antenna at peak signal. Systematic fine-tuning ensures stable reception across all target channels.

Lesson 3 • Multipath Interference and Mitigation

Identifies ghosting and pixelation caused by reflected signals and applies directional and filtering solutions. Multipath is the most common cause of poor digital TV reception in urban areas.

Lesson 4 • Using Signal Meters and Analyzers

Covers operation of field strength meters, spectrum analyzers, and digital signal meters for live aiming. Meter readings guide incremental antenna adjustments for peak signal.

Lesson 1 • LNB Types and Installation

Identifies single, dual, quad, and universal LNBs and explains skew adjustment and feedhorn alignment. Correct LNB installation determines signal quality before any receiver tuning.

Lesson 2 • Dish Alignment and Peaking

Teaches azimuth, elevation, and skew adjustment using satellite finders and on-screen signal meters. Systematic three-axis alignment achieves maximum signal margin for reliable service.

Lesson 3 • Satellite TV System Overview

Introduces geostationary satellite orbits, transponder frequencies, and the role of each system component. Understanding satellite geometry is essential before any dish alignment work.

Lesson 4 • Receiver Setup and System Commissioning

Covers satellite receiver menu navigation, channel scanning, conditional access card insertion, and signal testing. Commissioning confirms the system meets service provider specifications.

Lesson 1 • Antenna and Mounting Hardware Faults

Covers inspection of corroded elements, bent booms, loose clamps, and shifted antenna orientation. Mechanical faults often cause gradual signal degradation that worsens with weather.

Lesson 2 • Test Equipment and Measurement Techniques

Covers multimeters, cable testers, signal meters, and spectrum analyzers used in fault diagnosis. Selecting the right instrument for each fault type accelerates accurate diagnosis.

Lesson 3 • Diagnosing Signal Loss and Degradation

Applies signal budget analysis and meter readings to locate the source of excessive signal loss. Systematic section-by-section testing isolates faults without unnecessary component replacement.

Lesson 4 • Interference Identification and Resolution

Identifies LTE, FM, and impulse interference sources and applies filters, shielding, and relocation to resolve them. Interference diagnosis requires distinguishing it from signal loss faults.

Lesson 1 • SMATV and Satellite Distribution Systems

Extends MATV principles to include satellite signal processing and IF distribution over coaxial networks. SMATV combines terrestrial and satellite signals for delivery to multiple units.

Lesson 2 • Quality Assurance and Inspection Readiness

Applies pre-inspection checklists, signal acceptance criteria, and self-audit methods to completed installations. Quality assurance prevents costly callbacks and supports professional reputation.

Lesson 3 • Professional Documentation and Handover

Covers as-built drawings, signal level reports, warranty documentation, and customer handover procedures. Complete documentation protects the installer and enables efficient future servicing.

Lesson 4 • Master Antenna TV System Design

Covers headend equipment, trunk amplifiers, and tap networks used in MATV systems for multi-dwelling units. MATV design requires balancing signal levels across dozens of outlets simultaneously.