Connections and Setup
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Connecting an Over-the-Air Antenna
To get the best possible digital signal reception, make sure you use the best over-the-air
antenna for where you live:
• You can receive a limited number of channels using a rabbit ears-type antenna on top
of the TV set, or a much larger number via a large UHF/VHF indoor/outdoor antenna.
• The higher the quality of the antenna you use, the greater its range and the better its
reception will be.
Digital OTA Broadcasts are Still Developing
• Broadcasters may still be testing the transmission of digital signals and their strength,
and may stop broadcasting without notice, vary power output, or turn it off.
• Some broadcasters do not yet have a permanent transmitter tower.
• Broadcasters may choose to multicast, which allows them to provide multiple
standard-definition channels in the same bandwidth used to provide a high-definition
channel.
These factors are outside of DISH Network's control.
Additional Installation Considerations
• Follow local and National Electric Code requirements for grounding the antenna.
• RG-6 coaxial cable is preferred for the O
VER-THE-AIR ANTENNA IN line. If you are
diplexing the O
VER-THE-AIR ANTENNA IN and SATELLITE IN cables, then RG-6 coaxial
cable must be used.
• You cannot use a diplexer to combine the O
VER-THE-AIR ANTENNA IN and SATELLITE IN
cables if you are using an amplified TV antenna.
• If you are using a diplexer to combine the TV2 Home Distribution signal of the receiver
and the O
VER-THE-AIR ANTENNA IN, you must use a Super Home Node to prevent
accidentally broadcasting the Home Distribution signal via the antenna.
If you have questions about over-the-air channels, contact the broadcasters, not DISH
Network. DISH Network does not broadcast over-the-air signals and so cannot do
anything to change over-the-air signal quality. However, when the optional over-the-air
tuner module is installed, the receiver's digital channel setup menus provide a signal
strength bar that can help you in aiming your over-the-air TV antenna for the strongest
possible signal.