Radio Shack VU-190XR Information Sheet

15-2156

Outdoor

HDTV Antenna

Assemble the entire antenna on the ground.

1.

Use the supplied hardware to assemble the two main 

boom sections, as shown. If necessary, lift one end 

of the main boom so the crossover wires reach the 

threaded posts.

Note: To access slots or holes during assembly, move the 

antenna’s elements out of the way as needed.

2.

Use the supplied hardware to loosely attach one of the 

supplied mast clamp assemblies to the main boom, as 

shown.

3.

Attach the other mast clamp assembly to the cradle 

boom. (Be sure it faces the same direction as the main 

boom’s mast clamp assembly, shown in step 2 above.) 

Fold out the two sets of metal support straps on the 

cradle boom and attach them to the corresponding 

holes on the main boom using the two supplied 1½-inch 

screws and large wing nuts.

4.

Press the supplied large end plugs into the main boom 

and the cradle boom.

5.

Pull the UHF bowtie’s two halves away from the main 

boom until they lock into place. Then slide each half’s 

unattached end over one of the antenna’s lead-in 

terminals (one for each half of the UHF bowtie on each 

side of the boom).

Note:  Both sections of the UHF/VHF isolation network 

should remain parallel to the main boom.

We recommend RG-6 cable and, if you prepare your own 

cable, a quality F-connector. (RadioShack carries a variety of 

suitable cables and connectors.)

Note:  If you prepare your own coaxial cable, be sure to 

slide the supplied matching transformer’s weather boot 

onto the cable before you attach the F-connector.

1.

Thread the supplied matching transformer’s spade 

terminals through the antenna’s strain-relief tab.

2.

Slide the spade terminals around the antenna’s lead-in 

terminals (on both sides of the boom), then secure them 

with the supplied flat washers and large wing nuts.

3.

Screw the cable’s F-connector onto the matching 

transformer.

4.

Slip the weather boot over the connection. If you 

use a rebuilt cable without a weather boot, cover the 

connection with weather-resistant tape.

Thank you for purchasing your Outdoor HDTV Antenna 

from RadioShack. Please read this user’s guide before 

installing, setting up, and using your new product.

What’s Included

Antenna Main Booms (2)

Cradle Boom (1)

Wing Booms (2) 

Wing Boom Brackets (2)

Mast Clamps (2) 

Mast Clamp Backup Plates (2)

Large End Plugs (4)

Small End Plugs (2)

Large Wing Nuts (8)

Small Wing Nuts (5)

1½-inch Screws (5) 

1

1

/

4

-inch Screws (4)

Lock Nuts (4)

Flat Washers (4)

Matching Transformer

U-Bolts (2) 

User’s Guide 

Warning Label

Consumer Product Safety Commission information sheet

Note: Additional small parts may be included in your package.

Specifications

Impedance ................................................................. 300 ohms

Frequency Range......................VHF 54-108 and 174-216 MHz

................................................................................UHF 470-806

Average Gain ................................................. 4.1dB (low band)

........................................................................7.3dB (high band)

dB (high band)

(high band)

........................................................................8.0dB (UHF band)

dB (UHF band)

(UHF band)

Average Beamwidth .......................................... 74° (low band)

° (low band)

 (low band)

............................................................................48° (high band)

° (high band)

 (high band)

............................................................................39° (UHF band)

Average front to back ratios: ...................... 16.6dB (low band)

......................................................................14.5dB (high band)

......................................................................13.5db (UHF band)

Specifications are subject to change and improvement 

without notice. Actual product may vary from the images 

found in this document.

Limited Warranty

This product is warranted by RadioShack against manufacturing defects in material 

and workmanship under normal use for ninety (90) days from the date of purchase from 

RadioShack company-owned stores and authorized RadioShack franchisees and dealers. 

EXCEPT AS PROVIDED HEREIN, RadioShack MAKES NO EXPRESS WARRANTIES AND ANY 

IMPLIED WARRANTIES, INCLUDING THOSE OF MERCHANTABILITY AND FITNESS FOR A 

PARTICULAR PURPOSE, ARE LIMITED IN DURATION TO THE DURATION OF THE WRITTEN 

LIMITED WARRANTIES CONTAINED HEREIN. EXCEPT AS PROVIDED HEREIN, RadioShack

SHALL HAVE NO LIABILITY OR RESPONSIBILITY TO CUSTOMER OR ANY OTHER PERSON 

OR ENTITY WITH RESPECT TO ANY LIABILITY, LOSS OR DAMAGE CAUSED DIRECTLY 

OR INDIRECTLY BY USE OR PERFORMANCE OF THE PRODUCT OR ARISING OUT OF 

ANY BREACH OF THIS WARRANTY, INCLUDING, BUT NOT LIMITED TO, ANY DAMAGES 

RESULTING FROM INCONVENIENCE, LOSS OF TIME, DATA, PROPERTY, REVENUE, OR 

PROFIT OR ANY INDIRECT, SPECIAL, INCIDENTAL, OR CONSEQUENTIAL DAMAGES, 

EVEN IF RadioShack HAS BEEN ADVISED OF THE POSSIBILITY OF SUCH DAMAGES.

Some states do not allow limitations on how long an implied warranty lasts or the exclusion 

or limitation of incidental or consequential damages, so the above limitations or exclusions 

may not apply to you.

In the event of a product defect during the warranty period, take the product and the 

RadioShack sales receipt as proof of purchase date to any RadioShack store. RadioShack

will, at its option, unless otherwise provided by law: (a) correct the defect by product repair 

without charge for parts and labor; (b) replace the product with one of the same or similar 

design; or (c) refund the purchase price. All replaced parts and products, and products on 

which a refund is made, become the property of RadioShack. New or reconditioned parts 

and products may be used in the performance of warranty service. Repaired or replaced 

parts and products are warranted for the remainder of the original warranty period. You 

will be charged for repair or replacement of the product made after the expiration of the 

warranty period.

This warranty does not cover: (a) damage or failure caused by or attributable to acts of God, 

abuse, accident, misuse, improper or abnormal usage, failure to follow instructions, improper 

installation or maintenance, alteration, lightning or other incidence of excess voltage or 

current; (b) any repairs other than those provided by a RadioShack Authorized Service 

Facility; (c) consumables such as fuses or batteries; (d) cosmetic damage; (e) transportation, 

shipping or insurance costs; or (f) costs of product removal, installation, set-up service 

adjustment or reinstallation.

This warranty gives you specific legal rights, and you may also have other rights which vary 

from state to state.

RadioShack Customer Relations

300 RadioShack Circle, Fort Worth, TX 76102                                               12/99

www.radioshack.com

Before You Begin

Before you begin installation, read this manual and the separate Consumer Product Safety Commission information sheet. For your safety and convenience, plan each step of the installation 

and purchase the necessary hardware in advance. The hardware required and the order in which you perform the steps depend on the mounting and connection method you choose. 

Warning: When you install your antenna, use extreme caution. If the antenna starts to fall, let it go! It could contact overhead power lines. If the antenna touches the power line, any contact with 

the antenna, mast, cable, or guy wires can cause electrocution and death. Call the power company to remove the antenna. Do not attempt to remove it yourself.

1½-Inch

Screws

Large Wing Nuts

Crossover

Wires

Threaded

posts

Splint

Flat

Washers

Large Wing Nuts

U-Bolt

Main Boom

Backup Plate

Lock Nuts

Mast Clamp

Step 1:  Assemble the Antenna

Metal

Support 

Straps

Main Boom

Cradle Boom

Mast Clamp 

Assemblies

Metal

Support 

Straps

UHF Bowtie

Lead-In Terminal

UHF/VHF

Isolation

Network

Step 2:  Connect Coaxial Cable to the Antenna

Lead-In Terminal

Spade Terminal

Strain Relief Tab

Matching

Transformer

F-Connector

Main

Boom

Spade

Terminal

Large Wing 

Nuts

Flat

Washers

Weather 

Boot

Lead-In Terminal

©2008.

RadioShack Corporation. 

All rights reserved. 

RadioShack and RadioShack.com are trademarks used by RadioShack Corporation.

10A08

15-2156

Printed in the USA