STA-300 (310-1991) Installation Faxback Doc. # 8005 Caution: Do not plug in or turn on the receiver until after you connect speakers, sound sources, and antennas. CONNECTING SPEAKERS The receiver is designed to use two speakers, each with an impedance of at least 8 ohms. Positioning Speakers For best stereo effect, place the speakers so that the distance between the speakers is about the same as the distance between the central listening point and the point halfway between the speakers. If the speakers are far apart, you might want to angle the speakers inward toward the general listening point. Connecting Speaker Wire Use 18-gauge speaker wire if the speakers are within 25 feet of the receiver. Use 16-gauge speaker wire if the speakers are more than 25 feet from the receiver. For best results, use only the length of wire necessary to connect the speakers. Follow these steps to connect speaker wire. 1. Cut the length of each speaker wire you need to connect each speaker to the receiver. 2. Separate about 4 inches of the conductors at each end of the wire. 3. Use a wire stripper to remove about 1/4 inch of insulation from the end of each conductor. Then, twist each conductor. 4. Connect one end of each speaker wire to the terminals on the left and right speaker. Caution: Be sure stray wire strands from one speaker terminals do not touch an adjacent terminal. 5. Connect the other end of the speaker wire to the receiver's corresponding SPEAKERS L and R terminals by pressing down each terminal's tab, inserting the conductor, and releasing the tab. Be sure the conductors you connect to the speaker's negative and positive terminals are connected to the receiver's corresponding negative and positive terminals. Speaker wire is usually color-coded or marked to help you correctly connect the conductors. Note: Some speakers are marked with + and -. Others have a mark or dot next to the positive terminal and no mark for the negative terminal. CONNECTING SOUND SOURCES You can connect up to three sound sources to your receiver, including a turntable, a tape deck, and a CD player or other line-level sound source with audio outputs. For all connections, use only shielded audio cable with phono connectors (not supplied). Your local Radio Shack/Tandy store sells the required cable. Connecting a Turntable Use a turntable with a magnetic cartridge. Connect the turntable's left and right output jacks to the receiver's corresponding L and R PHONO jacks. Then, connect the turntable's ground wire to the receiver's GND terminal. Connecting a Tape Deck Connect the receiver's TAPE OUT jacks to the tape deck's input jacks. Then connect the tape deck's output jacks to the receiver's TAPE IN jacks. Connecting a CD Player or Other Source You can connect a CD player, a TV, a VCR, or any other source with audio outputs to the receiver. Connect the source's left and right audio outputs to the receiver's corresponding L and R CD/AUX jacks. Note: The receiver's TAPE IN jacks and CD/AUX jacks are identical in function, so you can use either pair to connect a tape deck, CD player, or other line-level sound source with audio outputs. CONNECTING ANTENNAS The supplied AM loop antenna and FM line-cord antenna usually provide adequate reception around cities. However, to improve reception or if you live in a remote area, you might want to connect external antennas. The supplied FM line-cord antenna (AC power cord) is connected to the receiver at the factory. To connect the AM loop antenna, snap the antenna into the receiver's antenna holder. Then, attach the antenna's wires to the receiver's AM and GND terminals. Note: If there is not enough room to install the antenna behind the receiver, you can hang the antenna near the receiver. After you connect the AM loop antenna, adjust it for the best reception. Connecting an External AM Antenna To improve AM reception, you can make an outdoor AM antenna to connect to your receiver. Your local Radio Shack store sells a shortwave antenna kit that includes all the parts you need. Follow these steps to connect an AM antenna. 1. If necessary, disconnect the AM loop antenna from the receiver's antenna holder. 2. Connect the wire from the external AM antenna to the receiver's AM terminal. 3. Use a third piece of wire to connect the receiver's AM GND terminal to an earth ground, such as a metal cold water pipe. Connecting an External FM Antenna For improved FM reception, you can use one of the following: TV rabbit ears (for indoor use only) Outdoor VHF/UHF TV antenna Separate outdoor FM antenna Before you connect an external FM antenna, disconnect the FM line-cord antenna from the receiver's FM terminal. Warning: When you install or remove any outdoor 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, 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 do it yourself. Using Your TV Antenna If you plan to use your TV's outdoor antenna, you need a VHF/UHF/FM signal splitter, available at your local Radio Shack store. Connect the TV's antenna wire to the splitter. Connect the splitter's output(s) to your TV's antenna terminal(s). Then, use 300-ohm twin-lead to connect the splitter to the receiver's 300-ohm terminals. Using an Outdoor FM Antenna For best reception from an outdoor antenna, use 75-ohm coaxial cable as antenna wire. If the antenna wire is 300-ohm twin-lead, connect it to the receiver's FM 300-ohm terminals. If the antenna wire is 75-ohm coaxial cable, follow these steps to connect it to the receiver. 1. Use a wire stripper to remove about 1 inch of the cable's outer insulation. This exposes the cable's shielding. Then, if possible, fold back the shielding over the outer insulation. 2. Use a wire stripper to remove about 3/4 inch of the inner insulation. This exposes the inner wire. 3. Insert the end of the cable through the GND terminal's metal clamp and connect the cable's center wire to the receiver's 75-ohm terminal. Then, secure the clamp. Caution; Be sure the shielding touches only the GND terminal. CONNECTING THE RECEIVER TO POWER Carefully check all connections. Then, plug the receiver's power cord into an AC outlet. The power cord's plug is polarized and fits only one way. Warning: The receiver's power cord has a polarized plug. To prevent electric shock, do not use an extension cord or other receptacle unless the plug's blades can be fully and easily inserted. (LB/all-08/23/94)