This is a guide to the essential tools for doing your own Digital TV antenna or cabling work. In this guide I will show you the types of tools I recommend. Most of these tools are generic, rather than brand name tools. Many of them you buy at local hardware stores like Bunnings, but some are more specialised and can only be found via electrical or antenna suppliers. You can also pick up lots of these tools on eBay, so I’ll provide links to relevant items and search results.
Disclosure: links to eBay items and searches pay a commission to this site at no extra cost to you.
RG6/RG59 Coaxial Cable Stripper
Three level coax strippersI recommend a 3 blade rotary coax stripper, suitable for RG6 and RG59. These tools will do a clean 3 level strip of either of the two common cable types in use for Digital TV. They work well for quad shield coaxial cable.
Any generic variety should be suitable. Choose a type with adjustment screws so you can adjust the cutting depths to the right level for your cable.
See the article How to Strip Coaxial Cable for info on how to use one.
Where to buy
You should be able to get a suitable RG6/RG59 Coax stripper from electrical suppliers or specialist antenna suppliers. You can also find a wide variety of these tools on eBay by searching “rotary rg6 rg59 stripper 3 blade”
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You can also get them as part of a kit a with a compression tool and RG6 compression F connectors by searching for “Compression Tool Kit F RG6”
Compression Tool
Compression ToolA compression tool is a lever based tool used to compress F connectors onto the end of an RG6 or RG59 cable. Cheap versions of this tool may only come with one adaptor, used for compressing F connectors. Better tools will come with a selection of different adaptors, including BNC, IEC and RCA. These can be useful if you plan to do any home theatre work and require custom made AV cables. For most people F only kits will be fine.
See the article How to put an F Connector on a Coax Cable for info on how to use it.
Where to buy
You can get a compression tool from some electrical suppliers or from specialist antenna suppliers. You can find them on eBay by searching for “rg6 rg59 compression tool”.
You can also get them as part of a kit a with a coax stripper and RG6 compression F connectors by searching for “Compression Tool Kit F RG6”
TV Signal Meter
Digital TV signal meters range from around $20 up to $10000. The cheap models just measure the signal level of all the channels together and allow you to determine when your antenna is facing the generally correct direction. More expensive models are used by professionals to check digital TV channel reception individually with a lot more diagnostic information.
In areas with good reception, aligning is pretty simple and you don’t really need one of these. See my DIY Antenna Alignment Methods article for details.
Where to buy
Unless you’re getting into professional antenna installation, just get a cheap type. You can pick them up at some electronics stores like Jaycar or on eBay by searching “DVB-T Finder”.
Electricians Pliers with Cutters
These large pliers with cutters are useful for cutting thick hard cables like RG6 Quad Shield Coaxial cable. They’re frequently used by electricians and they’re easy to find. They should have electrically isolated handles to keep you a bit safer from accidental electrocution if you cut a live wire. Check they meet Australian Standards for maximum safety.
Where to buy
Try hardware stores like Bunnings, electrical wholesalers, Jaycar or you can find them on eBay by searching for “electricians pliers”.
Side cutters
A small pair of side cutters, around 4″ or 10cm in size, is something useful to have for finer cuts and trims. I’ve personally always preferred the spring loaded variety, but you can get spring free ones or remove the spring if that’s your preference.
Where to buy
Try hardware stores like Bunnings, electrical wholesalers, Jaycar or you can find them on eBay by searching for “4.5” side cutters”.
Electricians Screwdrivers
A decent set of electrically isolated screwdrivers is very useful. The standard electrician consists of a size 1 Phillips head, size 2 Phillips head and 4 flat blade screw drivers. Sure you can probably get away with any old Phillips head and a flat blade, but a good set is always useful. Check for standards compliance in electrical isolation for maximum safety.
Where to buy
Try hardware stores like Bunnings, electrical wholesalers, Jaycar or you can find them on eBay by searching for “electricians screwdrivers”.
Plasterboard Jab Saw
Using a plasterboard jab sawA plasterboard jab saw is used to cut holes in plasterboard for wall plates. It’s a sharp pointed saw that easily cuts plaster. They’re pretty much essential if you need to install a new wall plate.
See the article on How to Install a Wall Plate to see how it’s used.
Where to buy
You can find plasterboard jab saws at Bunnings and other hardware stores, electrical suppliers or on eBay by searching for “plasterboard jab saw”.
Shifting Spanners
Shifting spanners are useful for installing antenna mounts as these use various sized hex headed bolts. I used to always carry a 200mm(8″) and a 150mm(6″) shifting spanner. Depending on kit, you’ll often need two spanners for tightening the bolts on a tripod antenna mount.
Where to buy
You can find shifting spanners at hardware stores like Bunnings, electrical suppliers or on eBay by searching for “shifting spanner”.
Cordless Drill
A good handheld cordless drill is an essential antenna installation tool. You don’t need a hammer mode, even for roof tiles, but it can be handy sometimes for brick walls and masonry. I’ve always used DeWalt 18V tools. Their new Lithium Ion battery tools work fantastically and definitely out perform cheaper generics. The DCD985 or DCD 995 should do the job well.
Where to buy
You can find DeWalt drill kits at hardware stores like Bunnings. You can usually order them through electrical wholesalers, or you can find them on eBay by searching for “dewalt cordless drill”.
Drill bits
Here’s my suggested bits(links go to eBay searches):
- DeWalt Metric Metal drill set – useful for general drilling, including holes for coach screws
- 8mm masonry bit – useful for drilling holes in roof tiles for tripod mounts
Where to buy
You can pick up drill bits at hardware stores like Bunnings, at electrical suppliers or on eBay(see the links above).
Caulking Gun
A caulking gun is used to squirt silicon into holes or anywhere else you need to apply silicon. It’s an essential tool if you’re installing a roof mount for your antenna. Any generic caulking gun should be fine, just check it’s for the standard size tubes. 230mm is the normal tube length.
Where to buy
You can find a caulking gun at any hardware store such as Bunnings, electrical suppliers or on eBay by searching for caulking gun.