How to Use 2 TVs on One Antenna

Install a coaxial cable splitter to use one TV antenna feed for two television sets.

Use one "over-the-air" outdoor television antenna to feed two TV sets by installing a coaxial cable "splitter" device. The strength of the television signal will drop when you divide the antenna feed with a splitter, so you may need a preamplified television antenna to boost the signal, particularly in poor reception areas. You can't use a splitter on a satellite dish antenna system, unless each TV has its own tuner attached to the dish signal feed.

Things You'll Need

• Splitter
• RG-6 coaxial cable
• Cable connectors
• Power drill
• Cable clamps or ties

Instructions

1. Survey your antenna system and decide where on the coaxial down lead to install the splitter. This is usually indoors, near the entry point of the existing incoming coaxial cable.

2. Calculate how much coaxial cable you will require to run an additional lead from the splitter to the second TV set.

3. Unplug the existing incoming coaxial cable from your main TV set or digital TV converter box.

4. Attach the coaxial cable splitter to the wall, using the supplied screws.

5. Connect the existing incoming coaxial cable to the "Input" jack on the splitter.

6. Install a new run of coaxial cable from the splitter to the site of the second TV set. Use a power drill to make passage holes for running the cable through walls, floors and ceilings. Use the shortest possible run of cable and avoid sharp bends. Secure the coaxial cable with cable clamps every three feet.

7. Attach coaxial cable connectors to each end of the new run of coaxial cable.

8. Plug the new cable into a free "Output" jack on the splitter. Attach the other end of the new cable to the antenna input socket on the second TV set.

9. Install a short run of coaxial cable from the splitter to your main TV set. Connect one end to the antenna input of the main TV set and the other end to the second "Output" jack on the splitter device.

Tips & Warnings

• Buy a high-quality splitter that balances the divided TV signal equally between outputs.

• Never split the signal from a preamplified TV antenna before it reaches the preamplifier's power unit. This may lead to complete signal loss.

References

• HDTV Primer: Glossary, Coaxial Cable Splitters
• Channel Master: Splitters
• Corner Hardware: Splitting and Extending a Coaxial Cable Line

Resources

• Read this Article in Spanish
• Antenna Web: Maximize Your Television Reception