Picking up and receiving over-the-air TV signals is a great way to get free TV channels with many stations available.
While many homes will often have one TV set up with an antenna, multiple TV sets can also share the same TV antenna.
Splitter and Amplifier Signal Booster Overview
A splitter or distribution box will be needed for the antenna signal to spread out to multiple TVs.
Signals can lose strength when more than one TV is using the same antenna, but this is easily fixed with an amplifier.
If you live close to the broadcast tower, a splitter with no booster may work, but in most cases, the signal will need to be amplified.
There are many stand-alone amplifiers and TV distribution amplifier boxes available.
For example, Channel Master has several popular units that split an incoming signal, boost it, and give outputs to multiple TVs.
Example Channel Master Distribution Amplifier for Up-to 4 TVs on Amazon
Channel Master Ultra Mini 4 TV Antenna Amplifier, TV Antenna Signal Booster with 4 Outputs for Connecting Antenna or Cable TV to Multiple Televisions (CM-3414),White
Standalone pre-amplifiers or signal boosters are also a good option when a standard splitter is used with no built-in amplifier.
Sometimes both a pre-amplifier and distribution amplifier are used to boost a signal that is far away from TV broadcast towers.
Example Winegard LNA-200TV Antenna Amplifier Signal Booster.
Winegard LNA-200 Boost XT HDTV Preamplifier, TV Antenna Amplifier Signal Booster, HD Digital VHF UHF Amplifier
Hooking up a distribution amplifier is the same as a splitter with an added power plug to boost the signal.
The coaxial line from the antenna is fed into the box along with power.
Each TV will have its own coaxial output to connect to a TV input.
How To Connect an Antenna to Multiple TVs
- Connect the antenna coaxial line to the input of the distribution amplifier or splitter.
- If the amplifier or splitter is a powered unit, connect the power.
- Connect each TV to one of the output coaxial lines on the distribution amplifier splitter.
- Re-scan each TV for over-the-air TV broadcast.
Can One TV Antenna Be Used for Multiple TVs?
Yes, one TV antenna can be used with multiple TVs by using a splitter or distribution box.
In some cases, a signal booster is needed since the signal can become weaker when it is split.
How Can I Send a TV Signal to Multiple TVs?
Using a splitter, the TV signal from the antenna is divided and can be sent to multiple TVs.
Be aware that as the TV signal is split, it can become weaker and need a booster installed along with the splitter.
How Many TVs Can an Antenna Support?
Theoretically, there is no limit to how many TV can be used, but since the signal becomes weaker every time it is split, there are limitations.
Multiple signal boosters can be used to boost the TV signal as it is split.
For example, if you have three TVs, each TV can have its own dedicated booster to improve the broadcast.
Do I Need an Antenna for Every TV?
No, multiple TV antennas are not needed, with one antenna able to provide a signal.
A TV antenna signal can be divided using a splitter and sent to multiple TVs.
Summary
Using one TV antenna for multiple TVs is easily done with the right setup.
If you live very close to broadcast towers, a normal splitter may be enough to get a good signal.
For most homes, a distribution amplifier box is usually used to not only split but boost a wireless TV signal.
If a home is very far from the broadcast towers, a pre-amplifier or booster can be used along with the amplifier box to get an even better signal.