Need An Antenna Splitter Only

[tron3]

I need a splitter which will split an arial antenna signal to two HD TV's. I have an antenna/satelite splitter now and the tv receiving from the nub marked satelite doesn't get all the channels. The problem follows the feed and not the tv.

I saw the 5-900MHz splitters at the dollar store but I know it could cut off channel reception because of the lower frequency range. What kind of splitter do I need?

The story behind the need:

You probably all have seen that Time/Warner cable commercial. The "religious" Verizon guy is at the door telling him about "the fiber". With all the sweeping hand gestures and flashing lights in the air. Well, this weekend one of those guys shows up at my door!

Long story short, I was almost ready to sign up because I had been eyeballing that free 19" Sharp LCD tv. I needed to change my monitor out as it was over 7 years old. Well, after declining, it prompted me to run out and buy the $350 TV at 3.5% sales tax.

It fits perfecting in my computer desk hutch, and has allowed me to get rid of the speakers in favor of the tv speaker. Ultimately, that will be two LCD TV's hooked up to one computer. A 19" and 26". Geeze, I'm spoiled.

[Pictor]

If you only need to split an OTA signal then your splitter will be okay. If you're worried pick up a 5-1000Mhz splitter.

[tron3]

Originally Posted by Pictor

If you only need to split an OTA signal then your splitter will be okay. If you're worried pick up a 5-1000Mhz splitter.

That is what I am saying. The antenna/satellite splitter doesn't do the job.

Will 5-1000MHZ splitter give me all the local channels? I'm in the Northern NJ area and get great HD terrestrial reception from NY. I only need to split the HD UHF signal.

[ArkGuy]

I'm not sure what you may be trying to connect other than OTA HD. Do you also have cable? Satellite?

What you refer to as an "antenna/satellite spliter" may be a diplexer. If so, and if you only are trying to feed OTA to your RF inputs on your TV's, you need to ditch the diplxer and use a plain ol' splitter. The node marked "satellite" is probably only outputting signals in approximately the 950-2400 range and that's too high for UHF/VHF.

............................... TV 1's RF input
.............................../
Antenna >>>> splitter
...............................\
............................... TV 2's RF input


On the other hand, if you are also getting feed from a satellite, you need a multiswitch which has inputs for all the cables coming off the LNB's of the dish and a single input for your OTA antenna feed. THere are outputs sufficient for each room with a TV. When it comes through the wall, you need a diplexer in each room. The two outputs on the diplexer will be marked "TV" and "SAT." The former carries the 5-860 signal and the latter the 950-2400 signal. Screw the "TV" line into the RF inpuit on the TV and it will tune in OTA signals. If your TV has both digital and analog tuners, iti will tune in both if it can pull them in.

Screw the other line into the satellie decoder box.

If I've totally misunderstood your question, please pardon the interuption. However, it sounds like you have a diplexer where a plain old splitter needs to be. An easy mistake since they look about the same except for labeling. However, they perform different functions.

[bootman]

5-42MHz is what is considered the return band.
No off airs reside there due to noise also cable companies use it for narrow band return duties. (cable modem and digital STB return)

55-216Mhz is the traditional "off air" analog channels . (VHF)
470-806MHz is the traditional "off air" UHF channels which are now used for HDTV transitions.

Bottom line a 900Mhz splitter will cover you but get a 1gig so that you are away from the splitter's roll off point.

And yes, ArkGuy is right, you can't use a sat diplexer as a traditional splitter. The freqs are not the same on each leg.

[tron3]

Ark, just splitting the OTA antenna, nothing else. But I see I have my answer. I'll find a 1000MHz splitter. That should work. Thanks guys.

Now, will the regular 900 or 1000 MHz splitter combine two antenna signals?

[bootman]

Originally Posted by tron3

Ark, just splitting the OTA antenna, nothing else. But I see I have my answer. I'll find a 1000MHz splitter. That should work. Thanks guys.

Now, will the regular 900 or 1000 MHz splitter combine two antenna signals?

You can use a splitter as a combiner as long as the frequencies are different on each input.

[tron3]

Used the 900MHz splitter from the dollar store. Works like a charm.

Only the 50.x channels didn't tune in on the 19" Sharp. That's ok because even the Vizio is hit or miss on those stations, even without the splitter.

Terminator: TSCC on dual sets. How cool is that?!