How to Combine TV Antennas for Better Reception
Combining two or more TV antennas can be an effective way to improve your reception, especially if you live in an area where broadcast towers are in different directions or if you want to use separate antennas for VHF and UHF signals.
Before You Get Started
A multi-antenna setup is useful when a single TV antenna can't receive all the stations you want. This could be because:
- • The antenna doesn’t support the frequency band required for certain channels (UHF or VHF).
- • The broadcast is outside the antenna's beamwidth (the range an antenna can effectively pick up signals). Most TV antennas have a beamwidth of about 30°.
Before resorting to multiple antennas, many people try:
- • Omni-directional antennas – Designed to pick up signals from all directions, but often with weaker reception.
- • Multi-directional antennas – Can pull signals from multiple directions but may still have blind spots.
- • Rotators – A device that physically turns an antenna to face different broadcast towers.
Why Not Just Use a Rotator?
Rotators were once the go-to solution for picking up stations from different directions, but they have major downsides:
- • They control reception for all TVs in the house. If one person wants to watch a channel to the north while another wants a channel to the south, they can’t watch simultaneously.
- • Traditional TV rotators are no longer being manufactured. The only options left are HAM radio rotators, which are heavier and cost between $300-$400.
Why Combine Antennas?
Combining antennas offers greater flexibility. You can:
- • Pull in stations from multiple directions.
- • Optimize reception for both VHF and UHF frequencies.
- • Experiment freely—especially if you're a homeowner!
It’s Easier Than You Think
If you’re using two identical antennas and aiming them in different directions, you’re already halfway there. To combine them, all you need is a standard antenna splitter—used in reverse.
Most antenna splitters work “upside down” as combiners. If you prefer something designed specifically for this purpose, the Winegard combiner is a great choice. But honestly, a basic splitter will often work just as well.
Here’s a surprise:cheaper combiners often work better. Unlike amplifiers or filters, you don’t need high-end electronics here. In this rare case, skip the expensive stuff.
The Golden Rule: Identical Cables
The real key to successfully combining antennas isn’t the combiner—it’s the cables. For the best results, the cables from each antenna to the combiner must be exactly the same length, down to the millimeter.
Why? Physics. If the cables are different lengths, signals from both antennas will arrive out of sync, causing phase problems. This can actually degrade your reception, making it worse than using just one antenna.
To prevent phase issues:
- • Use the same type of coaxial cable for both antennas.
- • Cut cables from the same reel, if possible.
- • Use matching connectors.
- • Ensure precise, equal lengths.
This is exactly how our Xtreme Signal HDB8X works—it’s essentially two HDB4X antennas connected by a swing arm. The coax cables linking them are nothing special—just standard coax—but they’re identical in every way, which is what really matters.
What If You Want to Combine More Antennas?
This is where things get tricky. We don’t recommend stacking combiners.
For example, if your antenna already has a built-in combiner, don’t try to combine it again using a second combiner. This usually leads to major phase issues.
Instead, if you want to combine more than two antennas, use a larger splitter/combiner—like an 8-way splitter designed for antennas or cable TV. Just make sure all cables are the same length and type to keep the signal clean.
The Final Word
Combining antennas can give you the ultimate free TV setup. It’s an affordable, customizable solution that works if you pay attention to the details. And of course, whether you need a budget-friendly splitter or the most advanced antenna gear, Solid Signal has everything you need to get connected.