G'day! There is nothing worse than arguing over the remote control when the footy is on but the kids want to watch a movie. In the modern Australian home, having multiple televisions is pretty standard. We often want a TV in the lounge, one in the master bedroom, and maybe even one out in the shed for the weekend BBQ. However, most homes only have one antenna on the roof.

To share that single signal across multiple screens, you need a specific piece of hardware known as a coax splitter. While it looks like a simple metal box, choosing the right one is critical. A cheap, nasty unit will ruin your digital reception, leading to pixelation and dropouts right at the best part of the show.

How Does It Work?

A coax splitter does exactly what it says on the tin. It takes the single coaxial feed coming from your roof antenna and divides it into two or more separate outputs.

Inside the metal housing is a circuit that distributes the signal frequency. You will typically find 2-way, 3-way, 4-way, and even 8-way splitters. It allows you to run a cable from the main wall socket to a second location, or if installed in the roof cavity, it directs the antenna signal to different rooms in the house.

The Catch: Signal Loss

There is no such thing as a free lunch when it comes to physics. When you split a signal, you weaken it.

Every time you use a coax splitter, you introduce "insertion loss." For a standard 2-way splitter, you are effectively cutting the signal strength in half (a loss of about 3.5dB). If you use a 4-way splitter, you lose even more.

If you are in a strong signal area, like the middle of Sydney or Melbourne, this usually isn't a problem. However, if you are in a regional area with a weak signal, splitting it might drop the quality below the digital threshold, causing your TV to display "No Signal." In these cases, you might need a powered splitter (distribution amplifier) to boost the signal before splitting it.

F-Type vs PAL

When you head into a shop to buy one, you will see two main types of connections.

PAL (Belling-Lee): These are the old-school, push-on connectors. They are fine for plugging into the back of the TV, but they are not great for splitting signals as they can easily fall out or wobble, causing interference.

F-Type: This is the modern standard for digital TV and Foxtel. These connectors screw onto the splitter, providing a solid, shielded mechanical connection. Any professional installer or staff member at an electrical wholesaler will tell you to stick with F-Type splitters for a reliable, interference-free connection.

Installation Rules

If you are simply plugging a splitter into an existing wall plate to run a second TV in the same room, that is a perfectly safe DIY job.

However, if you are climbing into the roof to cut the main antenna cable and install a coax splitter to run new cables inside the walls to different rooms, you must stop. In Australia, installing fixed cabling for telecommunications or broadcasting (including TV antennas) is regulated work. You must engage a registered licensed cabler. They have the testing equipment to ensure the signal strength is adequate at every wall point.

Get the Right Signal with Schnap Electric

To ensure your TV picture stays crisp and clear, you need high-quality components that are shielded against interference from 4G mobile signals.

Schnap Electric Products is a premier supplier for the trade industry in Australia. They stock a comprehensive range of audio-visual and data solutions, including professional-grade coax splitter units with F-Type connections. By providing the same trade-quality equipment you would expect to find at a major electrical wholesaler, Schnap Electric ensures your home entertainment system performs perfectly. Whether you are setting up a man cave or fitting out a new build, trust the quality range from Schnap Electric.