Rarely does a family have just one TV at home these days. But there is usually only one antenna. To connect up to three TVs to one antenna, a special device is used - the so-called CRAB.
Instructions
Step 1
Purchase a CRAB appliance (Subscriber Household Cable Splitter) from a hardware store, which has one input and three outputs. Instead, you can buy a similar imported splitter. The most common among them are Polish and German.
Step 2
When choosing a splitter, pay attention to the upper limit of its frequency range. Cable operators today often, due to lack of space, use the highest frequency channels of the UHF range. Not every TV can tune in to them, and the manufacturers of splitters may not even be aware of the existence of these channels. The limits of the frequency range are usually indicated on the body of the device or in its instructions.
Step 3
Route the cables from all three TVs to the location of the fixture. Install antenna plugs at the ends of all cables on the TV side, but do not connect them to the TVs yet. It is very important that the plugs are not connected to any of their devices during installation, otherwise you may be shocked by the current passing through the noise suppression capacitors of their power supplies. Select the place of installation of the device so that the cable from the antenna can reach it.
Step 4
Connect cables to the CRAB itself, depending on its design. Some of them have sockets designed for connecting conventional plugs - then all cables must also be provided with plugs from the side of the splitter. Other devices (mainly German, Luxmann companies) are equipped with screw sockets. In this case, put a nut on the cable in advance and only then strip it. Then insert the center conductor into the hole of the screw socket, and then screw the nut so that the braid is pressed against the body by this nut. For a CRAB of classic design, remove the cover, then, depending on its model, solder the braids and central cores of the cables into the contact pads intended for them, or fix them with screws.
Step 5
In all cases, connect the cable from the antenna to the input jack or combination of terminals and the rest to the outputs.
Step 6
Connect the plugs to the TVs turned off from the network (if VCRs, players and other devices are connected to them, de-energize them too), and then plug them back in. Make sure that a good signal from the antenna is being sent to all three devices.
