Shure UA844+SWB Five-way Active Antenna Splitter & Power Distribution

In this review of the Shure UA844+SWB the bottom line is straightforward: it is for audio professionals who need to expand and power multiple Shure receivers from a single antenna pair while preserving RF performance. The UA844+SWB splits one pair of antennas to up to five receivers, amplifies the signal to offset insertion loss, and provides rack- and front-mounting hardware plus DC power feeds for compatible receivers. For sound engineers consolidating wireless rigs in a rack, its combination of active splitting and power distribution makes setup cleaner and helps maintain reliable RF across ULX, QLX-D, SLX and BLX4R systems.

Key Features

• Five-way active split: Splits a single pair of antennas to up to five receivers so multiple channels can share one antenna system without manual repatching.
• RF amplification: Built-in amplification compensates for insertion loss that occurs when dividing antenna signals to many outputs, helping to retain reception sensitivity.
• Power distribution: Includes four DC power feeds capable of delivering 15V at up to 2.5A each, which simplifies powering compatible receivers from the same unit.
• Antenna bias outputs: Provides DC outputs for antenna biasing at 12V, 300mA max, supporting active antennas that require bias voltage.
• Mounting flexibility: Ships with front-mount and rack-mount hardware so the unit can be installed in a rack or used in front-facing positions for easy access during live events.

Who It's For

The UA844+SWB is targeted at touring engineers, FOH rigs, houses of worship, and rental companies that run multiple Shure receivers and want to centralize antenna connectivity and power. It is particularly useful when space is limited in a rack and a tidy, single antenna system is preferred over multiple antenna runs.

Those who should look elsewhere include users with non-Shure receivers that do not accept the DC power outputs or very small setups that only need one or two receivers, where a passive splitter or direct connections would be simpler and less costly.

Pros & Cons

Pros

• Active splitting with amplification keeps RF levels consistent across up to five receivers, reducing degradation from splitting.
• Integrated DC power feeds simplify wiring and eliminate separate power bricks for supported receivers.
• Front-mount and rack-mount hardware give installers flexibility for different rack configurations and stage setups.

Cons

• Designed for Shure QLX-D, ULX, ULX-D, SLX and BLX4R systems, so mixed-brand environments may not benefit from the power distribution features.
• The LC option omits antenna cables, requiring purchase or use of receiver-supplied antenna leads in some setups.

Specifications

Model Number	UA844+SWB
Split Outputs	Five receivers per system
DC Power Feeds	Four outputs, 15V, 2.5A max each
Antenna Bias Outputs	12V, 300mA max
Mounting	Front-mount and rack-mount hardware included
Compatibility	Shure QLX-D, ULX, ULX-D, SLX and BLX (BLX4R only)

Our Verdict

The Shure UA844+SWB is a practical and reliable choice for professionals who need to expand a single antenna pair to multiple Shure receivers while keeping RF performance and simplifying power distribution. It represents good value for rental houses and touring rigs that use supported Shure systems and want cleaner rack wiring and consistent reception across channels.

Frequently Asked Questions

How many receivers can one UA844+SWB support?
One UA844+SWB supports up to five receivers; up to five units may be stacked in a two-tiered configuration if further expansion is required.

Does it provide power for receivers?
Yes, it includes four DC power feeds rated at 15V and up to 2.5A each for compatible receivers.

Are antenna cables included?
The UA844+SWB ships with antenna connections; the UA844+SWB/LC option ships without antenna cables and relies on receiver-supplied BNC-BNC leads for connection.