Combining multiple preamplified antennas pointed in different directions.

[jasonmburns]

I bought the Xtreme Signal 8-Bay Bowtie Outdoor Antenna (HDB8X) along with the Xtreme Signal 4-Bay Bowtie Outdoor Antenna (HDB4X)

I am pointing the 8-bay antenna toward one city and the 4-bay antenna toward another city in the opposite direction. I have separate masts and am mounting these on separate sides of the house. I also bought two RCA Outdoor Preamplifier (TVPRAMP1R). I am putting one of these preamplifiers on each of these antennas. I was planning on putting one preamplifier directly after the built-in combiner on the 8-bay antenna. The other will come directly after the 4-bay antenna. Then I am going to be combining these two amplified signals into a Linear 2512 ChannelPlus DC & IR Passing 2-Way Splitter/Combiner using matching length RG-6 cables after the cables enter the house so I can put the power injectors to the RCA preamplifier before the combiner to keep them separate.

My first question is, do you think this is going to work?

My second question is, can I use one power injector after the combiner to power both RCA preamplifiers or should I keep them separate and power them before the combiner as previously planned?

My third question is, Do you think I should use only one preamplifier for both antennas after the combiner and run only one cable into the house? I know the preamplifier is supposed to be as close to the antenna as possible, so that is why I was intending on using two of them in the first place.

Thank you,
Jason

 

[Fringe Reception]

:welcome: Jason

A cardinal rule in combining same-band antennas follows: they must be identical. When antennas of different designs are combined, they tend to cancel or nullify each others collected signals for a number of reasons. Even when two antennas are identical, unless they are pointed in exactly the same direction, be prepared to accept received signal strengths reduced by at least 50%. The reason why only identical antennas can be combined, is because they have identical electrical qualities or 'behavior' including the same impedance at any given frequency.

We would like to see your free antenna survey to be able to make recommendations. It can be run here: http://www.tvfool.com/?option=com_wrapper&Itemid=29 Please use your actual address and the maximum height above ground level where you can mount your antenna, then post the resulting URL for us to study: that website will conceal your personal info for your safety.

Based on the report, we can decide which of your two antennas will work best for you and in which direction and if you need pre-amplifiers at all. It may be, that you need the two antennas you currently have but they will have to be on separate coaxial runs using an A--B switch. We look forward to your survey.

Jim and the DTVUSA Forum Staff

 

[Jim Navotney]

The better choice would be to buy a rotor and just use the 8 bay

Combining two antennas pointing in different directions can be problematic because of the phase difference between the signal the antennas receive.

It's common to get worse signals than using one antenna