silly far-out there antenna question

[gearhead]

I've got an FM antenna mounted on my chimney.
A friend gave me a huge old FM antenna-and I started wondering...
...instead of a rotor, would it be feasible to mount the second antenna on the roof, pointing the opposite direction, and somehow combine the signals from the two into the coax?
Or would something in the real world outside my brain prevent this from working as well as in my imagination? :beatnik:

[boxoboom]

:yes: You can use a coupler combiner also known as a splitter ... used backwards .. It should work .. tho you may end up with some multipathing ... It really depends on the type of antenna you have ... if you have two directional Yagie's .. pointed in different directions you should be ok ... on the other hand if you have a omni directional T antenna ... and add a directional .. you could end up overloading the front end of the tuner .... If you really want gain, a antenna mounted preamp is the way to go ... :thmbsp:

Just my .02 worth

Steve

[SansuiSamRI]

If you're looking for the best reception, let us know if your chimney antenna is omnidirectional or directional. Same with your new antenna. How far is the station you want to get. Also are your antennas currently using twin lead or coax. All of these questions need to be understood before making a suggestion. Having two antennas feeding your tuner or receiver may be tricky depending on FM signals in your area.

[Punker X]

A splitter will reduce the signal theoretically by 3db which may make reception worse. An amp will also amplify noise. Using two antennas hooked at the same time may result in phasing problems and increase multipath noise. Getting a rotor I think would be a better solution. If you really want to run two antenna I either connect them manually or get a coax switch and only run one at a time.

X

[Dynacoman]

I seem to remember RS having a AB switch for coax that ran off a remote. Might want to check that out.

Jim

[jblmar]

Hi gearhead,
I have an extra remote A/B switch, if you need one. Would be perfect with two antennas. I use one to switch between 2 vcr decks. Offer good for all members as well.
Ron

[gearhead]

jblmar, thanks for the offer.
I can't use anything with a line-of-site remote, tho...
what have you got?

[jblmar]

Hi gearhead,
I have an A/B switch that you can connect 2 antenna to and switch between the two. You can orient two antenna to optomise reception. I used it to switch between two VCRs. Very good isolation. Infared wireless remote.
Ron

[Brian]

Another easy way out is a good old fashioned knife switch DPDT if using 300 ohm lead. You can mount it out of sight within easy reach or insight and play mad scientist.