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Stacking, Ganging, Combining TV Antennas

459K views 1K replies 202 participants last post by  holl_ands 
#1 ·
Cottager said:
I understand how adding a second antenna pointed in the same direction doubles the gain - that is a gain of 3 dB. What I don't understand is where the second 3 dB of gain comes from. How can a splitter become more efficient and go from introducing loss to adding gain?
When combining the signal from 2 antennas, there are signal reflections (both back to the originating antenna and to the other antenna) that result in a 3dB loss (plus any additional loss due to inefficiencies of the combiner). However, for reasons I don't totally understand, when the two antennas are pointing in the same direction these reflections end up canceling each other out and the 3dB loss ends up disappearing completely.
 
#2 ·
This is kind of a simplification of what happens and alot of stuff is left out but here goes.

When 2 signals meet together totally in phase from identical antennas you have 2 times the signal. For every doubling of the signal you gain 3db but due to cabling and combiner losses it will be somewhat less (2 - 2.5db typical).

If the signals meet out of phase there will be some sort of signal cancellation which could cut the signal by as much as half. Half the signal will be minus 3db and the combiner and cable losses still apply so it could be more like minus 3.5 - 4db. The max negative effect almost never happens with directional antennas because it would be difficult to get 2 identical signals coming from different directions with equal strength.

There is also the impedance mismatch to consider which could work for you or against you. When you combine 2 antennas the combined antenna impedance will be about half of what the antennas would be alone. Combining (2) 300 ohm antennas will give you 150 ohms where they combine not counting the interaction of the antennas due to their close proximity to each other. Most antennas are not a true 300 ohms across the whole TV band so there could be spots where the antennas are actually closer to 600 ohms which when combined together would give more than 3 db gain net and other places where it may be 100 ohms which it could make it almost nothing. That's one of the reasons if you look at the net gain curves of a 4221 and 4228 (which is just (2) 4221's stacked side by side) you will see there are spots where the 4228 isn't any better than a 4221 and other places where it's 3db or more better.
 
#3 ·
If the signals meet out of phase there will be some sort of signal cancellation which could cut the signal by as much as half.
There are a few flaws with this explanation. First of all, phase cancellation can cut the signal by more than one half. If the signals are equal strength and 180 degrees out of phase the signal would theoretically be cut completely. That is why when ganging two antennas together pointed in the same direction you need to make sure that the two antennas are in phase, otherwise you won't get any signal.

Having said that, phase canceling is not a significant factor when the antennas are pointing in different directions since the signal strengths from the two antennas for a given station will be significantly different. Assuming the signal from the desired antenna is at least 10dB stronger than the one on the other antenna (likely the case), the maximum possible signal loss due to phase canceling (i.e. 180 degrees out of phase) is about 0.5 dB. If the signals are less than 90 degrees out of phase, you will get positive interference and the signal will actually be stronger (though you may still have phase distortion, which could cause other problems).
 
#4 ·
There are a few flaws with this explanation. First of all, phase cancellation can cut the signal by more than one half. If the signals are equal strength and 180 degrees out of phase the signal would theoretically be cut completely. That is why when ganging two antennas together pointed in the same direction you need to make sure that the two antennas are in phase, otherwise you won't get any signal.
Not true ganging 2 identical antennas 180 degrees out of phase will result in a 2 lobe pattern with a gain near the same as a single antenna. If they are vertically stacked you will probably get some sort of weird radiation pattern but the signals would still not cancel.

If you were talking purely signals not antennas maybe they could cancel but there is way more that goes into it than that.

http://www.hdtvprimer.com/ANTENNAS/ganging.html

I've experimented with this and it works.
 
#5 ·
mclapp said:
Not true ganging 2 identical antennas 180 degrees out of phase will result in a 2 lobe pattern with a gain near the same as a single antenna.
You are forgetting that the path from the broadcast to receive antennas is part of the signal path that contributes to phase of the signal at the combiner. The reason for the 2 lobe pattern is in part due to the 2 antennas receiving the signal at slightly different times and resulting in a phase shift. Thus at those lobes, the signals are no longer out of phase. The exact position of the lobes is dependent on (among other things) the distance between the antennas and the wavelength of the signals received.

If you were talking purely signals not antennas maybe they could cancel but there is way more that goes into it than that.
I agree. Antenna theory is very complicated, and anything I am saying on here is a gross simplification.
 
#6 ·
You are forgetting that the path from the broadcast to receive antennas is part of the signal path that contributes to phase of the signal at the combiner. The reason for the 2 lobe pattern is in part due to the 2 antennas receiving the signal at slightly different times and resulting in a phase shift. Thus at those lobes, the signals are no longer out of phase. The exact position of the lobes is dependent on (among other things) the distance between the antennas and the wavelength of the signals received.
I know what you're saying since the antennas are not aimed directly at the transmitter the wave will strike one antenna before the other which creates a phase shift between antennas then the feed line phase shift will put them back in phase depending on distance between antennas and frequency (simply put).

To say that combining 2 antennas out of phase will result in no signal is only true in that there will be no signal somewhere in the reception pattern at a certain frequency.

To say that the signal could be cut by nearly half as I said is also not true in all situations either and as pointed out could be much more. I guess that's what happens when you try to simplify a complex situation :)
 
#7 ·
mclapp said:
I know what you're saying since the antennas are not aimed directly at the transmitter the wave will strike one antenna before the other which creates a phase shift between antennas then the feed line phase shift will put them back in phase depending on distance between antennas and frequency (simply put).
That is true. The net result of what I was originally trying to say is that if two identical antennas, pointing in the same direction are connected 180 degrees out of phase, there will be a null directly in front of the antennas that will theoretically completely cancel the signal (in practice there will be some leakage as nothing in real life is perfect).

There are some practical applications for this where you have two stations on the same channel interfering with each other, you can horizontally stack two antennas (in phase) to double the signal from the desired station and cancel out the undesired station. All you have to do is use some simple trigonometry to figure out how far apart the antennas need to be spaced to put the signals received from the undesired station 180 degrees out of phase.
 
#8 ·
you can horizontally stack two antennas (in phase) to double the signal from the desired station
Horizontal stacks present their own kinds of problems. A phasing line is the most efficient way of getting the most gain. But a horizontal phasing line acts like part of the antenna, thereby reducing the additional gain.

Excerpts from the June 1975 Issue Of ELECTRONIC TECHNICIAN/DEALER:

Stacking TV Antennas
By James E. Kluge
The author is a technical editor in the Engineering & Research Division of the Winegard Company.


VERTICAL STACKING

Stacking two identical antennas on a common vertical mast significantly narrows the vertical beam-width angle. That is, vertically stacked antennas more effectively reject those interfering signals arriving from above or below their horizontal plane than does a single antenna. It’s as though they were looking through a horizontal venetian blind. Because there’s nothing mounted to the side of either antenna, their side-to-side vision is virtually uneffected. In the process, gain increases about 2.5 dB over that of a single antenna.

Vertical stacking improves both gain and vertical directivity. This helps reduce airplane flutter and attendant picture roll, and certain types of ground noise and ground reflections.


HORIZONTAL STACKING

Stacking two identical antennas side by side in a horizontal plane (Fig. 3) significantly narrows the horizontal beam-width angle, as shown in Fig. 4. That is, the antenna combination, like a horse wearing blinders, "sees" fewer interfering signals arriving from the sides while its vision up and down (in a vertical plane) is virtually unaffected. In the process, gain increases approximately 1.2 dB over that of a single antenna.

The up and down (vertical) "vision" of a horizontal stack is comparable to that of a single antenna, but its side-to-side "vision" is more restricted.
 
#10 ·
300ohm, that is true and is why a CM4228 has a much narrower beam width than a CM4221. Of course the reason for this is that the two antennas are receiving the signals out of phase when not directly in front of the antenna, as I explained earlier. The side lobes on the 4228 (shown below) are caused in part by the signals getting back into phase again.





(pictures from HDTV Primer)
 
#11 ·
Interesting discussions. I stacked 4228's pointed at buffalo and added a 3rd pointed at Toronto.
When i fist connected the lower one, it interfered with the upper ones and I had some wierd effects. I had some channels too strong, and lost others. I played with aiming for a long time, before I realized all i had to do was lower the toronto antenna away from the others.
 
#12 ·
Full Wave of Separation

Yep, if you want to have 2 or more antennas that are not ganged or stacked and you need to reduce or eliminate effects of the antennas upon each other here's the formula (I used the term "identical" to respond to a question but this formula applies to non-identical antennas too that are not combined in any way):

http://www.digitalhome.ca/forum/showpost.php?p=726135&postcount=477
 
#13 ·
Interesting discussions. I stacked 4228's pointed at buffalo and added a 3rd pointed at Toronto.
When i fist connected the lower one, it interfered with the upper ones and I had some wierd effects. I had some channels too strong, and lost others. I played with aiming for a long time, before I realized all i had to do was lower the toronto antenna away from the others
Im confused. You tried to gang 3 4228's with one pointed in a different direction ?
 
#14 ·
yup, thats what works. Works good. :)

Maybe you're not familiar with my location. Toronto/hamilton stations are 23 & 45 miles, buffalo, 57 & 86 miles.

16 bowties face buffalo, 8 face toronto/hamilton. Somewhere around 40 degrees apart.
 
#16 · (Edited)
Not for everyone

Just a reminder that this thread is a discussion of the antenna theory behind combining antennas and the effects people are seeing in the real world & with computer modeling.
ppauper said:
specifically, what do folks recommend for combining 2 4228s ?
My specific answer is... "that all depends". ;) Combining antennas is only something you do under special situations, so see Posts #5 and #16 in the OTA FAQ to understand the situations and options that some people might have:

http://www.digitalhome.ca/forum/showpost.php?p=675713&postcount=16

If you have further questions after reading through that post we can continue discussing your specific situation in the Reception Results thread for your area.

cheers :)
 
#18 ·
I was going to post that site too, heh.

Note the "shape" of the yagi aperature, its a horizontal oval that extends beyond the reflectors.

Ive read that the aperature shape of a parabola is a circle that is LESS than the diameter of the parabolic reflector, go figure.

IMO, the aperature shape of the Grey Hoverman or Bow Tie antennas is a vertical oval that extends a little beyond the reflector.
 
#19 ·
Questions About OTA Antenna Stacking

I read through the FAQ's but didn't see any mention of this (unless I missed that part).:rolleyes:
I have 2 identical 4 Bay antennas (I wont mention the name for fear of ridicule !:)
I am planning to stack them facing the same direction.
In the FAQ's it talks about wiring the 2 antennas with equal lengths of 300 Ohm twin lead. My antennas have the baluns built into the back. Does this mean that I simply install 2 equal lengths of RG6 through a slitter ?
Because I am using 75 ohm cable, is there no phasing issue ?
Thanks
 
#20 · (Edited)
Post #16 in the FAQ is the one about combining antennas. I've edited that FAQ post to include the following:

To answer your questions, in your case you would:
  1. stack your antennas one above the other so that their reflectors touch
  2. combine their output with exactly equal lengths of RG6 into a reversed high quality splitter
  3. before nailing anything down permanently, test on an analogue station (easier to see the immediate results than trying for a digital station) to make sure your antennas are in phase
  4. if they are not, just switch the balun leads on only one of the antennas and test again.
It should be fine after that, and Bob's your uncle. :)
 
#35 ·
  1. stack your antennas one above the other so that their reflectors touch
  2. combine their output with exactly equal lengths of RG6 into a reversed high quality splitter
  3. before nailing anything down permanently, test on an analogue station (easier to see the immediate results than trying for a digital station) to make sure your antennas are in phase
  4. if they are not, just switch the balun leads on only one of the antennas and test again.
On the advice of my supplier, I stacked my CM4228 so that the bowties were about an inch apart. The reflectors overlap significantly. Is that OK?

One piece of RG6 is about an inch longer than the other, but the supplier said that was insignificant. Is that OK?

I saw absolutely NO difference after stacking. Is that a strong indicator that I have a phase problem? I check the orientation carefully before I connected them, but maybe it's not apparent unless you try it both ways...
 
#21 ·
Thanks Stampeder.
Since the balun box on each antenna appears to be sealed,I'm not sure how I could reverse the wiring to fix the phasing issue.
When you say "test on an analog station", are you suggesting that I try and tune in the strongest analog signal (then adjust the antenna)until I get the sharpest image....and if I cant get a reasonable picture they may be out of phase ?
With regards to this particular style of antenna,would the connection not be phased the same for each antenna at the factory?
Thanks
 
#22 ·
If you crack open those balun boxes you can always tape or glue them back together, or you could always just replace them with normal baluns. In your case you're right that the antennas are probably already in phase since they're duplicates. Just by habit I never assume that.

The reason for testing phasing on an analogue station is that you will see something immediately so that you have something to work with. It is not an aiming test in any way, except that they have to be oriented in such a way that an analogue signal will show up.

If you try to scan for digital stations right away, what if your antennas are out of phase? With no way of locking stations you might not realize what the problem is. I threw that in as a potential "gotcha" because someone might pull their hair out thinking the problem is something else.

As I say, with an analogue station you'll get it right almost immediately. :)
 
#25 ·
good idea on the phase test, but hows that going to work once all the analogs go away?

I measured signal strength on each antenna separately, then measured after they were conbined. When i obviously had more signal strength, i knew they were in phase.
 
#27 ·
1. when u stack 2 4-bay like a 4221 one above each other, does this setup have the same or better performance as a 8-bay like 4228? what is the reason behind stacking?

2. Can you place them next to each other instead of one above each other? does it make a difference? because a 8 bay 4228 is like two 4221 next to each other. am i right? :eek:

3. when u say the 2 reflectors need to be touched each other? does it need to be taped from top to bottom?
 
#28 ·
1. Stacking is a way of increasing the gain usually by about 2 or 3 dB over just the single antenna because the receiving patterns of the antennas join into one, and their focus is sharpened more to the horizontal than the vertical plane.
2. Side-by-side ganging is also a way of (hopefully) increasing gain, but it is very hard to get working properly. The CM4228 did it perfectly but many, many people have tried it with other antennas and failed.
3. You don't need to connect the reflectors, but if you want to you need to make sure it is with non-metallic material and something that will not degrade in the light and the weather.
 
#29 ·
Stacking four antennas is very easy. Just use identical lengths of 300Ω twinlead and observe correct phasing. Parallel them all together and attach to the 75Ω coaxial cable. You'll need to put a few ferrite rings at the end of the coax to keep the RF off the shield, but it should work perfectly.

If you do the same with only two antennas it won't work as well because there will be an impedance mismatch between the 2x 300Ω feeds (150Ω) and the coaxial cable (75Ω). This will represent a 2:1 VSWR which is lossy, albeit not 3dB lossy.
 
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