Stacking, Ganging, Combining TV Antennas - Page 56 - Canadian TV, Computing and Home Theatre Forums

roger1818 · 2012-04-30, 12:43 AM

It depends how strong, but it should be fine. The thing about Yagies is from the side the reflector and directors don't have any affect, so it behaves like a folded dipole would from that angle.

takeaim · 2012-05-15, 09:36 AM

is it possible to amplify one antenna and then combine it with a 2nd antenna?

i'm looking to amp an antenna towards buffalo and then combine with an antenna towards toronto. or should i just combine the antennas and then amp that combined signal because amping just one will cause issues as far as phase etc?

thanks

roger1818 · 2012-05-15, 11:51 AM

^^^In general this is a bad idea. The antenna you have pointed towards Buffalo will also receive signals from Toronto at a reduced level. The amplifier will likely boost these signals enough to interfere with the un-amplified signals from the other antenna.

takeaim · 2012-05-15, 12:02 PM

ok, so best to just combine the antennas and then add the pre-amp at that point and thus boost both, right?
thanks

roger1818 · 2012-05-15, 01:51 PM

Yes, that would be better, though not without its own disadvantages.

totallyr · 2012-06-03, 06:29 PM

Hi all, i'm planning on placing two 91XG OTA antennas on a dormer on my roof, the dormer is a fair size. One antenna will be used for my living room the other for my bedroom, i was wondering how far apart i should space them from each other so there is no interference. Also i have an FM yagi that is a fair size, how far should it be away from the 91XG antennas, thanks.

nbound-au · 2012-06-04, 09:45 AM

Why not use one 91XG and split/amplify?

totallyr · 2012-06-04, 11:33 AM

I would be splitting to 3 tv's then as 1 of the antennas will be going to 2 tv's

nbound-au · 2012-06-05, 04:21 AM

Use a pre-amp or spltter amp if required. But you'll only be taking a 1.5dB hit vs two outlets, which isnt likely to be a problem (unless you have some borderline stations).

roger1818 · 2012-06-05, 11:04 AM

^^^Agreed. A pre-amp's primary job is to amplify the signal where the signal is strongest (at the antenna). After the pre-amp, splitter loss is irrelevant. You do need to choose your pre-amp wisely, as they are not a one size fits all (see the amplifier thread for details).

Mark_OB1 · 2012-06-05, 02:54 PM

totallyr,

not only is there the expense of buying two antennas (and mounts!), but the time to install them both. Plus two separate coax feedlines. And two ground drops. That's a lot of overhead, especially unnecessary if both antennas are aimed the same.

Installing a preamp at just a single antenna will not only provide enough signal for you to divide it several times to distribute to multiple TVs (after you get the single coax into the house), but also overcome the loss of your cable run, which could be significant on the upper UHF channels.

stampeder · 2012-06-05, 09:46 PM

Yep, this raises the point of why we typically stack or gang antennas, which is for specific gain or aim requirements.

In totallyr's case a single antenna should do just fine with the proper network of amplification (and attenuation as needed) and splits.

totallyr · 2012-06-05, 10:32 PM

Thanks guys and i'm taking the advice on going with 1 antenna plus the preamp, now i have to figure out how to turn the rotor on the telivision that doesn't have the degrees led display and the remote. Other than that i'm all set, glad i came for advice, saved some money and a probable rooftop eyesore, lol.

roger1818 · 2012-06-06, 01:21 PM

^^^One option is to get an IR to RF extender (or an RF universal remote).

totallyr · 2012-06-06, 02:08 PM

I have this Powermid transmitter and receiver from years ago, i'll give it a whirl

2012-04-30, 12:43 AM	#826
roger1818 Veteran Join Date: Apr 2006 Location: Ottawa (Stittsville), ON, OTA (Radio Shack Omnidirectional Antenna and 5Y6S in Attic), MythTV HTPC Posts: 5,619	It depends how strong, but it should be fine. The thing about Yagies is from the side the reflector and directors don't have any affect, so it behaves like a folded dipole would from that angle. __________________ Link to my TVFool results is in my profile Homepage URL. I suggest others do the same.

2012-05-15, 11:51 AM	#828
roger1818 Veteran Join Date: Apr 2006 Location: Ottawa (Stittsville), ON, OTA (Radio Shack Omnidirectional Antenna and 5Y6S in Attic), MythTV HTPC Posts: 5,619	^^^In general this is a bad idea. The antenna you have pointed towards Buffalo will also receive signals from Toronto at a reduced level. The amplifier will likely boost these signals enough to interfere with the un-amplified signals from the other antenna. __________________ Link to my TVFool results is in my profile Homepage URL. I suggest others do the same.

2012-05-15, 01:51 PM	#830
roger1818 Veteran Join Date: Apr 2006 Location: Ottawa (Stittsville), ON, OTA (Radio Shack Omnidirectional Antenna and 5Y6S in Attic), MythTV HTPC Posts: 5,619	Yes, that would be better, though not without its own disadvantages. __________________ Link to my TVFool results is in my profile Homepage URL. I suggest others do the same.

2012-06-03, 06:29 PM	#831
totallyr Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: Hamilton Ontario Posts: 82	Spacing between Antennas? Hi all, i'm planning on placing two 91XG OTA antennas on a dormer on my roof, the dormer is a fair size. One antenna will be used for my living room the other for my bedroom, i was wondering how far apart i should space them from each other so there is no interference. Also i have an FM yagi that is a fair size, how far should it be away from the 91XG antennas, thanks.

2012-06-05, 11:04 AM	#835
roger1818 Veteran Join Date: Apr 2006 Location: Ottawa (Stittsville), ON, OTA (Radio Shack Omnidirectional Antenna and 5Y6S in Attic), MythTV HTPC Posts: 5,619	^^^Agreed. A pre-amp's primary job is to amplify the signal where the signal is strongest (at the antenna). After the pre-amp, splitter loss is irrelevant. You do need to choose your pre-amp wisely, as they are not a one size fits all (see the amplifier thread for details). __________________ Link to my TVFool results is in my profile Homepage URL. I suggest others do the same.

2012-05-15, 09:36 AM	#827
takeaim Join Date: Nov 2006 Posts: 363	is it possible to amplify one antenna and then combine it with a 2nd antenna? i'm looking to amp an antenna towards buffalo and then combine with an antenna towards toronto. or should i just combine the antennas and then amp that combined signal because amping just one will cause issues as far as phase etc? thanks

2012-05-15, 12:02 PM	#829
takeaim Join Date: Nov 2006 Posts: 363	ok, so best to just combine the antennas and then add the pre-amp at that point and thus boost both, right? thanks

2012-06-04, 09:45 AM	#832
nbound-au Join Date: May 2012 Location: Australia Posts: 40	Why not use one 91XG and split/amplify?

2012-06-04, 11:33 AM	#833
totallyr Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: Hamilton Ontario Posts: 82	I would be splitting to 3 tv's then as 1 of the antennas will be going to 2 tv's

2012-06-05, 04:21 AM	#834
nbound-au Join Date: May 2012 Location: Australia Posts: 40	Use a pre-amp or spltter amp if required. But you'll only be taking a 1.5dB hit vs two outlets, which isnt likely to be a problem (unless you have some borderline stations).

2012-06-05, 02:54 PM	#836
Mark_OB1 Join Date: Sep 2011 Location: SW Michigan, http://www.tvfool.com/?option=com_wrapper&Itemid=29&q=id%3d1dda0093f11cf4 Posts: 31	totallyr, not only is there the expense of buying two antennas (and mounts!), but the time to install them both. Plus two separate coax feedlines. And two ground drops. That's a lot of overhead, especially unnecessary if both antennas are aimed the same. Installing a preamp at just a single antenna will not only provide enough signal for you to divide it several times to distribute to multiple TVs (after you get the single coax into the house), but also overcome the loss of your cable run, which could be significant on the upper UHF channels.

2012-06-05, 09:46 PM	#837
stampeder OTA Forum Moderator Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: North Delta, BC (96Av x 116St) Posts: 23,338	Yep, this raises the point of why we typically stack or gang antennas, which is for specific gain or aim requirements. In totallyr's case a single antenna should do just fine with the proper network of amplification (and attenuation as needed) and splits.

2012-06-05, 10:32 PM	#838
totallyr Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: Hamilton Ontario Posts: 82	Thanks guys and i'm taking the advice on going with 1 antenna plus the preamp, now i have to figure out how to turn the rotor on the telivision that doesn't have the degrees led display and the remote. Other than that i'm all set, glad i came for advice, saved some money and a probable rooftop eyesore, lol.

2012-06-06, 01:21 PM	#839
roger1818 Veteran Join Date: Apr 2006 Location: Ottawa (Stittsville), ON, OTA (Radio Shack Omnidirectional Antenna and 5Y6S in Attic), MythTV HTPC Posts: 5,619	^^^One option is to get an IR to RF extender (or an RF universal remote). __________________ Link to my TVFool results is in my profile Homepage URL. I suggest others do the same.

2012-06-06, 02:08 PM	#840
totallyr Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: Hamilton Ontario Posts: 82	I have this Powermid transmitter and receiver from years ago, i'll give it a whirl

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