Can You Combine Two Or More Antennas?
If you’ve tried all of the TV antenna tips you can think of and are still struggling with poor reception at home, the solution might be easier than you realize. By combining two or more antennas and getting the reception from both directions, you can hopefully solve the problem.
Most people assume that your TV can only operate with the one antenna and so they put up with a lifetime of poor signals and subpar quality on their screen. Rather than investing in a super expensive new antenna or getting yourself a brand new TV, you might be able to fix this problem in a much simpler way.
This solution is actually a lot easier than most people think and it’s an easy way for how to get better reception on TV antennas without spending too much money. All you need is the right supplies and a little bit of know-how, and you could be well on your way to better reception in a matter of minutes.
Can You Combine Two Antennas To One?
Antennas are seemingly tricky devices but ones that operate a lot easier than most realize. Whether you’re trying to learn how to connect multiple TVs to one antenna or multiple antennas to one TV, all it takes is some patience and planning and you could get everything you need.
The steps for combining two antennas into one coax re pretty simple to follow, with a rough outline here:
- Get on the roof and find out where the antennas are located. Figure out the distance that they need to be separated depending on their frequency and location
- Secure the antennas on the roof by placing one in the center and the other directly on top of it with the correct distance in between them. When in doubt, you can usually find this information in the instruction manual that came with your antenna
- Get your coaxial cable and connect it to both antennas, then run the cable to coaxial signal combine so you can connect them both. This will ensure you split the signal between them
- Run a coaxial cable to your TV from the signal combiner and repeat for any cables that need to be done
- You’ll need to run a test on all television sets in the house to see that this worked. If it’s not picking up the signal, you might need to adjust the measurements on the roof and try again. Otherwise, it could an issue with your cable
- For the best results, you should consider using a diplexer at the top of the setup. These devices work by merging the two signals by each antenna and sending them into the coaxial feedline. With a quality diplexer, you may be able to get up to four different antennas collecting a signal and sending them to one place
The Advantages
When you have a poor picture quality, you’ll do just about anything you can to make it better. Sometimes, the easiest approach is to try and combine antennas first and see what happens. Here are the benefits you might expect from trying out this process for yourself.
Better Picture
When you get the two antennas working correctly and position them in the right way, you’ll see amazing results on your TV. Provided you are using the right tools and devices to set it up, the improvement in your picture will be instantly recognizable.
Cheap Option
When you can source the parts and accessories the right way, you’re able to save a lot of money using this method. However, you have to be prepared to spend the time setting it up which is how you end up saving so much money.
The Disadvantages
Before you jump into this project in an effort to improve your television picture quality, you’ll want to weigh up the disadvantages as well. Here are some things to keep in mind before you go ahead with purchasing the parts.
It’s Technical
Although the steps are pretty easy, the technicalities behind this process may be hard for some. Unless you’re skilled at working with antennas or have some basic knowledge on how they work, you might find it difficult to get them in the right spot.
It May Not Work
Even with the two antennas placed perfectly, there’s no guarantee that this method will work. Some people find that their connection and signal are still lacking even with two antennas working together.
There Are Other Options
There are plenty of digital, rotating, and high-frequency antennas available on the market that may be more effective. Check out your other options and see if something new might be an easier and more effective approach.
Better Reception For Your Home Entertainment
The importance of owning a television is something that most American homes can agree on. When your television picture isn’t as good as it should be though, it can seriously ruin your daily or nightly entertainment. A TV without a clear picture just feels useless, so you want to rectify the problem as soon as you can.
Learning how to combine two antennas and use both signals on your TV is certainly a great project to undertake. When done right, it could have great results, but you also have to be prepared for the chance that it might not work out.
Those with time on their hands and an understanding of the mechanics of antenna will likely find a lot of satisfaction in this project. For those without the knowledge, you may want to invest in a new digital or rotating antenna that can hopefully boost your signal without requiring any extra effort from you.
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