Can you combine signals?

[iBoston]

Can you have two dished pointed to the same satellite and combine the signals to get a nice strong signal off a normally weak signal???

 

[Magic Static]

Not in a consumer application. Radio telescopes are co-phased together but there is nothing out there you could do that with at home.

 

[FTA4PA]

Maybe some day, in some form, if an enterprising Satellite Guys member starts experimenting? http://www.gizmag.com/antennae-arrays-could-replace-satellite-dishes/16677/

 

[iBoston]

Everybody listening!?!?! Some super natural brainiak better get crackin...

 

[Mr Tony]

Can you have two dished pointed to the same satellite and combine the signals to get a nice strong signal off a normally weak signal???

nope

 

[Titanium]

Get two identical dishes, install with perfect alignment, tracking and skew. Buy external sync reference LNBs and a frequency generator. Install with identical length and matching cables to a high quality combiner. There you have it! Something that with provide about 60-70% efficiency of simply doubling the reflector size at 10+ times the price. Maybe for bragging rights, but not the best use of my time or energy....

 

[Magic Static]

What we need is a dual output external sync reference LNB and then we could do it with only one dish LOL

 

[iBoston]

Get two identical dishes, install with perfect alignment, tracking and skew. Buy external sync reference LNBs and a frequency generator. Install with identical length and matching cables to a high quality combiner. There you have it! Something that with provide about 60-70% efficiency of simply doubling the reflector size at 10+ times the price. Maybe for bragging rights, but not the best use of my time or energy....

That sounds easy enough...

 

[KE4EST]

You sure can, but like Brian said too much extra money and time and effort for me.

 

[wallyhts]

Am I being a moron for saying using a bigger dish would fix weak signals? (Unless you can't i guess)

 

[KE4EST]

Yep that would be way easier.

 

[Dee_Ann]

One of the first things I learned about satellite is that a bigger dish is always better.

So if the application calls for a 90cm dish, I’m putting in a 6 foot dish, at the least. I do not like “Searching for satellite signal, please wait”...

 

[rgk]

So if the application calls for a 90cm dish, I’m putting in a 6 foot dish, ”...

The Tim Allen of FTA

 

[FaT Air]

I remember readin (some time ago, and I don't know where) that the VLA deep space dish farms use multiple dishes, not for gain, but to emulate the focus (beamwidth) of a dish near the width of the dish farm.