# A/B Antenna switcher **URL:** \ **Category:** Factual Questions\ **Created:** [December 9, 2015, 3:18am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-b-antenna-switcher/739901 "2015-12-09T03:18:35Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 5\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![joe.russell](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/ecb155/32.png) [@joe.russell](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/joe.russell)\ **Post date:** [December 9, 2015, 3:18am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-b-antenna-switcher/739901/1 "2015-12-09T03:18:35Z")
I recently installed a directional antenna in our attic that I got for free to pull in a UHF channel I was having trouble with. My old indoor antenna pulled in more stations, but not the UHF I was wanting. I’m know the make manual A/B Antenna switchers, and also a few remote models. I’m wondering if there is one that I can hook up that can be set up in the attic, but switched automatically, or by remote 2 floors below. No power outlets are in the attic. I did a search, but the newest thread was 15+ years old and a little different scenario. Also curious on any signal loss I may have with a switcher, if any. Again, no power in the attic, and there is no way I have room for a rotor. Any help is appreciated Thanks ---
**Author:** ![Isilder](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/i/cc9497/32.png) [@Isilder](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Isilder)\ **Post date:** [December 9, 2015, 3:48am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-b-antenna-switcher/739901/2 "2015-12-09T03:48:45Z")
So you need UHF to work on both antenna ? Because if you only needed VHF from one and UHF from the other, you could use a diplexer, to pull VHF from one and UHF from the other. Otherwise you need a remote switch… which is rather simple and causes just a tiny amount of loss of signal to noise ratio. Of course one designed for the job will have correct impedance matching, so as to minimize signal loss. eg > **[Ameritron RCS-4 Remote Antenna Switch](https://www.universal-radio.com/catalog/switch/0536.html)** > > Ameritron RCS-4 Remote Antenna Switch Or find a 2 antenna kit (you solder it together ) on for around $20 . ---
**Author:** ![joe.russell](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/ecb155/32.png) [@joe.russell](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/joe.russell)\ **Post date:** [December 9, 2015, 11:45am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-b-antenna-switcher/739901/3 "2015-12-09T11:45:47Z")
Correct. Im really only using the directional antenna in the attic for uhf, as that channel is more of a priority. But my indoor antenna pulled in 5 or 6 more stations from another direction, but sucked at uhf. Is a diplexer really as simple as screwing your two antennas in and walking away? Bc that seems extremely simple. My indoor antenna ultimately runs through the attic as well since I place it on the top floor. Thats why a manual switch will not work. The junction will be in the attic, so I need a ‘switchless’ combiner, or one that can be switched remotely, but from a floor or two away. ---
**Author:** ![Francis\_Vaughan](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/francis_vaughan/32/3093_2.png) [@Francis\_Vaughan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Francis_Vaughan)\ **Post date:** [December 9, 2015, 12:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-b-antenna-switcher/739901/4 "2015-12-09T12:43:00Z")
> [@joe.russell](#): > > Is a diplexer really as simple as screwing your two antennas in and walking away? Yes. 😃 ---
**Author:** ![joe.russell](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/ecb155/32.png) [@joe.russell](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/joe.russell)\ **Post date:** [December 9, 2015, 4:00pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-b-antenna-switcher/739901/5 "2015-12-09T16:00:53Z")
Ill give that a shot first. Any reason why I cant get one from dish or directv, those seem to be fairly cheap. I assume a diplexer is a diplexer, is a diplexer. Thanks everyone!