Combining OTA and Cable Signal through multiswitch

[ResidentDoc]

I've searched for an answer to this question, but have come up empty. I currently have satellite and basic cable distributed throughout the house via a 5x8 multiswitch. I'm interested in adding an OTA signal into the mix for HD locals. (I have two HR10-250's that I want to use with the OTA antenna and satellite. There is also a stand-alone TV that needs the basic cable signal.)

Does anyone know if it's possible to combine signals from an OTA antenna and the cable co. using a reversed 2-way splitter, and then run the combined output into a 5x8 multiswitch to diplex with the satellite signal. As long as there's no overlap between the cable co. frequencies and the HD frequencies, I don't see why this shouldn't work. Anyone have a similar set-up?

TIA
:D

[JimSpence]

It might work. Try it and let us know. I doubt you'd have good luck.

Even without overlap, inter-frequency interference can cause all kinds of problems.

What I would do is diplex OTA onto the switch outputs needed and the cable on a separate line.

[HomieG]

Well that's where the problem will be. Overlap of the cable company channels/frequencies, with that of the OTA signals. If I understand your post correctly, you'd probably actually demodulate the cable company channel, and if they are analog, you'd probably get interference from the OTA signal on an "co-cable channel". Some of the OTA signals are likely on the same frequency as some of the cable channels. And if you're close to the OTA transmitter site(s), then those may override the "co-cable channel" on the same frequency, with the cable channel causing interference to the OTA signal.

Hey, it's worth a try, though. Let us know what you find out.