Patent ID: 8836591

Claim:
A broadcasting receiving system for a vehicle comprising: a) an array of a plurality of antennas installed into a vehicle in juxtaposition wherein each antenna includes linearly polarizing elements and has a radiation characteristic with a marked directional effect differing from and complimentary to the radiation characteristic of each of the remaining antennas, and wherein their individual radiation characteristic supplement one another to yield a specific required composite radiation characteristic; b) a separate line for each antenna configured for transmission of a reception signal from an associated antenna to a receiver; c) a plurality of amplifiers, wherein an individual amplifier is interconnected to each of the antennas through a dedicated associated line, and wherein at least one amplifier is configured to separately receive and amplify at least one signal from an associated antenna of said plurality of antennas; d) an active summation element coupled separately to receive inputs from each said amplifier, said summation element configured to sum at least one signal from a first antenna with at least one signal from a second antenna taken from said plurality of antennas; and e) a single common output amplifier interconnecting an output of said active summation element with said receiver, wherein each of said plurality of antennas are positioned in the vehicle so that individual radiation characteristics of all of said plurality of antennas supplement one another spatially to at least yield a selected all-around symmetrical radiation characteristic, and affect a characteristic system signal-to-noise ratio exceeding that produced by the system employing any single antenna.