Yes, in order to produce circular polarization you need the antennas co-located and fed with equal signal levels offset in phase by 90 electrical degrees. That it is not the case we are discussing.
We are talking about two spatially separated antennas with a relative phase that is uncontrolled.
Sidgates may be right on with his thought of alternating between the two antennas. I think that would work. When the signal from one atnenna becomes too weak the airborne system would still receive every other frame.
Last edited by JPMacG; 04-22-2014 at 12:51 PM.