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Bad reception

S

Stephen Gray

Jan 1, 1970
0
Hello.

I have a normal (i.e. not satellite) T.V. here in the UK that is
experiencing electrical interference. It only happens at night and as there
is nothing in the house that only turns on at night, I can only concur that
the interference is from outside. I've fitted a filter and a signal booster
but it has made no difference. Apart from getting an electrical engineer
in, is there anything I can do ? Any equipment I can hire ?

SPG

p.s. Apologies if this is the wrong forum.
 
A

Airy R. Bean

Jan 1, 1970
0
Perhaps your central heating is only turned on in the evening?

Perhaps you don't watch TV during the day?
 
S

Stephen Gray

Jan 1, 1970
0
Airy R. Bean said:
Perhaps your central heating is only turned on in the evening?

Perhaps you don't watch TV during the day?

Hello.

The central heating is on all day and we've watched during the day to make
sure it's only the evening.

SPG
 
A

Airy R. Bean

Jan 1, 1970
0
Sorry, then, because a central heating thermostat is usually one of the
favourites.

You need to determine where the interference is coming in, is
it via the mains, via the antenna, or directly. I'd suggest removing
the signal booster as it's likely to aggravate the problem.

Could it in any way be a failing at some internal part of the TV?
 
H

Harry Bloomfield

Jan 1, 1970
0
Stephen Gray wrote on Wednesday (28/01/2004) :
Hello.

I have a normal (i.e. not satellite) T.V. here in the UK that is
experiencing electrical interference. It only happens at night and as there
is nothing in the house that only turns on at night, I can only concur that
the interference is from outside. I've fitted a filter and a signal booster
but it has made no difference. Apart from getting an electrical engineer
in, is there anything I can do ? Any equipment I can hire ?

SPG

p.s. Apologies if this is the wrong forum.

No point in fitting filters, if you don't know what you are trying to
filter out. No point in boosting the signal, if your signal is already
strong. The booster would also amplify both the signal and the noise.

The only way is to find the source and fix it. Is the interferance
constant, at a constant level or does it vary? Try turning everything
off in your home except the TV. If that fixes it, then turn things back
on until the problem returns. Try a battery powered portable TV, to see
if you still see the problem, if so it is likely mains bourne. It might
also be a fault in your TV.

Can you hear interference on a portable radio? Take a walk round your
local area with the radio to see where the noise appears to be loudest.

Finally (assuming you are in the UK), if all else fails, then get in
touch with OFCOM, who recently took over the duties of the
RadioCommunications Agency (RA). They do though often charge a fee of
around £60.
 
S

SQLit

Jan 1, 1970
0
Stephen Gray said:
Hello.

I have a normal (i.e. not satellite) T.V. here in the UK that is
experiencing electrical interference. It only happens at night and as there
is nothing in the house that only turns on at night, I can only concur that
the interference is from outside. I've fitted a filter and a signal booster
but it has made no difference. Apart from getting an electrical engineer
in, is there anything I can do ? Any equipment I can hire ?

SPG

p.s. Apologies if this is the wrong forum.


I had this problem recently with my cable connection. Did not effect the
high speed internet but every night about 7 pm the snow on the screen would
start until it was almost unwatchable. Only on my big screen and it is the
closest to the cable box out side.

I suggest you remove all your filters and boosters. I suggest you check to
see if the incoming cable lead from the antenna and antenna is grounded. If
so replace the lead from the antenna to the TV. That is what I finally did
and it solved the problem.

You could have a ham radio near by. Look for large antennas on the roofs. or
maybe a crank up one in a back yard.

I hope this leads you to a solution.
 
B

Brian Reay

Jan 1, 1970
0
Stephen Gray said:
Hello.

I have a normal (i.e. not satellite) T.V. here in the UK that is
experiencing electrical interference. It only happens at night and as there
is nothing in the house that only turns on at night, I can only concur that
the interference is from outside. I've fitted a filter and a signal booster
but it has made no difference. Apart from getting an electrical engineer
in, is there anything I can do ? Any equipment I can hire ?

You haven't described the interference- if you could that may help a
diagnosis.

Also, are you in a built up area (ie other houses close by) or are you miles
from any neighbours?

--
73
Brian
G8OSN
www.g8osn.org.uk
www.amateurradiotraining.org.uk for FREE training material for all UK
amateur radio licences
www.phoenixradioclub.org.uk - a RADIO club specifically for those wishing
to learn more about amateur radio
 
S

sammmm

Jan 1, 1970
0
don't happen to have a local citizens band or ham radio guy?
the hams will probably work with you if it's really a problem with their
radio.
not sure about the CBers. 50 mhz or so is the biggest problem..
i really don't know what the channel arrangements are in the UK.
good luck, sam
 
A

Airy R. Bean

Jan 1, 1970
0
In fact, the worse thing you could have near you
is known as an "M3" licensee. These people are so ignorant
that they are regarded by real radio hams as nothing
more than jumped-up CBers, and for this reason
they are known as , "M3/CB Fools Licensees".

These are people who have been given Ham Licences
without first having proved any technical capability. If
one of these is giving you the trouble, then you're on your
own! (Regrettably)
 
A

Airy R. Bean

Jan 1, 1970
0
Is it possible that you have a digi-box coming in via
a co-ax (and not a Scart) and the output frequency has been
set close to Channel 5?
 
A

Airy R. Bean

Jan 1, 1970
0
......and does the interference decrease with increasing time?
 
S

Stephen Gray

Jan 1, 1970
0
Thanks to all the replies - I'll check everything suggested.

Regards

SPG
 
G

Grunt

Jan 1, 1970
0
Hello.

I have a normal (i.e. not satellite) T.V. here in the UK that is
experiencing electrical interference. It only happens at night and as
there is nothing in the house that only turns on at night, I can only
concur that the interference is from outside. I've fitted a filter
and a signal booster but it has made no difference. Apart from
getting an electrical engineer in, is there anything I can do ? Any
equipment I can hire ?

SPG

p.s. Apologies if this is the wrong forum.

Perhaps you live near this fellow?
 
C

Chrissy B

Jan 1, 1970
0
Stephen Gray said:
Hello.

I have a normal (i.e. not satellite) T.V. here in the UK that is
experiencing electrical interference. It only happens at night and as there
is nothing in the house that only turns on at night, I can only concur that
the interference is from outside. I've fitted a filter and a signal booster
but it has made no difference. Apart from getting an electrical engineer
in, is there anything I can do ? Any equipment I can hire ?

SPG

p.s. Apologies if this is the wrong forum.

I had the same problem for months........Ended up being a guy down
the street with a CB radio and a huge power amp.

He would not budge on his power output, so i ended up moving to
Sky tv, just to get a reception at night....

wish there was some sort of law for this thing.

Chris.
 
S

Stephen Gray

Jan 1, 1970
0
There is. It's called OFFCOM and they will check the interference and do
something about it. www.offcom.co.uk apparently.

SPG
 
M

Matthew Haigh

Jan 1, 1970
0
Chrissy B said:
I had the same problem for months........Ended up being a guy down
the street with a CB radio and a huge power amp.

He would not budge on his power output, so i ended up moving to
Sky tv, just to get a reception at night....

wish there was some sort of law for this thing.

There is - the RA (or Ofcom now) should investigate this for you, and if
it really is a CBer with a huge power amp he would be prosecuted (power
amps are not allowed on the CB bands). If it is an amateur radio
operator, he could be prosecuted and/or have limitations placed on his
licence to prevent him using the frequencies/powers that are causing
interference. In any event, a radio operator should not be causing you
interference, and you can get the authorities to back you up on this -
especially if he is causing problems for other neighbours too.
How well this will go down with your neighbour is a matter for you to
decide - it isn't unknown for this kind of thing to cause vendettas.

Matt
 
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