Freeview intermittent interference
Brian Butterworth published on UK Free TV There are several different types of interference that cause problems. This page deals with the situation where:
- Freeview reception is perfect or near-perfect most of the time
- The audio on TV and radio channels mutes momentarily a few times each minute
- The picture on a Freeview channel freezes a few times each minute
There are two main causes of this type of intermittent interference:
- 'Induction' interference
- Mobile phone interference
Induction interference
Induction interference is caused by mains-powered household devices that contain a large motor, such as:- Washing machine;
- Tumble dryer;
- Central heating pump or combination boiler;
- Fridge;
- Freezer;
- Power tools (drills, jigsaws etc)
- Vacuum cleaners;
- Water pumps;
- Automatic doors
You can identify if one or more of these devices is causing the Freeview reception problem by powering off the devices.
If one of these devices is causing the problem, then the reception problem can usually be solved by using a mains filter device and use it on the Freeview boxes mains connection.
Such as device is this: Maplin: 6-Way Flat Screen and HDTV Surge Protector and Mains Filter.
Mobile phone interference
If you keep a mobile phone by your Freeview box or digital television, keep it further away!This also applies to other transmitters such as baby monitors, video senders, walkie talkies, and portable phones.
Help with Freeview, aerials?
Thursday, 7 October 2021
R
ROGER CULLINGHAM10:41 AM
Callington
My reception on both TV and recorder is good in the morning.In the evening TV is OK recorder pixelates.any suggestions please? Post code PL17 7LZ. We live in a valley and the ariel points south and not west to Caradon Hill.The problem varies and is not constant.
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ROGER's: mapR's Freeview map terrainR's terrain plot wavesR's frequency data R's Freeview Detailed Coverage
C
Chris.SE1:20 PM
ROGER CULLINGHAM:
Recent (and some current) weather conditions can cause TV signals from distant transmitters to travel further and so cause interference when the wanted signal from a local transmitter is already marginal, which could be part of what is happening with you.
The fundamental problem with you is that the aerial is not pointing at (or even nearly at) the transmitter and even in a valley that will cause you to have a weaker signal than could be available!!
Your location is only 5km from Caradon Hill and whilst reception predictors aren't always 100% accurate, Freeview's does not predict reception from any other transmitter and suggests very good reception from Caradon Hill.
Your aerial should be pointing at a bearing of 234 degrees for your locale (approx. marginally S of WSW) and the rods (or squashed Xs) should be horizontal.
I suggest you look into repositioning your aerial!
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Friday, 15 October 2021
I keep listening to the news broadcast speak about getting free online
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for the most excellent site to get one. Could you advise me please, where could i acquire some?
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Saturday, 16 October 2021
C
Chris.SE1:33 AM
business web design:
This is a UK website and probably not the place to help with your query.
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Sunday, 17 October 2021
C
Cartridgeon Wheels Reno7:08 AM
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Thursday, 18 November 2021
P
Peter White11:59 AM
I am having problems with Freeview can only get 8 TV channels from 3 days ago. 15th Nov.
Is this due to the engineering works, does anybody have the same issue
I am located at Billingborough, NG340QX ?
Have tried retuning procedure but no joy.
Peter
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C
Chris.SE2:14 PM
Peter White:
I'll reply to your posts on the Waltham transmitter page.
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Monday, 22 November 2021
H
Helen7:59 PM
Keighley
We live in Cowling and having Issues with HD channels, either pixelating or no picture at all. Loewe TV with aerial in loft using Cowling transmitter. Tried all the retuning advise. We have also notice that the car stereo has outages approaching home which didn't happen before.
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Helen's: mapH's Freeview map terrainH's terrain plot wavesH's frequency data H's Freeview Detailed Coverage
Tuesday, 23 November 2021
C
Chris.SE1:57 AM
Helen:
Freeview nor the BBC are reporting any problems with the Cowling transmitter and it's not currently listed for Planned Engineering. How long have you been having problems with the HD channels? (I assume you mean 101-105 ?).
Check that your aerial hasn't been disturbed and is still pointing at the Cowling transmitter with its rods (or squashed Xs) vertical.
Check in your TV's tuning section that you are correctly tuned to Cowling's UHF channels C42, C45 but especially C39 for the HD multiplex.
Check all your coax plugs and connections behind your TV. Make sure you don't have any HDMI leads running close to your aerial lead or any flyleads especially if the latter aren't quality double screened types. HDMI has been known to cause interference.
With the radio problem is this FM or DAB and which stations?
There aren't any reported problems with BBC DAB stations, but if it's FM BBC Radios 1-4, this comes from the Holme Moss transmitter and has been having major ongoing engineering since the end of June with periodic reduced power.
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Wednesday, 24 November 2021
S
Stanley Rae8:23 PM
Digital TV drops out at 20 the hour causing loose of recordings and loose of signal for short time
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