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?
Friday, 20 October 2023
S
Steve Donaldson3:52 PM
Geoff. Doxon: If your question relates to when the Kendal transmitter at Oxenholme may transmit all Freeview channels, then I imagine that it's extremely unlikely. A few transmitters became full service when TV transmitter frequencies were reorganised to clear the top ones for use by mobile phone services.
My cursory familiarity with the Kendal area is that the Lancaster transmitter is receivable in some places, this judging by the Freeview predictor and the fact that some houses have Lancaster aerials.
Lancaster carries BBC One North West and ITV Granada, whereas Kendal (Oxenholme) carries BBC One North West and ITV Border, so if ITV Border is important to you then a two-aerial approach may be the way to go.
That said, as Lancaster is possibly out of sight or not far off, reception may be expected to not be as reliable as Kendal or Kendal Fell. Thus, with an aerial on Lancaster and one on Kendal (or Kendal Fell, depending on which is best), it may be preferred to rely on Lancaster only for the channels that one of the Kendal transmitters doesn't carry.
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Thursday, 13 June 2024
N
Nigel Haigh12:13 PM
Why is our transmitter for Cardiff and the Vale of Glamorgan, going off between 12.30/13.30 until 19.30 each day.
If they are working on transmitter, when will work finish, and what are they doing?
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C
Chris.SE1:55 PM
Nigel Haigh:
There are many transmitters having Planned or Essential Engineering and Arqiva never give the details about the work or how long it may last.
It is unusual for any transmitter (which we assume may be a relay rather than a main transmitter) to go off for such lengthy periods in daytime, but it does happen occasionally.
Is it all channels going off, or just some? Eg. just ITV/C4/C5 etc or just BBC channels.
I hope you are not trying to retune when the signal goes off and it says "No signal" - you cannot tune to signals that aren't there, it will usually just clear your correct tuning.
I can't find any current warning from the BBC about such lengthy interruptions for any transmitter but I'm afraid without the specific transmitter name or your full postcode to check which transmitter you may receive, we can't look to see if any further information may be available.
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Tuesday, 16 July 2024
C
cuadros personalizados12:16 PM
Sot on with thi write-up, I seriousl believe
this site needs far mre attention. I'll prbably be back aain to read moe, thanks for the
info!
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Friday, 20 December 2024
J
Jo1:22 PM
Abergele
Hi there,
I have been checking, through loads of your posts, and found them all really helpful. Unfortunately I haven't found anything that makes sense... except for this article. I am wondering if one of my neighbours has installed something that is causing interference. My channels have been off more than on, with no particular pattern, for a couple of weeks. They ALL went off for no reason a couple of weeks ago. I am thinking trying a a surge protector/filter might help? Unfortunately the link no longer works. Do you perhaps know another, please?
This site is fab, thank you for all the info!
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Jo's: mapJ's Freeview map terrainJ's terrain plot wavesJ's frequency data J's Freeview Detailed Coverage
Saturday, 21 December 2024
C
Chris.SE3:55 AM
Jo:
Hello Jo, sorry nearly missed your post amongst all the spam that's been appearing.
To start, just a point of clarity, a "surge" filter would be of no help whatsoever, that doesn't suppress interference of any type it just helps protect equipment from any mains power surges.
Whilst it's possible your neighbour(s) may have installed something causing electrical interference, it's one of the less likely problems. So we need to check other things and eliminate possibilities.
First, we need to establish which transmitter your are receiving, as you could receive at least two!
Your most likely is Moel-Y-Parc which is just under 19km away and you have line of sight to it (assuming no obstructions from nearby trees, local buildings etc).
The aerial should be pointing at compass bearing 117 degrees that's a few degrees south of ESE and its rods (or squashed Xs) should be horizontal.
Where is it located? On a chimney, wall, loft etc. Roughly how old is it?
If it's external, check the coax downlead is secure and not flapping in the wind.
2nd, do you have any aerial amp/splitter to feed more than one TV/box? (Make and model if you can say).
Are your signal OK at present? but do read on and check -
Like most main transmitters, Moel-Y-Parc has been having planned engineering at various times where the signal may be reduced or interrupted - the latter usually only for short periods. One thing you shouldn't do is retune when you have no signal, you can't tune to signals that aren't there!
The usual result is to clear the correct tuning and sometimes where you can get signals from more than one transmitter you get tuned to weak and unreliable signals from another transmitter.
So if you have retuned at any time you were having problems it will be best to check in your TV tuning section that you are correctly tunes the the Moel-Y-Parc UHF channels (assuming your aerial points at it - IF it doesn't, tell us which way it points and which regional news you normally get).
In the multiplex order BBCA/PSB1, D3&4/PSB2, BBCB HD/PSB3, SDN/COM4, ArqA/COM5, ArqB/COM6
The UHF channels are C45, C39, C42, C33, C36, and C48
For which TV Channels are carried on which multiplex see
Channel listings for Industry Professionals | Freeview
Please update us on the situation.
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