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?
Monday, 10 June 2013
Mike Sear: Turn your aerial vertical.
Rowridge is unique as a main station because, for over a year now it has been broadcasting all channels horizontally and vertically. The Commercial (COM) channels - which carry 5* and others - are not as strong horizontally.
The reason for this restriction is because the COM channels from Stockland Hill broadcast on the same channels (same frequencies), whereas the Public Service (PSB) channels of Rowridge and Stockland aren't co-channel. Stockland broadcasts only horizontally so using vertical polarisation for Rowridge will help "rejection" of interference from Stockland, should it be present.
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Tuesday, 11 June 2013
Mike Sear: I should emphasise that it is just your aerial which need switching for vertical polarisation. A wideband aerial isn't necessary for Rowridge, and indeed a wideband yagi isn't as effective as a Group A one, which it will probably be, particularly if it dates back to four-channel analogue.
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Sunday, 16 June 2013
M
Mike Sear12:08 AM
Dorchester
Mike Sear: Dave, thankyou so much, just off to get the ladders.
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Mike's: mapM's Freeview map terrainM's terrain plot wavesM's frequency data M's Freeview Detailed Coverage
Sunday, 30 June 2013
T
Tony Haynes9:48 PM
I have an unusual issue, that has only recently started. At 3 minutes past the hour, every hour, on HD channels, we briefly get a No Signal message. This occasionally occurs at 18 minutes past the hour too - the rest of the time, and for all of the other channels, all is fine. Any ideas? We are in Cambridge, and receive from the Sandy Heath transmitter.
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Monday, 1 July 2013
J
jb3812:08 AM
Tony Haynes: The question would be as to whether or not you are using a communal aerial?
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Tony Haynes: Are there solar panels which communicate to base via a mobile phone signal?
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J
jb389:46 PM
Tony Haynes: The only reason for my enquiry with regards to a communal aerial was simply because the reason for what you have mentioned has be caused by something very local to where you reside, have you as yet checked with any of your neighbours to ascertain if they are also experiencing similar problems to yourself? because as Dave Lindsay has touched on the problem is suggestive of being caused by something of an auto-checking / updating nature such as used in remote switching or sensing devices.
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Saturday, 6 July 2013
T
Tony Haynes11:04 AM
Dave Lindsay: Yes, we do have solar panels, they communicate with the web via our router
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