Traffic affects my TV signal.?

Question

I have an LCD TV and a freeview box. I also have an indoor ariel as the roof ariel connection does not pick up any channels and as I'm renting I don't want to pay out. Why is it that certain cars and taxis going past my street, not even outside my house, affect my TV signal, and how can I stop this? I feel it's only happened since I bought the LCD, which I got as two analogue TVs blew up so I wanted low energy output.

Answer 1

they need a new suppressor cap fitting on the cars and bikes, what you need is a filter, you will be able to get one for under a tenner, do not get a booster, you will just pull in more of the interference

regards x kitti x

Answer 2

Sounds like your ANALOG channels are the ones giving you grief....That will always be the way they are...

Now your DIGITAL channels shouldn't have any problems, but you must understand that when metal objects (like cars) move around in an enclosed Multi-story  Box like your street is, you're going to get MULTI-PATH interference....and that's why that Antenna that "DOESN'T work" is located on top of your roof in the first place.!

Isn't that the landlord's responsibility to maintain that roof aerial? Shouldn't he hire an aerial engineer to get it functioning?

Answer 3

Actually, digital TV channels are very much affected by traffic if the incoming signal is weak (which it will be).

Car ignition systems generate impulse noise, and it's this that causes macro-blocking on digital tv equipment.

Remember the first generation of Philips freeview receiver (the OnDigital one - DTX6330)? It suffered horrendously from blocking anytime a vehicle went past outside.

Back when OnDigital was around, our tv shop was on a really busy road, and no matter how much we spent on an absolutely top class aerial system, using CT100 downlead etc, we couldnt completely eliminate the problem.

Modern FreeView receivers are a lot better of course, but replacing the cable from whatever aerial you are using, with some twin screened satellite downlead (cable) such as CT100 or H109F could make a real difference.

For a start, it looses a lot less signal along its length, so more of it ends up where you need it - at the FreeView receiver. The extra wrap of copper foil inside the cable really helps to keep unwanted impulse noise out.

I'd agree with another reply you've had about not getting an amplifier (or "booster" - I hate that word!) - it will make things worse, as not only will it amplify the wanted signal (digital tv channels), it will amplify the unwanted signal (noise).

Incidentally, defective thermostats on a fridge or freezer, or central heating etc can also cause electrical impulse noise which can be picked up by the receiver. Dont forget to rule this out before blaming the local traffic.