TV heard in 180.XXX thru 190.XXXX

[bonus1331]

When I'm sitting outside my house and place my 396 in CC mode, it is picking up TV audio in the 180-191.000 area.
I have cable in the house.
This is also affecting my BCT-15 with occasional intermod.
Should I assume this is a cable leak from the house or can this come from one of the neighborhood cable boxes?
Any one recommend an appropriate filter for this type of interference?
Thanks

 

[W4KRR]

Over the air TV audio signals are located within that frequency range, so it probably isn't an error or interference. You're probably just receiving TV audio where it's supposed to be.

 

[n1das]

It takes a strong local signal of somewhere around 500uV (500 microvolts) at the antenna input to get a CC hit. Do you have any local TV stations on channels 8 and 9? This is the frequency range where they operate.

 

[bonus1331]

It takes a strong local signal of somewhere around 500uV (500 microvolts) at the antenna input to get a CC hit. Do you have any local TV stations on channels 8 and 9? This is the frequency range where they operate.

Yes.
However, I am located approximately 20 miles from the transmitters, this is why I was wondering if it could be a cable leak.
Any ideas on how to pinpoint this with a filter solution?

 

[kb2vxa]

Hi David and all,

I have no idea why you would continue to seek a "solution" now that you know that what you're hearing is television audio. What else could there be to listen to on these frequencies? <groan>

 

[bonus1331]

Hi David and all,

I have no idea why you would continue to seek a "solution" now that you know that what you're hearing is television audio. What else could there be to listen to on these frequencies? <groan>

The transmission source (over-air or cable leak) and specific filter to handle this intermod.

Hewlp me answer this and I will have this thread closed.

 

[n2mdk]

Par electronics http://www.parelectronics.com/

 

[kc4jgc]

Channel 8: video 181.25 audio 185.75
Channel 9: video 187.25 audio 191.75

Assuming one of these TV channels is what you're recieving this is NOT interference or intermod. Transmitting MANY kilowatts (some even megawatts), full power TV stations' sigs are intended to be strong enough to sufficiently cover its intended market. At 20 miles from the transmitter, you're well within that station's intended coverage area. You are obviously recieving the TV station direct from the transmitter.

That being said, if you want to eliminate the possibilty of CATV interference in your home (cable channels 2-13 are the same freqs as air channels 2-13) you can try this: If you have any unused but active CATV outlets you can either have them disconnected or have them terminated (basically installing a 75 ohm resistor that can be screwed into the outlet).

You can get a notch filter to eliminate the TV signal as suggested by n2mdk if you think it's really worth it.

 

[SCANdal]

No need to buy anything...

1331,

My suggestion would be to carefully re-read the owner's manual that came with the Uniden BCD396T, particularly around page 108.

SCANdal

 

[kb2vxa]

Pardon my stupidity but for the life of me I'm stumped. The signals are right where they're supposed to be and not interfering with anything so what possibly could be the "problem"?

Now why not close this thread? It's a dead issue!

 

[fineshot1]

I think you folks are missing the OP's point. Because of the strong signals
from the 180-192 spectrum he cannot close call anything else that is near
him, hence his desire to filter out that portion of spectrum causing this
problem for him.

 

[bonus1331]

I think you folks are missing the OP's point. Because of the strong signals
from the 180-192 spectrum he cannot close call anything else that is near
him, hence his desire to filter out that portion of spectrum causing this
problem for him.

Ah, the smart man from NJ wins a prize!
I'm not looking to listen to these signals...'-0!!**%%!!
In fact, per my original post, these signals are also causing intermod on another radio that I am monitoring...to clarify....I'm not monitoring TV audio...

I thought a simple post that is obviously an example of how the written word can be miscon"screwed".

 

[kb2vxa]

OK OK I misunderstood the "396 in CC mode" bit so now we can get down to brass tacks. Yes, appropriate filters will eliminate both problems BUT we're looking at something special here, CATV channel (notch) filters. Hopefully not too many channels or things can get sticky.

Since they're CATV equipment you'll have to order them from an appropriate manufacturer, it's not something you'll find at Rat Shack. After getting the RS blank stare from several companies I found a gold mine in Tin Lee Electronics in Toronto, Mrs. Sniva Lee was most communicative and helpful when selecting the part that I needed and even came up with engineering specs when it came down to a special order. Yeah, the part had to be tailored to my needs and surprisingly it became a part number in their catalog.

You can start here;
http://www.tinlee.com/catv_filters.php?active=1

 

[kc4jgc]

I thought a simple post that is obviously an example of how the written word can be miscon"screwed".

David,

What Warren and the rest of us were reading from your OP was that your radio was STOPPING on the actual TV audio freq. Our reaction was "ok, what's the problem? That's not intermod". For me, the CATV angle muddied the question even more. Your question would have been clearer if you said you were suffering from front end overload from the TV station while in CC mode in another part of the spectrum (or words to that effect).

I don't know how he deciphered; kudos for fineshot for figuring out what you were trying to say. He was obviously the only one on your "wavelength".

 

[bpckty1]

To comment along with the original misconceptions:

Awhile back, a TimeWarner Cable representative came by and said they were looking for "signals". He checked my setup and asked where I got my cables and splitters. I told him the previoius cable provider, Radio Shack and Wal-Mart. He removed them and put the company's cables and splitters on. The leaks stopped. He said that he was not "knocking" the retail store items and the previous provider's equipment, but that since TW had increased the power used to transmit the signals, the signals could easily escape, which was happening. They are OK from the vcr to the tv, but not for inputting the signals to the receivers. The problem is with the couplings that are not properly shielded. The good part was that TW did not charge for the new cables (one of the "few (only?) freebies" I have ever received from them.

This may be a source of your spurious signals. So, you may need to contact your cable provider and get some of their cables and splitters and have someone come out and look for leaks in your neighborhood.

And, here are a few links to TV frequencies:
Cable TV Channel Frequencies
http://www.jneuhaus.com/fccindex/cablech.html
http://www.tvtower.com/Commercial Television Frequencies.html
http://www.chem.hawaii.edu/uham/catvfreq.html
http://www.n2nov.net/TVFreqs.html
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/North_American_cable_television_frequencies

Back on topic:
As for the CC scanning, have you considered activating the attenuator?

 

[kc4jgc]

Cable leaks

In my experience it's always better for cable TV subscribers to get things such as splitters and patch cables, etc from the cable company. Because it's in the their best interest to provide the best service possible, the company should provide those for no charge. Also, as it also affects signal quality, the company should welcome reports of leakage in its system. If their signal is leaking out, other signals can leak IN.

If David's issue is CATV leak related, it must be a hell of a leak to cause overload on his scanner. I suspect an illegal hookup, a pedestal or drop needs replacement or an amplifier gone bad.

 

[bonus1331]

The TV signals do, at times overload my BCT-15 which is in the house monitoring an 800 Mhz TRS.
Appreciate the advice.
I do have Time Warner cable, and as a side note; did not have this issue in my old house which was only about 4 miles away. However, at the old house I used Directv...damn trees;-)

 

[fineshot1]

David,

I don't know how he deciphered; kudos for fineshot for figuring out what you were trying to say. He was obviously the only one on your "wavelength".

Thanks - every now & then I have a moment of clarity