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Background
Interference is any unwanted radio frequency
signal that prevents you from watching television, listening to
your radio or stereo, or talking on your cordless telephone.
Interference may prevent reception altogether, may cause only a
temporary loss of a signal, or may affect the quality of the
sound or picture produced by your equipment.
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Common Causes
Before you can resolve an interference
problem you must isolate the actual interference source.
Interference originates from many sources - the equipment
itself, your residence, or the neighborhood.
The two most common causes of
interference are transmitters and electrical
equipment. Communication systems that transmit signals
(transmitters) are capable of generating interference; these
include amateur radios, CBs, and radio and television
stations. Electrical interference may be caused by power
lines or electrical equipment in your home. |
Transmitter Interference
Transmitter interference is normally caused
by the actual design of the (interfered-with) equipment itself.
Many manufacturers do not protect internal wiring with adequate
shielding or sufficient filtering, so the interfered-with
equipment is susceptible to receiving unwanted signals –
interference.
The source may be as simple as a frayed
wire that connects your speakers to an amplifier. A faulty wire
can act as an antenna that will carry interfering signals. Check
the incoming wire from your outside antenna for any damage or
corrosion. Replace any twin-lead cable with a coaxial cable; a
coaxial cable offers the best protection from all types of
outside interference.
To determine whether the interference is
coming from the interfered-with equipment itself, unplug one
component at a time on the interfered-with equipment or on other
equipment to see if you can isolate the source. Also, disconnect
other electrical equipment (answering machines, telephones, fax
machines, etc.) one by one. If the problem goes away when the
device is disconnected, you have found the source – the device
itself.
If your equipment is reacting to
transmitters such as an amateur radio or CB, you will have
interference only when the radio operator is talking; you will
be able to hear only half of the conversation. This type of
interference is normally intermittent during specific times of
the day. You will probably be able to verify your conclusion if
you see an antenna mounted on a nearby house or car. Stereos,
electronic organs, home intercom systems and other devices can
react to nearby radio transmitters and will function as radio
receivers. Cordless telephones use radio frequencies and have no
protection from interference. If you are experiencing
interference on your cordless phone, you should contact the
manufacturer for assistance.
Electrical Interference
Electrical interference appears on the audio
and video portion of television programming. There are various
patterns; the entire screen may be covered with rolling
horizontal lines, bars on the TV screen or a series of diagonal
dashed white lines. Short bursts of interference may be caused
by hair dryers, sewing machines, electric drills, doorbell
transformers and garage door openers. If the pattern is on
continuously, it may be caused by equipment that is in use full
time, such as aquarium heaters and fluorescent lighting.
Interference caused by your power company’s electrical equipment
is normally continuous and your power company should be
notified.
A simple method of determining the location
of electrical interference is by using a portable AM radio tuned
to a quiet frequency at the lower end of the dial. If you hear
static or a buzzing sound, check to see if it corresponds with
the interference to your equipment. The closer you get to the
source of the interference, the more intense the static will be.
If you cannot locate the interference
source in your own house, check with your neighbors to see if
they also receive interference. The house that has the worst
interference will often be the source of the interference.
If you can determine that the electrical
interference is not caused by any device in your home or a
neighbor’s home served by the same transformer, contact the
customer service department of your local power company. Most
power companies will investigate the problem and take steps to
correct it.
The manufacturer of your home electronics
equipment is in the best position to offer assistance in
resolving your interference problems. You can usually find
information about the manufacturer of your equipment on the
Internet. The dealer who sold you the equipment should also be
able to provide contact information for the manufacturer.
Filing a Complaint with the FCC
If you cannot locate the source of the
interference and the problem continues, you can file a complaint
with the Federal Communications Commission (FCC), which has
established rules to reduce interference. You can file your
complaint using the on-line complaint Form 2000F found on the
FCC Web site at
www.fcc.gov/cgb/complaints.html. You can also file your
complaint with the FCC’s Consumer Center by e-mailing
fccinfo@fcc.gov; calling
1-888-CALL- FCC (1-888-225-5322) voice or 1-888-TELL-FCC
(1-888-835-5322) TTY; faxing 1-866-418-0232; or writing to:
Federal Communications Commission
Consumer & Governmental Affairs Bureau
Consumer Inquiries and Complaints Division
445 12th Street, S.W.
Washington, DC 20554.
What to Include in Your Complaint
The best way to provide all the information
the FCC needs to process your complaint is to complete fully the
on-line complaint Form 2000F. If you do not use the on-line
complaint Form 2000F, your complaint, at a minimum, should
indicate:
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your name, address, e-mail address, and
phone number where you can be reached;
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the type of company you are
complaining about (telephone, wireless, Internet access
provider, TV or radio station, cable or satellite provider);
and
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any additional details of your
complaint, including time, date, and nature of the conduct
or activity you are complaining about and identifying
information for any companies, organizations, or individuals
involved.
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For More Information
For information about
other telecommunications issues, visit the FCC’s
Consumer & Governmental Affairs Bureau site at
www.fcc.gov/cgb, or contact the
FCC’s Consumer Center using the information provided for
filing a complaint. |
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Federal Communications Commission
