Interference is produced by electro-magnetic waves causing TV reception issues like pixelation, break ups or complete loss of picture. While not very common, it is only one potential cause of TV reception problems. Most TV reception issues are caused by timeworn or damaged antenna, cabling and/or connections. We recommend to always check these elements of your TV reception equipment first.
Sometimes signals from other sources can interfere with your TV reception. The first check to perform is to ask your neighbours if they have the same problem at the same time.
Here is how to diagnose and fix TV reception issues.
Check Your Electrical Appliances and Computer Equipment
Electrical appliances and computer equipment can interfere with your TV reception.
For example:
- swimming pool pumps
- power tools
- washing machines
- hot water systems
- waterbed heaters
- refrigerators
- pool chlorinators
- LED lights
- light switches and power boards
- electric fences
- WIFI Routers
- WIFI signal boosters
Test for a faulty appliances
Sequentially turn off the appliances and check for each one if your TV reception recovers. If that is the case, turn the appliance back on and see if the interference comes back.
TV Signal Amplifiers (Boosters)
TV Signal boosters are not recommended unless their installation is advised by a qualified antenna technician. They do not fix interference. They are likely to amplify it. Old or faulty signal boosters could also cause interference and therefore they need to be regularly checked and maintained.
We recommend to get a local, qualified antenna technician to service your reception equipment regularly.
Power lines
High voltage power lines can cause electrical interference. Hot, dry and windy weather can cause power lines to spark. At night, dew falling on power lines with dust, salt or pollution damage can cause interference.
Rain will often clear the interference. If you observe this, the power lines around your house may need maintenance. Do not touch power lines. You should report the issue to your local power authority.
Street lights
Street lights can cause interference to your TV reception in the evening when they are turned on, or if a light is not working properly and blinking on/off. Do not touch street lights. Report the issue to your local council or power authority.
Amateur radio or CB radio broadcasts
Amateur and CB radio is generally allocated different frequency bands to DTV and rarely cause interference. However your reception equipment may detect other signals if old, damaged or not properly installed. In this case you should locate the amateur or CB radio equipment and ascertain if it could be the cause of your reception issues. This is generally the case if it is close to your antenna.
Your antenna and cabling should be professionally installed. DIY jobs may save you some money, but they will cause issues and a bad user experience. You may need to install filters on your antenna to eliminate interference or a signal booster if signal levels are inadequate. We always recommend to get a qualified antenna specialist to perform installation and maintenance of your DTV reception equipment.
Inadequate TV signal level if you are in a marginal location
To get geo-technical details of your location’s expected DTV coverage visit the MySwitch website. You can enter your address and get DTV coverage information including available transmission sites, frequencies, their geolocations and expected coverage. If you are in a marginal area in respect to the closest transmission site you may only have fortuitous reception and the unpredictable nature of these weaker signals are far more likely to cause issues. We are unable to fix reception issues due to fortuitous reception and can only advise to check if you are eligible to access the VAST (Viewer Access Satellite TV) service provided by the Australian Government for Australian living in areas where DTV reception is inadequate or not available.