Radio interference
Terrestrial digital TV problems
Interference in TV reception. The quality of the YLE (Finnish Broadcasting Corporation) channels is good, while there are interruptions and the picture goes into pixels on the other channels, e.g. MTV3 and Nelonen (Channel 4).
Start by checking if the antenna is a so called wideband UHF antenna? The digital television transmission uses several frequency bands. If the antenna is not wideband enough the antenna gain of some of the multiplexes may be weaker. Furthermore, check that the direction of the antenna is correct and that the right, i.e. strongest transmission channels have been programmed into the receiver.
If the receiver is in a place where the signal can be received from several transmitters, but the frequency of a certain multiplex in the transmitter, towards which the antenna is directed, is on a higher frequency than that of another multiplex in a transmitter in another direction, the set-top box, by auto search, saves into the memory channels of the transmitter located in the sidelobe or back of this antenna and discards the signal of the transmitter in the right direction found when searching later on. In such a case, do the channel search for each channel separately (manual search). First check the right channels for the area (http://www.digitv.fi/sivu.asp?path=1;8224;9519). In communal antenna premises one reason may be that the programmed channels of the master amplifier no longer complies with the changed transmitter channels in the multiplexes.
Interference in TV reception in winter (or summer), at other times of the year the picture quality of good.
The received signal strength is subject to seasonal variation. In winter time the antenna collects snow and ice, which weakens the antenna features (the gain may drop), while in summer the received signal may be attenuated by the leaves on the trees and other vegetation.
Occasional interference in TV reception on all channels, the picture freezes, seems to break up into little squares and the sound cuts.
Check that the signal of the receiver is strong enough. The strength of the signal of the receiver should be at least 70 - 80 % of the maximum value.
Poor picture in TV reception, although there is a gap filler nearby.
Check if the same channels are being used in the gap filler and the master transmitter. You might have to re-programme the right channels into the set-top box/receiver.
Interference in TV reception, the picture freezes, seems to break up into little squares and the sound cuts, when the neighbours use a leaf blower, lawn mower, motor sledge etc.
Check that the signal of the receiver is strong enough. The strength of the received signal should be at least 70 - 80 % of the maximum value. If transmission is received at extreme low signal sensitivity the tolerance limit to interference of digital reception decreases considerably.
You will find further information at: www.digitv.fi.
Broadcast reception
A local radio station used to have a good audibility. Now it is interfered by a new station nearby, and the audibility has turned poor.
Check the coverage area of the local radio station. Interference-free reception cannot be guaranteed at the borders of, or outside, the coverage area. You can try to improve the situation by using a directional antenna. In antenna matters you should contact an antenna contractor familiar with local conditions.
Humming/buzzing noise on the radio.
Check that no other electric appliance in your home is causing the interference. Switch off all electric appliances one by one. Many of the electric appliances used at home must be disconnected from the main power network. It is not enough to turn them off from the current switch. Either pull out the power supply cord or remove the fuses one by one.
Do your neighbours have the same interference problem, and what about the car radio? If the interference does not originate from your own electric appliances, and there are no technical problems preventing an interference-free reception (outdoor antenna, the signal of the receiver is strong enough), the Finnish Communications Regulatory Authority may, if necessary, localize the interference.
Radio phone systems in a closed network
The base station channel receives foreign speech.
This is probably a so-called overlong propagation of radio waves due to extreme weather conditions. You have to wait for better conditions for radio communication.
The radio phone picks up voice transmission of some other company.
Get in touch with the Finnish Communications Regulatory Authority. Give the characteristics of your radio system licence.
Other problems
Does the mobile base station on the roof of the block opposite cause health risk?
The Finnish Communications Regulatory Authority does not handle radiation safety matters. Please turn to the Radiation and Nuclear Safety Authority or the Finnish Institute of Occupational Health. Links:
www.stuk.fi.
www.ttl.fi.
A high radio mast has been built near our site. On what grounds has it been built and where can you appeal?
The building inspection in the municipalities regulate building of radio masts. Accordingly, please get in touch with the building inspection in your home municipality.
My GSM phone always disconnects in the same place on the road.
Inform your mobile operator of the problem. However, the operator is not obliged to build a nation-wide covering network.
Our family has a wireless local area network (WLAN). Occasional connection interruptions.
Normally wireless local networks operate on frequency bands exempted from licensing, and there may be a lot of other users on the frequencies, too. On these frequencies interference-free operation cannot be guaranteed.
