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Forum Discussion
anengineer
Jan 05, 2019Aspirant
Conflict between Orbi and digital TV antenna
I have found interferrence between Orbi and my digital TV antenna. If the Orbi Satellite is too close to the TV, the tuner is stuck on one channel, with audio & video going in and out - and I have lo...
- Jan 05, 2019
Yes, you should keep Orbi away from other RF devices. They can interfere, even if the devices use different frequencies.
The satellite is turning amber because the signal became poor. The RF singl-to-noise ratio will vary over time, so this is not unusual. It also means if the satellite turned blue once it doesn't mean everything is good. You need a signal strong enough such that it's still good, even when the signal varies on the low side.
If the TV antenna is the issue, you should also have the option of moving the antenna farther away from the TV and Orbi, by using a longer length of coax cable to attach the antenna to the TV.
st_shaw
Jan 05, 2019Master
Yes, you should keep Orbi away from other RF devices. They can interfere, even if the devices use different frequencies.
The satellite is turning amber because the signal became poor. The RF singl-to-noise ratio will vary over time, so this is not unusual. It also means if the satellite turned blue once it doesn't mean everything is good. You need a signal strong enough such that it's still good, even when the signal varies on the low side.
If the TV antenna is the issue, you should also have the option of moving the antenna farther away from the TV and Orbi, by using a longer length of coax cable to attach the antenna to the TV.
anengineer
Jan 05, 2019Aspirant
I hadn't thought of the antenna itself as being impacted. When talking to the antenna agent, he seemed to be focused on the physical connection to the TV for the antenna, or the circuit in the TV for that connection. I could no longer control the TV when the problem occurred, and I couldn't understand how the antenna could cause that.
I can try a longer cable. Also, this antenna has an inline amplifier to increase the sensitivity. Also, the agent gave me a link for a filter that could be put in the antenna line, but I haven't yet followed up on that.
- JoeCymruJan 05, 2019Virtuoso
Though the allocated frequencies for broadcast TV are below household wifi, compact off-the-air antennas need to do something that full blown outdoor antennas do not. Antennas need to be specific lengths to resonate with the broadcast signal (or to broadcast it). In indoor antennas, whether digital or analog, the frequency determines the length (the shortest length is 4 to 7 inches for UHF), but to get the correct frequency in a small package (especially for VHF which is a relatively long wave length), they must fold and otherwise convolute the antenna(s) itself. Sometimes this is done with circuit etchings rather than larger aluminum parts. The problem is, when you fold an antenna it has a tendecy to resonate at the full lenght as required, but also to some degree to the folded dimensions, which sometimes makes them resonate at other higher frequencies. This is actually a good thing for some antenna devices where an antenna length can be given double frequency duty. If the antenna is being bathed in a higher frequency than UHF (which goes up to about 0.8GHz for regular commercial reception use), some part of the antenna could actually resonate at the 2.4GHz band. Also most indoor antennas are nearly or fully omni-directional so pick up from all directions. And they also somewhat broadcast signal in resonance to what they receive. What's more, pumping strange carriers with digital information into your TV can potentially drive your digital tuner nuts. If that signal is amplified, even nuttier. The filter may help, one that insures that no signal above 806MHz gets to the TV. Remoting the antenna also will help.
- ekhalilJan 05, 2019Master
JoeCymru wrote:
Though the allocated frequencies for broadcast TV are below household wifi, compact off-the-air antennas need to do something that full blown outdoor antennas do not. Antennas need to be specific lengths to resonate with the broadcast signal (or to broadcast it). In indoor antennas, whether digital or analog, the frequency determines the length (the shortest length is 4 to 7 inches for UHF), but to get the correct frequency in a small package (especially for VHF which is a relatively long wave length), they must fold and otherwise convolute the antenna(s) itself. Sometimes this is done with circuit etchings rather than larger aluminum parts. The problem is, when you fold an antenna it has a tendecy to resonate at the full lenght as required, but also to some degree to the folded dimensions, which sometimes makes them resonate at other higher frequencies. This is actually a good thing for some antenna devices where an antenna length can be given double frequency duty. If the antenna is being bathed in a higher frequency than UHF (which goes up to about 0.8GHz for regular commercial reception use), some part of the antenna could actually resonate at the 2.4GHz band. Also most indoor antennas are nearly or fully omni-directional so pick up from all directions. And they also somewhat broadcast signal in resonance to what they receive. What's more, pumping strange carriers with digital information into your TV can potentially drive your digital tuner nuts. If that signal is amplified, even nuttier. The filter may help, one that insures that no signal above 806MHz gets to the TV. Remoting the antenna also will help.
Good information, thank you!
- anengineerJan 08, 2019Aspirant
Thanks Joe. This was very informative. It explains why the TV froze up.