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Question by Andi: How to get neighbors HAM radio tower to stop coming through our phone lines, messing up our tv and internet.?
Our neighbor has a huge tower in his backyard. We know it is a HAM radio tower. We hear voices on our phone while we are on it, and hear voices through our speakers in our desktop computers. We have ATT U-Verse and love it, but the HAM radio also freezes our TV’s. Is there anything at all that we can do?
Best answer:
Answer by Secretgarden
Yea, he needs to buy a filter. They go inline on the coax cable, I bet he even knows about them but knowone has complained to him yet so he just keeps going. So he needs to do it, not you but you could bring it up to him.
Know better? Leave your own answer in the comments!
Starmans got the best answer. Most likely you may have to install some rf chokes on your tv and phone lines. Here is a pretty good write up on what you may be experiencing.
http://www.kozyradio.com/engineer.html
Make friends with the radio operator and he most likely will be eager to help you out. You will catch more flies with honey than vinegar:)
People see my antenna and assume I am at fault for their interference,even though it isn’t an operator’s responsibility to fix this most hams will make every effort to help find the fault.Home entertainment equipment are notorious for being susceptible to outside influences.Just ask us we’ll help
Just because it’s a tower does not mean it is a HAM radio tower. He could just as easily be a Citizens Band operator or just a short wave listener.
But if it is his transmitter you are hearing then it’s more likely that the problem is with your equipment. Home audio and computers are not RF (Radio Frequency) proofed unless they are made special to use in that environment. Home use electronics have always been susceptible to transmitter interference because they are designed as inexpensively to manufacture as possible.
Ham radio equipment is regulated by the Federal Communications Commission and has to pass stringent tests for transmitter spectral purity. I’ve heard stoves pick up radio broadcasts… so almost anything that can receive radio signals if not properly designed. Have you talked to other neighbors to see if they are getting interference too?
Talk to your neighbor. Don’t threaten or get all bent out of shape. Be reasonable and polite. HAMs are generally good people and have proven their value to society many times over in times of crisis.
If he is technically inclined he may even offer to help you reduce or prevent the interference. But keep in mind that he is under no obligation to to do so and his equipment is not suspect unless he receives a notice of violation from the Federal Communication Commission.