🚀 go-pugleaf

In article <1992Nov7.213033.163@gems.vcu.edu> hleaves@gems.vcu.edu writes:
>I have some questions about RF leakage from a cable TV source:
>
>1. Why does the cable company check for RF leakage? Is it merely to see who
>is tapping their signal and not paying for it? Is it a health hazard? Or does
>it cause interference to other TV's? 

It causes interference to other radio services.  Remember that "cable
channels," unlike real TV channels, are not allocated for TV usage outside
the cable.  For example, 155 MHz is in the middle of a cable TV channel,
but is allocated to police radios.  So if the cable signal escapes from
the cable, the police can't hear each other.  Similar things happen to
aviation radios, hams, etc., depending on the frequency.

Also, any cable leak that lets a signal leak _out_ will also let signals
leak _in_, so that someone viewing TV suddenly hears the police or the
fire department on top of his TV program...

>2. How do they detect leakage? I'm suprised there is enough leakage from
>a leaky system to be detectable. How much stray RF actually comes out of
>the leaks?]

Easily detectable with a radio receiver tuned to the frequency of the
leak.  I've seen cable technicians walking around with "TV sound" radios
(cheap, the kind they sell at K-mart) scanning for leaks.

Some cable leaks are audible for miles on a good receiver.

>3. What is the best way to reduce RF leaks in a home cable system.

Be very vigilant about not breaking the shielding -- use proper connectors
and replace any cable that gets broken.
-- 
:-  Michael A. Covington     internet mcovingt@uga.cc.uga.edu 
:-  Artificial Intelligence Programs       phone 706 542-0358
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