Digital radio disturbs RTL4

Digital radio reception is largely immune to interference. Digital radio eliminates many imperfections relating to analog radio transmission and reception. Cable television isn't immune to interference. There has to be done some thorough investigation in these enexpected problems.

On July 19, in Haarlem started broadcasts of digital ether radio. This disturbs the receipts of RTL 4 via the cable. Cable company UPC has receive hundred complaints of citizens of Haarlem, similar protests of cable subscribers almost put out of order the callcenter of UPC.

Via the Vecai, the association of the cable business, yesterday noon UPC has demanded NOS immediately suspenden the broadcasts. According to UPC-spokesman Mark Zellenrath broadcasts of digital radio via the ether (T-DAB, terrestial digital audio broadcasting) uses a very strong signal that makes disturbance happen easily. Noise appears on the TV screen and a strengthen decreased qualitative receipts of RTL 4 (Haarlems Dagblad, July 30, 2004).

Though DAB is more resistant to interference than FM, reception can still be interrupted if the level of interference is high. If the interruptions are regular, bursts of interference from domestic equipment may be the cause. To confirm this, try listening to, say, Radio 3 on FM at the same time when the interference seems to be present. A distinct crackle indicates a burst of interference.

Most local interference is caused by central heating thermostats. To check whether this is the cause, try turning off the heating for a few minutes and see if the problem stops for the duration. You may find that a neighbour’s system is causing the problem rather than your own, in which case check next-door to see if they have problems with intermittent noise on FM, TV or even cordless telephones. Other sources of interference include fridge thermostats, faulty fluorescent lights and very occasionally even electricity street transformers and street lamps (BBC Reception Advice Digital Radio).