I recently switched over my TV service from Dish Network to ATT U-verse. I
had used Dish successfully with almost no RFI issues with my low-power HF
contest station or my ATT high-speed internet.
When I switched over to U-verse cable service, I started to notice that my
internet access was being knocked off the air whenever I'd transmit on 40M or
lower in frequency. This also froze the TVs in the house because with
U-verse, everything is routed through the home portal.
BTW, I had put three to four of the DX Engineering #31 ferrite clamp-on
chokes just ahead of each U-verse box, as well as on the power source and any
wires going to the TV sets.
I called the ATT tech support line and the first level of support was
worthless, but at least the rep knew enough to refer me to the next level. I
was
pleasantly surprised to talk with a rep that was knowledgeable of ham radio.
He recommended that we switch channels on the home portal. I was a little
skeptical at first, since all the ATT channels are in a fairly narrow 2.4 GHz
range. I was surprised to find no interference whatsoever on the new channel.
I transmitted on all the low bands on a wide range of frequencies and was
very pleased that the home portal continued to work without resetting.
I was quite surprised to have my wife report that the picture was still
freezing up after we had cleared up the home portal problem. The tech support
guy was surprised, too, so he sent a technician the next day. The technician
didn't seem particularly knowledgeable, but was willing to try whatever he
could to solve the problem. The first thing he noticed was a right-angle
connector on my main cable box going to the DVR. He told me that those
fittings
have been very problematic for not maintaining a good ground connection, so he
removed it and plugged the cable directly into the wall. Problem gone. So
far, so good. I'll be running tests with the TVs next weekend during NAQP.
If I hear my wife screaming in the other room while listening to CW on the
headphones on, I'll know it's back to the drawing board!
Conclusions: I'm sure the clamp-on chokes have helped, but I'm also
cautiously optimistic about the ATT tech support, those folks seem to really
make an
effort to help. I'll post any future issues I run into.
Paul, K5AF
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