File: CATVI.TXT Updated: November 17, 1995 CATVI EMI/RFI advice from ARRL Headquarters. In a CATV installation, the usual form of interference is as a result of the common-mode signal on the cable, ie the signal present on both the inside and the *outside* of the cable. Some TVs or VCRs are very susceptible common-mode interference. The best way to eliminate this common-mode problem on a 75-ohm TV antenna or CATV system is to use an FT-140-43 or FT-240-43 ferrite core. Wind about 15 turns of the incoming coaxial cable onto the ferrite just before the point where it connects to the first electronic equipment -- set top converter, VCR or TV antenna or cable input. The free ARRL handout "EMI/RFI Package" lists several sources for this core. Retrieve the file RFISOURC.TXT from the ARRL Information Mail Server (info@arrl.org). Another way to eliminate this common-mode problem on a 75-ohm TV antenna or CATV system is described in Mar 89 QST Hints and Kinks. The write-up describes how to use two 4:1 transformers and a 300-ohm high-pass filter to effectively eliminate the common- mode HF signal that is causing interference. If anyone would like a free copy of this Hint and Kink, send an 8X12 SASE to the ARRL Technical Secretary and ask for the "EMI/RFI Package." It contains a quite a few pages of EMI/RFI information, lists of sources for EMI/RFI products and and several Hint and Kinks reprints. Three units of first-class postage is appreciated. An amateur that is involved in an EMI/RFI problem should contact the ARRL section Technical Coordinator (TC). The TC will know of a more local Technical Specialist and or local club TVI Committee that might be able to offer some assistance. The ARRL Section Managers (SM) are listed on page 8 of any QST, a quick phone call to the SM will locate the TC quite quickly. ARRL HQ staff can also look up the TC in the database. Education is also important. The ARRL and Orr Handbooks both contain a chapter on EMI/RFI. I know of only two books on EMI -- the ARRL "Radio Frequency Interference - How to Find It and Fix It" and Nelson's Interference Handbook. The ARRL book covers nearly every aspect of interference problems. The Nelson book is THE book to buy for *electrical* interference, especially if the interference originates from power lines. Both books are available from ARRL Headquarters. Ensure that your own house is "clean". You should be able to watch an *antenna*-connected or cable-installed TV while your transmitter is operating. This is usually enough to satisfy the FCC that your station is not radiating any harmonics, and it is a real powerful point to be able to tell your neighbors that if they can't watch TV at their house while you are on the air they can come over to your house and watch while you are operating. When troubleshooting EMI, simplify the problem. Instead of dealing with 3 TVs, 2 VCRs and a satellite system all hooked up together, work at first only with the cable drop and one cable- ready TV or the cable-company converter box. After that is all properly debugged, add the other components back to the system one at a time, and if the problem recurs at least you know which piece of equipment is the culprit. VCRs are notorious for their susceptibility to fundamental overload. These basic principles apply to any interference troubleshooting. Grounding the shield of the cable outside the house can be effective, especially if used in conjunction with a high-pass filter AND common-mode choke right at the TV antenna terminal. The HF common-mode (translate: signal on the *shield* of the coax) will take the low-impedance path to ground rather than go through the high-impedance filter. CATV grounds should only be installed by cable-company repair personnel. Either use the filter described in the March 89 QST Hint and Kink, or use a conventional high-pass filter with a common-mode choke made from a ferrite core or rod. It is a bit big (2.4" o.d.), but I would use a FT-240-43 core, with about 15 turns or so. Ocean State Electronics, POB 1458, Westerly, RI, (401) 596- 3080, has them available for about ten dollars. If you have a souce of "free" or inexpensive ferrite material, then by all means, try making a choke with this material to see if it is effective or not. If it works, fine business, but if it doesn't, that may mean that it is not suitable material for RF. In that case, try the *correct material*. Get the ARRL EMI/RFI Package. It is free (except for the stamp) and will answer many questions. The bulk of the text is contained in the file RFIGEN.TXT available from the ARRL Information Mail Server (info@arrl.org). If your neighbor wants his or her cable TV problem fixed, it is better to have the local cable company send a technician out to resolve the problem. Send a large SASE to ARRL to request a copy of our "Cable Television Interference Package". This package is a reprint of a three part article series from the cable television industry publlication, Communication's Technology. This article series, written by ARRL Lab Supervisor and RFI expert Ed Hare, KA1CV, is a cable installer's guide to resolving interference problems. If you supply the cable company technician with a copy of this series, that should give them the information they need to fix the problem. The articles also refer to the cable company's regulatory obligations that require a cable company to maintain a "clean", closed system (one that doesn't radiate RF). The members and HQ staff would like to thank the following people for their contributions to this information file: KA1CV Send any additional information or changes to mtracy@arrl.org. 73 from ARRL HQ.