Saorview in Donegal and Microwave Oven

Idir talamh s speir

I live in Donegal, rural mountainous area. I used to use a rabbits ears antenna and obtained RTE1 RTE2 fairly well and TV3 and TG4 with bad reception, and sometimes not at all. I could receive no other stations on the rabbits ears though I know some could get UTV and other stations from across the border. I bought and installed a Walker saorview box on Monday and did not expect it to work (because all the ads referred to a roof top aeriel NOT indoor rabbits ears AND my analogue signal on TV3 and TG4 was NOT good)...however it worked despite the rabbits ears and c&*$ reception they gave for TV3 and TG4, it worked. The signal was so bright and clear I actually cried! I could have got one of the saorview boxes months ago if I had known it would have worked so well. I am really really surprised and very happy, despite the 80+ euro I had to spend on the saorview box (plus leads)....one slight concern though.....when I turn on the microwave it affects the picture on the telly freezes...presumably the microwave when turned on releases some form of electromagnetic radiation (radio waves? micro waves? other?) which interferes with the digital signal (a radio wave?) the rabbits ears are picking up...the microwave never interfered with the analogue signal...I presume what ever frequency the microwave is emitting it was always emitting....what I am wondering is is the radiation the microwave is emitting safe? The microwave is the el cheapo TESCO own brand cheapest microwave...I think I will ask saorview.

Skatedude

It's almost certainly not the radiation from the microwave. but much more likely to be bad earthing which is causing electrical interference.I would check each plug and make sure they are fully seated, both at the wall socket and at the back of the tv and box if they use a connector.

You could also try using a decent surge protector that helps shield from electrical interference.

Idir talamh s speir

if thats all it is I wouldnt worry.....and can live with it, the microwave is never on for very long and usually when a break is on anyway