Path: utzoo!utgpu!news-server.csri.toronto.edu!rpi!zaphod.mps.ohio-state.edu!swrinde!cs.utexas.edu!convex!mic!letni!rwsys!kf5iw!k5qwb!lrk From: lrk@k5qwb.lonestar.org (Lyn R. Kennedy) Newsgroups: sci.electronics Subject: Re: Cable Keywords: scanning.. Message-ID: Date: 3 Jun 91 21:16:38 GMT References: <1991Jun3.044218.16908@milton.u.washington.edu> Organization: Radio Amateur k5qwb Lines: 34 amigo@milton.u.washington.edu (The Friend) writes: > > > I read an article on basic cable scanning - the "how they figure out > if you're getting pay channels for free"... It left me with a few questions > though - first I'll run down what it presented: > > > 2> The cable technician can walk around your house with a RF detector > to find out where TVs are located (for multiple hookups & cable > "leaks"). > > Also in #2, can the technician actually see what channel a TV is on? Most super-het receivers radiate enough of the local oscillator to be picked up outside the house. I read years ago about England using this with mobile units to find out who was not paying the TV receiver tax. Some cable companies may have people good enough to do this but I doubt it. Besides they would have to come on your property to determine which rooms the TVs are in. This trick is a good way to check around your neighborhood to see who has police scanners. The older ones radiate well on a freq 10.7 below the rx freq. ------------------------------------------------------------------------- lrk@k5qwb.lonestar.org lrk@k5qwb.UUCP 73, utacfd.utarl.edu!letni!kf5iw!k5qwb!lrk Lyn Kennedy K5QWB @ N5LDD.#NTX.TX.US.NA P.O. Box 5133, Ovilla, TX, USA 75154 -------------- "We have met the enemy and he is us." Pogo --------------