RC-1010 spontaneously changes channels

[Johnny TV]

Has anyone observed this behavior before? A company I work for uses many RC-1010 converter boxes in various cities. In most cases they're tuned to a specific channel and left there. We've found that some of them are changing from a x.2 channel to an x.1 channel or to an entirely different channel on their own.

Does anyone have experience with this issue?

[winegard]

Good morning Johnny TV -

I ran your question by an engineer. Here is his response.

I have found the RC-1010 on one occasion and several brands of DTV set top converters with unexpected operation. My thoughts are that the tuners are located too close to other devices, typically other audio/video devices including other set top converters.

In one situation, multiple DTV converters were placed in an A/V cabinet as tuners to VCRs. Over time, the tuners would change channels. The conclusion was that the microprocessor in each device was radiating and neighboring devices were affected by the radiated interference. And as things go in electronics, what radiates is also subject to interference.

In all cases, metal shelves and at least 1.5" of space between the RC-1010 and any other device eliminates the risk of interference.

[ANTENNA VISION]

[Johnny TV]

Thanks for the response. Perhaps these boxes are too close together.