A Question for the Wireheads and Radio Guys

1. Does a TV continue to receive signals when it is turned off?

2. Can Morse Code from a nearby operator be picked up by a turned off TV?

3. Can Morse Code from a nearby operator some way come over the electrical circuit in your house?

4. If a TV is off and is making sounds that sound like a high-speed printer (a type of morse code of buzzes if you will) and when you unplug it the buzzes stop, and then if you have an AM radio on with the volume all the way down the radio makes the same morse code of buzzes - what can cause that?

These questions are for my brother who is wondering what the heck he (and the rest of his family) are hearing over both a TV and radio. The TV is in his and his wife's bedroom and they eventually had to unplug when they are not watching because it will wake them up through out the night buzzing like a code. Now, he has an AM radio in his kitchen that he can have the volume all the way down on and it will start buzzing the code like sequence - his daughter, his wife also can hear this.

Any assistance to provide my brother would be greatly appreciated.

Originally posted by Valhall
1. Does a TV continue to receive signals when it is turned off?

Yes, the antenna continues doing it's job. The TV is off, but it may have circuitry designed to keep the the components on but the picture tube off. This is the instant on feature many TV's have.

2. Can Morse Code from a nearby operator be picked up by a turned off TV?

Highly unlikely as the frequencies used by ham operators are different from TV frequencies. BUT, harmonics and improper setup or operation can play into this. A commercial or military application with this is all bets off.

3. Can Morse Code from a nearby operator some way come over the electrical circuit in your house?

Yes, the wiring in your home can act as an antenna.

4. If a TV is off and is making sounds that sound like a high-speed printer (a type of morse code of buzzes if you will) and when you unplug it the buzzes stop, and then if you have an AM radio on with the volume all the way down the radio makes the same morse code of buzzes - what can cause that?

This can be caused by static from a fluorescent light or a standard light bulb that is not screwed in all the away. It can also be from an electric motor with brushes going out. This does not even have to be in your house, but a close neighbor could have this problem.

If you have a ham operator close by, talk to him/her. He/she will not want any problems caused by radio equipment more than anyone else. Otherwise, look around the area were you live for flickering street lights.