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could it be street lights, if so what can i do

amcclean
Rising Star
Posts: 1,817
Thanks: 7
Registered: ‎30-07-2007

could it be street lights, if so what can i do

My downstream marging has been all over the place lately and tonight i started to monitor it to record the time it starts to wild and what's happening on my network.
Looking at my log i'm starting to wonder if the street lights may be partly responsible as just about the time they came on 8:30 the download margin started to move up and down between 14 to 0 compaired to most the rest of the day when it's stayed between between 10 and 14. I was not using the network in any different way to how it was used all day.
I'll keep monitoring it but if it does look like the street lights are indeed the real cause what option might I have. My local green box is one of those ones in the pavement under a manhole, it's about 10 to 15 yards from my front door.
I guess i'll probably not really have any course of action but thought i'd ask for your advice.
Regards,
A
22 REPLIES 22
Skylit
Dabbler
Posts: 16
Registered: ‎19-08-2008

Re: could it be street lights, if so what can i do

If street lights really are the problem, then that is quite strange.
In terms off what you could do your options are limited, i dont actually think there is anything you could do, BUT
You could take an air rifle or something to the street lamp  Wink
zubel
Community Veteran
Posts: 3,793
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Registered: ‎08-06-2007

Re: could it be street lights, if so what can i do

Actually, it's fairly common for streetlights to cause a problem with DSL!
My first port of call would be to do everything you can to reduce the effect of interference within your own home.  Tricks like removing the bell wire (or fitting a filtered faceplate) are likely to help reduce the effect of external interference.  This may even solve your problem completely!
Also, check your nearby streetlights to see if any of them are broken - either not powering on with the others, or flickering.  If any are, then report it to your local council.
Maintain a log for a week or so to try to correlate the problem.  This should give you enough 'evidence' to present to both Plusnet and your local council to try to make a case for a specialist engineer to investigate.
The most important thing is step 1 though - if you can't show that you have done as much as is reasonably possible yourself, then it is unlikely to be followed up.
B.
Mal08
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Registered: ‎20-08-2008

Re: could it be street lights, if so what can i do

Unfortunately I'm fairly certain it does not apply to radio frequencies on wire ( ADSL ) but
If the faulty lights also cause interference to broadcast TV or radio they you may be able to use the Ofcom radio interference service.
read this page:
http://www.ofcom.org.uk/complain/inter/radio/293505/
lingbob
Grafter
Posts: 734
Registered: ‎05-04-2007

Re: could it be street lights, if so what can i do

I raised this issue 12 months ago and in my case, it turned out ot be our security lights.
See this thread: http://community.plus.net/forum/index.php/topic,1336.0.html
At the time, I was using a Netgear DG834 router but since then, I've changed to a SpeedTouch ST546v6 and, oddly enough, the problem is nothing like as severe as it was with the Netgear (??).
Regards .....
James
Grafter
Posts: 21,036
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Registered: ‎04-04-2007

Re: could it be street lights, if so what can i do

I think the Speedtouch's (especially 585) are much better at handling errors than other equipment.
Mark Kelly is a perfect example of this.  He had a pretty shoddy line and then tried out a speedtouch and is seeing a good improvement in performance, despite a very large number of CRC errors on his line.
amcclean
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Posts: 1,817
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Registered: ‎30-07-2007

Re: could it be street lights, if so what can i do

I have filter faceplate from adsl nation fitted and removed the bell wire a few years ago. I'll keep a log of times of street light on times and interference rates etc. I have no security lights so that one's not a problem. When compiled would it be PN or the council i should approach. Has anyone had any sucess in getting faulty lighting changed?
Regards,
Pod
James
Grafter
Posts: 21,036
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Registered: ‎04-04-2007

Re: could it be street lights, if so what can i do

Hiya,
If it's definitely the street lights, raise a fault to us.  We'll then send it to BT, who would ultimately send an engineer and (hopefully) try installing an RF3 filter.  It that still doesn't resolve the problem, BT would then need to riase the problem to the local council, whose responsibility it would then be to fix.
It's not a quick process sadly, as you can probably imagine.
amcclean
Rising Star
Posts: 1,817
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Registered: ‎30-07-2007

Re: could it be street lights, if so what can i do

Hi James,
is the RF3 filter the same as i have from adslnation with the filter built in to the face plate?.
margin is a steady 11 to 12 all morning so far. I'm going to leave pc on all day and night to montor problem and speak to neighbours about running test on their machines as well, sadly they're with sky but if it happens to two non house joining neighbours then that's a positive line of enquiry.
P
James
Grafter
Posts: 21,036
Thanks: 5
Registered: ‎04-04-2007

Re: could it be street lights, if so what can i do

Err, possibly! Cheesy
I've tried looking on their website, but it doesn't actually say.....
Mal08
Rising Star
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Registered: ‎20-08-2008

Re: could it be street lights, if so what can i do

Also worth asking the neighbours if they have the same problem.
If they do - encourage them to report it too - the more complaints go to the appropriate people the better.
zubel
Community Veteran
Posts: 3,793
Thanks: 4
Registered: ‎08-06-2007

Re: could it be street lights, if so what can i do

An RF3 Filter is usually a seperate item used to reduce the effects of localised noise, (although I have vague thoughts of the new BT iPlate possibly having one built in ?)
They are generally used to help fix REIN (repetitive electrical impulsive noise) problems.  There is usually one REIN engineer per team at BT who is specifically trained and equipped to detect this particular type of interference.  They usually carry scanners to detect any REIN and try to locate the source. (It actually works in a very similar way to tuning a portable radio to 600Khz - that may be a step to try!)
I would assume that your telephone lines are overhead when approaching your property.  Is there a streetlamp anywhere near the DP (Distribution point - normally the nearest pole)?
Checking with your neighbour is also a good idea - assuming they are fed from the same DP.  They may not be suffering disconnections but their SNR may certainly be showing the effects of interference - it will all add up as evidence for Plusnet to be able to call an engineer for.
B.
amcclean
Rising Star
Posts: 1,817
Thanks: 7
Registered: ‎30-07-2007

Re: could it be street lights, if so what can i do

Here's a link to the plate i have from adsl nation http://www.adslnation.com/products/xte2005.php
There is a lampost at the bottom of the garden in the other half of the semi detached to myself, the bt box is under the ground and one house to the right. Upstream margin is constant on 25 downstream still between 11 and 12.
I have on all the usual appliances in the house and the figures have not changed no peaks or troughs.
is 600Khz on a normal radio, sorry for the daft question but is that am,fm etc and what figure would i be looking to tune to.

Many thanks,

Podman
Oldjim
Resting Legend
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Registered: ‎15-06-2007

Re: could it be street lights, if so what can i do

600kHz is near the bottom of the AM frequency band - just looked at an old portable radio  Grin
zubel
Community Veteran
Posts: 3,793
Thanks: 4
Registered: ‎08-06-2007

Re: could it be street lights, if so what can i do

600Khz is at the bottom of the AM band.
If you have a portable radio, go wander near the streetlamps now, and ensure there are no bursty static noises.  Then repeat the procedure tonight, around the time that your SNR usually hits the deck to see if there is any difference.
B.
EDIT:  Oldjim beat me to it Smiley