TV Detector Vans - Page 8 - UK Vintage Radio Repair and Restoration Discussion Forum

Dave Moll · 24th Jan 2021, 4:29 pm

Quote:

Originally Posted by mark pirate

While the detector vans are a thing of the past, I have heard that small handheld devices, similar to a mobile phone are now used to catch licence fee dodgers.
I would love to know if this is true, and if so, how they work.

If this is true, they are presumably only used as part of the "Your premises are being investigated." that TV Licensing threatens.

HamishBoxer · 24th Jan 2021, 7:17 pm

The Russian guy was watching live tv though, so yes he would need a licence.

Radio Wrangler · 24th Jan 2021, 7:25 pm

We seem to have left detector vans far behind in our dust, and got stuck on licencing again so it's time to close the thread (again)

David

Roger Ramjet · 9th Apr 2022, 4:17 pm

Firstly please bear in mind that I have very basic knowledge of TV set workings.

In days long gone, I recall that TV Detector vans could pick up antenna re radiation from VHF / UHF TV's via antenna re radiation from the sets local oscillator even to the extent that they could determine which channel was being watched.

So if TV Detectors Vans were still patrolling the streets:-

1. Could they still do that with the current generation analouge / digital TV's.

2. Could they still do that with a digital only freeview TV ?

Rog

24th Jan 2021, 7:17 pm	#142
HamishBoxer Dekatron Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: W.Butterwick, near Doncaster UK. Posts: 8,931	Re: TV Detector Vans The Russian guy was watching live tv though, so yes he would need a licence. __________________ G8JET BVWS Archivist and Member V.M.A.R.S

24th Jan 2021, 7:25 pm	#143
Radio Wrangler Moderator Join Date: Mar 2012 Location: Fife, Scotland, UK. Posts: 22,858	Re: TV Detector Vans We seem to have left detector vans far behind in our dust, and got stuck on licencing again so it's time to close the thread (again) David __________________ Can't afford the volcanic island yet, but the plans for my monorail and the goons' uniforms are done

9th Apr 2022, 4:17 pm	#144
Roger Ramjet Heptode Join Date: Feb 2022 Location: Leicestershire, UK. Posts: 690	TV Detector Vans Firstly please bear in mind that I have very basic knowledge of TV set workings. In days long gone, I recall that TV Detector vans could pick up antenna re radiation from VHF / UHF TV's via antenna re radiation from the sets local oscillator even to the extent that they could determine which channel was being watched. So if TV Detectors Vans were still patrolling the streets:- 1. Could they still do that with the current generation analouge / digital TV's. 2. Could they still do that with a digital only freeview TV ? Rog