Page 1 of can tv detector vans really detect?

Something i`ve always wondered. Some people say they`re just there to scare people into getting a tv licence, others that they`ll nail you, what`s the truth?

Yes, they can definately detect!



`I am going to live forever, or die trying`...

They pick up a weak signal given off by your tv of the channel being watched. I think that`s how it works, if not the others here will put up the correct way its done.

I gonna kill that firefox spellchecker, and enjoy doing it.

TV signals are sent out between 500 and 800 MHz frequencies, depending on which channel is being transmitted. However your TV set tunes this frequency to an intermediate frequency of around 39 MHz, so that any channel can be received without having to alter any of the components each time. The receiving TV radiates some of these intermediate frequency radio signals.

TV detector vans send out signals at this same intermediate frequency which makes any tuned on TV in the area resonate, increasing the strength of the intermediate frequency that they're sending out, making it easier for the vans to detect them.

BTW, had to double check on that one. ;-)

The old brains suffering from `too-much-Grolsch-itis` this morning. The pringles got a hammering too, as I seem to recall................

and just remember they CANT come in your house if they knock on your door no matter how much they try and say they can/want to,cos they aint gonna goto the expence of a warrant and they cant come in without one

Quite true vernall, but they can shove a court summons through your letterbox.......

yep, the detector vans do work, but from what i hear they are not used much now (Father in law is a licence man!). he gets a list of calls every week and he knocks on the door this is how most of the work is now done. you are right you dont have to let them but they do return with the police and a search warrent!

Are you sure they return with a warrant?

My next door neighbour has not paid his license for the last 3 years. When they knock he never opens the door for them and if he did he wouldn`t let them in under any circumstances.

I doubt courts are willing to issue search warrants for such a minor allegations.

In all the years people have been prosecuted in court for not having a TV licence,evidence from a TV detector van as never been used or presented in any court.
There are vans,but with nothing in, just run them round a council estate to scare,they use lists from registar of electors against thiose who have purchased one and those that have not.
Quote:
My next door neighbour has not paid his license for the last 3 years. When they knock he never opens the door for them and if he did he wouldn`t let them in under any circumstances.
Best way to go if you dont want to buy a TV licence, if you do answer the door refuse to talk to them and shut the door,nevere,never let them in your house. :)

This item was edited on Monday, 28th March 2005, 12:29