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From: nds@dcs.ed.ac.uk (Neil D Stevenson)
Newsgroups: sci.electronics
Subject: Re: Picking up cable tv with an aerial.
Message-ID: <C68pqJ.4xx@dcs.ed.ac.uk>
Date: 29 Apr 93 10:13:31 GMT
References: <jfsenior.734549674@unix1.tcd.ie> <gyJX2B2w165w@inqmind.bison.mb.ca> <1993Apr16.003132.1@wcsub.ctstateu.edu> <1993Apr27.202305.4363@mav.com>
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Organization: Department of Computer Science, University of Edinburgh
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In article <1993Apr27.202305.4363@mav.com>, toddi@mav.com (Todd Inch) writes:
> In article <1993Apr16.003132.1@wcsub.ctstateu.edu>
> ritterbus001@wcsub.ctstateu.edu writes:
> 
> Regarding pointing an antenna at a "leaky" CATV cable:
> 
> >Wow, what a concept!  Does anybody want to speculate on how this
> >"non-connection" would fit into the theft of cable services laws?
> >It seems to me that unless this case is specifically written into
> >the legislation that the cable company would not have a leg to
> >stand upon in court.
> 
> Well, the CATV company, in the US, is accountable to the FCC for how
> much transmission their cables make.  In fact, I've heard first hand
> about how the CATV company asked to inspect the wiring in a
> home/business to find the source of RF leaks.  I've heard many of their
> vans have RF detectors and they keep one eye on them as they drive down
> the street.
> 
> If the cable is leaky enough to have usable signal, I would GUESS that
> they're probably in violation of FCC transmission laws.
> 
> In England they do (did?) require permits to OPERATE A TV!!!
> Supposedly, the "TV police" drove around with RF detectors looking for
> the IF or whatever produced by a receiver that wasn't registered.  I'm
> guessing the purpose was just something else they could get away with
> taxing.  I don't know if the "TV police were/are just urban legend or
> an actuality.

The TV Police are still with us I'm afraid. A 1000 pound fine goes out to
the unlicensed users(if caught).
