AirPort interference with cable TV lines

After months and months of problems with our digital cable Time Warner came up with a new issue Iv never heard before. I get both digital cable and internet via cable. Today when they tested the lines due to problems they discovered that when my AirPort Express 802.11n is on and connected to the cable modem. That it's giving big feed back into the cable line. Tomorrow they are going to look into it again, but I wanted to see if anyone has had a similar problem.
Would the AirPort ever feedback into the cable line and modem so that it effected both the internet and digital line for the TV? I know that some wi-fi can effect other wireless equipment such as wireless phones in the house. But, I'd never heard that it could effect other things like the cable line itself.
Worst part is that when the AirPort was disconnected and turned off. You really could see a BIG spike in the line meter reading of the cable company.
Is this something new or is there a way to stop the effect?

Actually you're correct in that both the high speed modem and my AirPort Express are plugged into the same power strip. I keep them separated into the power strip to protect both from any power surges. It never crossed my mind that by having the 2 in the same power strip it might have some odd effect. But, when Time Warner managers come out today to take another look into things I'll move the plugs to different places to see if there is a change.
I know the AirPort Express 802.11n does make noise on our land line wireless phones. Just never had any idea that it might have any effect on our digital TV signals.
The 2 guys that were out here yesterday were here for 3 hours trying to find a reason for the problems. Since they didn't know much about the high speed modem I heard they call their tech support people. In their exact words " There is a drop of 2 full bars when the modem is plugged into the Apple AirPort." They even changed modems to see if it was the issue, but it was the same thing. I just didn't understand why they would be losing signal or getting a feed back onto the cable line if the modem was plugged into my AirPort.
Might mean that I have to dump my AirPort or leave it off and unplugged just to watch TV.
It's a mystery to me . . .
Mike

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Base station causing interference with cable modem

I have a late model apple airport extreme base station with time machine. The unit is placed next to the cable box (that provides phone service) that connects to the modem that connects to the base station. When the base station is turned on and working (we use wifi ) there is a nuisance noise in the phones when making and receiving a call for the first 20 to 30 seconds and then disappears. When the base station is disconnected there are no problems with the phones.
Is there such a thing as shielding for the cable box and/or modem? Or is there a simpler solution?
Thanks in advance!
Luc

Hi thanks for your response.
I use a VOIP phone system provided by the cable company (no phone filters required). The VOIP connects to an analog phone management system called Talkswitch. So I have three VOIP lines connecting to the Talkswitch box and 7 lines leaving the Talkswitch box connecting to analogue phones (wired) throughout the office. So to recap:
Cable company line connects to a VOIP Box (ARIS TM604G).
A modem (Thompson DCM475) connects to the the VOIP Box and to the Apple Extreme Base station (with Time Machine).
Three phone lines connect the VOIP Box directly to the Talkswitch Box. The Talkswitch Box is NOT connected to the Apple Base Station.
The server (Mac Mini) is wired to the Apple Base Station.
When I make or receive a call there is a buzzing sound in the line. Sound disappears after 20 to 30 seconds.
When I turn the Base Station off (disconnect) the buzzing sound disappears.
When I leave the Base Station ON and I connect a phone directly to the VOIP Box, there is no buzzing.
I can only assume that the Base Station is interfering with something. Is it the Talkswitch box or the phone cables?
Should I move the Base Station further from the Talkswitch box? or Use shielded cables (which ones)? Or is there another solution? Or is it a voltage problem?
Thanks!
Luc
PS : I did not have this problem with the older Apple Base Station. Is the new one too powerful?

How do I set up Airport Extreme with cable modem and router?

Hi--
I'm having a house built and all of the wiring for TV, phone, and internet will be centralized in a closet. The cable modem can be placed there as well. In one room in the basement I want to use my Airport Extreme for my iMac and USB external hard drives. In another location of the basement, I'd like to set up a Time Capsule for another desktop and USB printer. If the cat5e comes out of the wall at each location, I "think" I need a router at the closet location. I also thought I might need an Airport Express upstairs on first or second floor to boost signal for my laptop. The house isn't that big so maybe that's overkill. So beyond the router question, do I want to set up a roaming network and have the Airport Express connected via ethernet or just wireless if the thought is that I need this? Finally, if I should connect cable modem to router to Airport Extreme, Time Capsule, etc., in what order and ports does the equipment get connected? Many thanks!!

Welcome to the discussions, Forum Girl!
It would be best to position the cable modem and main router in the central location like the closet if possible. The other devices would connect via ethernet to the wall jacks in each room.
If you could setup a "roaming" wireless network as you mention, this will give you better wireless performance and coverage. This is the way commercial establishments like airports, businesses, etc. are configured for wireless.
The order of connection would go something like this: ethernet connection > cable modem >main router>devices. Devices could be computers, routers, a backup device, etc. Since the Extreme has only 3 LAN ports for ethernet connections, you will also need to plan to install an "ethernet switch" near the location of the main router to provide enough ethernet jacks. If you are planning to use DirectTV, etc or your audio/video devices require ethernet connections (most new products do for updates and extra features), be sure to plan for that as well.
Make sure that CAT5e or CAT6 wiring is run so you will be able to take advantage of faster gigabit speeds.
Finally, it would be a good idea to work with an IT specialist to go over your plans to make sure all the bases are covered. This would be money well spent.

IPhone interference with Cable receiver

So I'm trying to watch a tv show in HD (Cox Digital Cable in Northern Virginia) on my Explorer 8000HD. I've learned that whenever I click the check e-mail button on my 1st Gen iPhone, it causes the cable to cut out and all I get is a grey screen. I have to change to another channel and come back to the HD channel (Channel 727 - DSCHD) in order to resume the feed. I have been able to replicate this phenomenon on other HD channels but not to the degree of channel 727. On other channels I just get brief blockiness and loss of audio before it corrects itself.
Can anyone else replicate this?
Makes me wonder about what the phone is doing to my brain.

Its not the DVR or the TV (unless its a CRT). Its the cables that you have hooked up. Either the coaxial cable running from the wall to your DVR box is not shielded or the cable running from the DVR box to the TV is unshielded producing the signal interference. Same thing happens to my small TV in the bed room when I have my iPhone sitting on the dresser next to it. I've found that in that case it was the coaxial cable running from the wall. I have seen it mess with CRT TVs and it not be the cables. Its kind of strange though its messing with it from across the room, mine normally has to be pretty close to things to get interference.

Airport express connected to iMack with cable modem

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Hello cyclistgeorge,
This may be due to a source of interference.
Wi-Fi and Bluetooth: Potential sources of wireless interference
http://support.apple.com/kb/HT1365
Cheers,
Allen

Setup problems with airport extreme and cable.

I am trying to install a new airportextreme 802.11n with cable (comcast) using a Motorola SURFboard eXtreme. The airport extreme keeps blinking amber. Any suggestions?

Should I connect the modem to the AEBS before I power it up?
Yes, all devices that normally are interconnected by Ethernet, should be connected during the power recycle.
If it continues to flash amber, should I still go through the set up with Airport Utility? If so, manual or let it guide me?
Yes. The following Apple Support article describes the flashing amber status light in more detail.
By default, your AEBS will broadcast an unsecured wireless network with a network name of something like: Apple Network NNNNNN. You would then use the AirPort Utility to make any required configuration changes. The Utility has two basic modes: 1) Assist-me (aka Automatic) and 2) Manual Setup. The latter is used to fine-tune any settings. The assisted mode, should take you through the steps to get the AEBS up and running properly for most common configurations.
Please feel free to post back if you have any questions on setting your AEBS up.

Do I need to connect the AirPort Extreme with a ethnet cable

Do I need to connect the AirPort Extreme with a ethnet cable

Hi Tracy,
I have an airport express connected by ethernet cable to a Netgear modem which is connected to a phone socket. Those devices stay at one end of the house. I can use my MacBook Pro to connect to the internet (by Wi-Fi, no cables) anywhere else in the house. I hope this helps.
Ian.

PC causing interference with Airport Express 802.11n

Hi there,
My airport extreme base station is operating in WDS mode, with an Airport Express as a remote wds.
When i power on a Dell laptop in the house where the AEBS is, the wireless connectivity for any Macs or Pc's connected to the AEBS grinds to a halt. After a few seconds, the AEBS provides zero connectivity. When I turn the Dell's power off, the AEBS signal builds to where it was prior to the Dell being turned on, which is very strong.
The wireless antenna for the dell is not even powered on, and it is not connected to the AEBS via wire either.
Has anyone experienced this kind of interference with the AEBS? I would like to use this Dell on the AEBS network via wireless. Unfortunately, tossing the Dell out the window is not an option for me. Thanks!

Seems the Dell's docking station was interfering with the ABS. Strange.

Problems Connecting to Airport Directly With an Ethernet Cable

Hello,
I have a Time Warner cable modem connected to an airport, and everything is working fine for a wireless web connection. But in order to log on to VPN for work, I need to have a cable connection, not a wireless one.
I turned off the airport connection on my computer and first I tried using an ethernet cable to connect my laptop to the Airport. That didn't work. Then I tried connecting my laptop directly to the cable modem, and that didn't work either.
I used to have a DSL modem in my apartment, and if I turned my airport connection off and plugged into the DSL modem, I was still able to access the internet no problem.
Is there something different about plugging into the airport or the cable modem? Do I need change any settings on my computer? Do I need to reboot my computer, or the airport or the cable modem or all three?
Any help is greatly appreciated.
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iBook G4 Mac OS X (10.3.9)

Hi Alice,
I too have a Time Warner cable Modem and use a VPN with a Ethernet cable connected from my laptop to my Airport extreme. I did not switch ISP's but did switch hardware from a 2Wire portal to the Airport extreme. Could only access the internet and not connect to my Company's network via a VPN. Took a few days but I finally figured out a VPN solution using an ethernet cable hookup to Airport extreme from my work laptop. You will need port setting(s) from your IT department. Below are a few tips.
1) Open Airport Utility and double click on your extreme network.
2) At the top move from Airport and click on Internet.
3) Once there, click on NAT (Network Address Translation)
4) Check mark "enable default host" but use your static IP adapter address from your work PC/Laptop and not the default (use IPCONFIG to obtain)
5) Check mark "enable NAT port mapping protocol" and at bottom click on configure port mapping at bottom of NAT
6) From there your in the advance mode of your Airport Utility, and you add a
service and port(s). I did not click on any service but only defined using my company name and added the port settings.
7 I set the public TCP and UDP ports to 80
8) The private IP address matched the IP address in the Internet NAT setting I mentioned in #4 above.
8) The private TCP and UDP ports are the ports to open for your VPN which I got from my IT department. This can be a 5 digit number where mine starts with a 4.
The above worked for my ethernet connect from my work laptop to the Airport Extreme. I now can connect to my company's network using VPN and continue to work from home time to time. 8-)
Good Luck. My next step is to see if my work laptop can use the same settings for my VPN when I go wirelessly with my work Laptop.
Good Luck....Reener

IMac Model 10,1 cannot connect to Internet, either with cable modem of Airport. Solutions?

iMac 10,1 cannot connect to internet via cable modem or Airport plugged into cable modem. MacBook Pro, iPad and iPod are fine. Reinstalled OS10.6.3with no results. Ideas on where to go next welcome.

Hello,
Though all of these steps may or may not be needed, I'm including them all.
Make a New Location, Using network locations in Mac OS X ...
http://support.apple.com/kb/HT2712
10.5, 10.6, 10.7 & 10.8…
System Preferences>Network, top of window>Locations>Edit Locations, little plus icon, give it a name.
10.5.x/10.6.x/10.7.x instructions...
System Preferences>Network, click on the little gear at the bottom next to the + & - icons, (unlock lock first if locked), choose Set Service Order.
The interface that connects to the Internet should be dragged to the top of the list.
If using Wifi/Airport...
Instead of joining your Network from the list, click the WiFi icon at the top, and click join other network. Fill in everything as needed.
For 10.5/10.6/10.7/10.8, System Preferences>Network, unlock the lock if need be, highlight the Interface you use to connect to Internet, click on the advanced button, click on the DNS tab, click on the little plus icon, then add these numbers...
208.67.222.222
208.67.220.220
(There may be better or faster DNS numbers in your area, but these should be a good test).

Airport express with hard-wired medem router?

hi there. i've got a hard-wired modem router to my mac and a pc. my mac however has got an airport card in it and i'm thinking of buying a usb wifi dongle thing (?) for the pc and use an airport express station to get wireless internet.
Can anyone please assure me that this set up would work:
lounge: iMac with aiport card.
bedroom upstairs: pc with usb wifi thing
living room: phone line plugged in modem router, modem router ethernet cabled to airport express plugged in socket on the wall. hi-fi plugged in airport express with stereo jack.
would i get wireless internet on both machines an my tunes wirellesly available on the hi-fi?
thanks for your patience!
also does anyone know whether i need to let my isp know that i'm intending to use wifi or will it work anyway?

With the AirPort Express Base Station (AX), configured as a "bridge and connected via Ethernet to your wired router, it will act like a Wireless Access Point (WAP). In this configuration, the wired router will continue to provide NAT & DHCP services for both the wired and wireless clients connected to it.
Your proposed network configuration is sound. The only issue I see may be the wireless range. The AX is advertised at 300' for 802.11b (11 Mbps), but building construction materials or other forms of Wi-Fi Interference may limit this range. The end result is that the wireless clients furthest away from the AX may experience weak or poor wireless performance.

I am getting a "connection timeout" message when trying to access my Airport Extreme with various laptops, Play Station 3 and Wii. My Airport Extreme is about a month old; it was working fine until about a week ago. C

I am getting a "connection timeout" message when trying to access my Airport Extreme with various laptops, Play Station 3 and Wii. My Airport Extreme is about a month old; it was working fine until about a week ago. Suddenly, the "timeout" is not allowing me to connect to my wireless network.

It could be that there's a new source of interference.
Use the advice in the second message of this thread to investigate the signal and noise levels that each client sees:
http://discussions.apple.com/thread.jspa?threadID=2347845&start=1
By the way, you've been misled by the poor field labeling into trying to type your entire message into the subject field, instead of putting a one-line topic description there.

Connect airport express with rj45

my internet connection is using a rj11 "phone cable", how can i connect my airport express with it? once i plug it into my AE it seems that my fixed line is "in use" and i don´t have internet signal on it.

It is not possible to connect a phone line directly to the AirPort Express, since the AirPort Express is a simple router only.
The phone line must first connect to a broadband modem.
Then the modem connects to the WAN "O" port on the AirPort Express using an CAT5e or CAT6 Ethernet cable with RJ-45 connectors at both ends.

Does Airport work with ADSL?

Is airport just for cable connections or can it be connected to an ADSL phone line? If so, does it support ADSL2+ etc?

The Airport Extreme has an Ethernet WAN connection that can be connected to an Ethernet modem. It is more common for cable modems to be supplied with an Ethernet connection. Depending on where you are in the world an ADSL provider may supply a USB modem that would not be suitable and you would need to supply your own Ethernet ADSL Modem. In the UK for example you would typically use something like an X-Modem to go between the ADSL line and the Airport.

Connecting Windows XP to Airport Error: "Network Cable Unplugged"

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Problem: The wireless network works fine for the Macs, but when I connect the Airport to the PC with the ethernet cable it says "Network Cable Unplugged", and doesn't connect to the internet. I have swapped the cables, so I know that they're fine, and before I attempted all this the computer was corrected straight to the modem through the same port and worked fine, so it's not the port, either.
Also, I don't think it's the ethernet port on the airport, as I was using it last week with an iMac and it was working fine. But on this I'm not entirely sure. Right now I have the cable from the modem going to the Airport port with the broken-dot circle, and the cable to the pc coming out of the (only other) ethernet port (with the sign <->). If I swap the ports used (with the modem going into the <-> port) the PC works, but the wireless drops out. So that's no good.
The PC is using Windows XP, which is quite foreign to me, so I don't know the tricks. I haven't found any other threads on here with a similar problem, so if anyone could give me some advice as to how to fix this it would be greatly appreciated!

By a "128 bit password," I assume that you mean that you have the AirPort Express (AX) set with WEP encryption...correct? ...and that the Mac is connecting to the Internet without any problems...correct?
If you turn off encryption, can the PC access the Internet thru the AX?

AirPort interference with cable TV lines

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