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TV Band Notch Filters: What They Are & When to Use One

📺 In today’s world of crowded airwaves, managing interference is key — especially if you’re using devices like SDRs, scanners, ham radios, or wireless microphones. One common culprit? TV broadcast signals.

If you’re experiencing strong signal interference in the VHF or UHF TV bands, a TV band notch filter might be the perfect solution. This article explains what TV notch filters are, how they work, and when to use them.

🧰 What Is a TV Band Notch Filter?

A notch filter (also known as a band-stop filter) is an RF component designed to block a narrow range of frequencies while allowing others to pass through unaffected.

A TV band notch filter specifically targets and attenuates frequencies used by TV broadcasters — either in the VHF or UHF range.

A DAB or TV Notch filter to eliminate signals in 174 MHz to 240 MHz band

📡 TV Broadcast Frequency Bands (Global Overview)

BandFrequency RangeUsed For
VHF Band I47–68 MHzAnalog TV (mostly phased out)
VHF Band III174–240 MHzDigital TV, DAB, wireless audio
UHF Band IV/V470–862 MHzDigital TV (DVB, ATSC, ISDB)

Notch filters can be custom-built or pre-made to reject specific sections of these bands.

🤔 Why Use a TV Band Notch Filter?

Reduce Overpowering Local TV Signals

If you’re using an SDR, scanner, or low-noise receiver, strong TV transmitters nearby can overload your front end, making other signals unreadable.

Cleaner Spectrum for Wireless Microphones

In professional audio or church installations, wireless mics operating near TV Band III or UHF can suffer from interference without a proper filter.

Block Known Interference

In crowded urban areas, TV towers can create a noisy RF environment — a notch filter lets you “carve out” the problematic range.

🛠️ Types of TV Band Notch Filters

🔧 Fixed Notch Filters

  • Pre-set to a specific band (e.g., 174–230 MHz)
  • Simple and reliable
  • Great for installations where the interference band is well-known

🎛️ Tunable Notch Filters

  • Adjustable to fine-tune the rejection band
  • Useful for field work or environments with varying interference
  • Typically more expensive and require calibration

📦 Inline Coax Filters

  • Plug-and-play form factor
  • Commonly used in antenna systems
  • Often sold as FM notch filters or TV reject filters

🎯 Real-World Use Cases

Use CaseSuggested Notch Range
SDR users overloaded by VHF TV signals174–230 MHz (VHF Band III)
Wireless mic in theater or church470–700 MHz (UHF)
Aviation enthusiasts using VHF radios174–240 MHz notch to avoid adjacent TV signals
Amateur radio operator near a TV towerCustom notch based on local TV transmission frequencies

✅ Pros and Cons

ProsCons
Effective at removing known noiseNarrowband — won’t handle wideband noise
Improves dynamic range for SDRsMay reduce signals close to the notch
Passive — no power neededNeeds correct installation orientation
Easy to integrate with coax systemsCustom notch design requires RF knowledge

🏁 Final Thoughts

If you’re dealing with TV interference, especially in urban areas or near transmission towers, a TV band notch filter can make a dramatic difference in your setup. From SDR performance to wireless microphone clarity, filtering out just the right slice of the spectrum gives you cleaner, quieter signals.

Whether you’re a ham operator, RF hobbyist, or professional installer, having a TV notch filter in your toolbox is a smart move.