What should be the first step to resolve non-fiber optic cable TV interference caused by your amateur radio transmission?

The most common cause of interference in cable TV systems is RF leakage due to loose, corroded, or improperly installed coaxial connectors. A loose connector breaks the cable's shielding, allowing it to act as a small antenna that lets your amateur radio signals leak directly into the TV's feed line. Before spending money or time on external hardware like filters or preamplifiers, simply checking and tightening the physical connections is the easiest and most logical first step. While a filter might help later if the issue persists, securing the connectors is a free fix that often solves the problem immediately.