DELAYS TO COMMUNICATION

Evening Post, Volume CXXXII, Issue 70, 19 September 1941, Page 6

DELAYS TO COMMUNICATION

The effect of the magnetic storm upon overseas communications was first experienced yesterday afternoon at 2.15 o'clock, stated an official of the Post and Telegraph Department today, and became most difficult and general between 1 and 7 a.m. today, resulting in considerable delay in the transaction 'of business. Overseas, shortwave reception at Awarua was described as a "washout" during the most difficult period, but transmission and reception on other important circuits continued, sometimes with difficulty or with modification of frequencies employed. Internal land' line work was also affected from 1 a.m. onwards, but on some circuits only, the more modern circuits not being affected by electrical storms and the earth currents induced.

Electrical. storm effects upon radio and cable communication are not at all infrequent. In 1937 there were three notable electrical storms, one, on April 28, being much more. severe in its effects than the present storm. In 1938 there were three, and one which began on January 1 lasted about a week, land lines in New Zealand being badly affected; again in September of that year earth currents upset land lines in the South Island. Another such storm was experienced in February. 1939, but generally since the outbreak of war and the heavy and important transmission and reception consequent upon war electrical storms have been comparatively few.