CAUSES OF INTERFERENCE

Manawatu Times, Volume LIII, Issue 6630, 8 June 1928, Page 4

CAUSES OF INTERFERENCE

1 Despite the educational efforts, ignorance and indifference continue io play largo parts in tho radiation nuisance. Not that anyone who reads up even in a small way does not understand the evil and, vaguely, tho cause; but that they fail or refuse to recognise the fact that they themselves often are the means of ruining their neighbour’s enjoyment —and, incidentally, their own (says an Australian publication). A radiating set never can be delivering anything approaching sweet musical notes or clear speech. At best there is a mushiness which thickens speech and garbles tones. If in no other way a receiver ownercan tell when his valve is oscillating he surely can in this way. The point where the clearest reception is obtained is the proper operating point. Bringing in distant stations will be a bit more difficult perhaps, but there will be greater satisfaction all around. If every listener-in were to watch his receiver carefully it would be in all probability eliminate about 50 per cont of tho present interference. Occasionally a little interference is encountered from commercial,. , ship, and land stations. The interference from this source is only noticeable when tuning in stations operating on wave lengths near 600 metres, Since the nature of the business carried on by these stations is of utmost importance, the listener-in can hardly complain. Commercial operators are only allowed to use the transmitter for business purposes, and personal conversations are not allowed. Another source of interference frequently discussed and blamed to a far greater decree than plausible is that coming from amateur transmitting stations. First of all it might bo a good plan to tell just who the amateur transmitter is and just what he does. Many people are of the opinion that amateurs are a bunch of inexperienced boys if we are permitted to use tho slang they choose to apply to them, still wearing short trousers. This, however, is a mitaken conception which often leads people astray. Eomo of the most noted radio engineers still choose to bo called amateurs, and many. of the amaturs operating in Australia hold high positions in commercial life. Amateurs are interested in the radio art for the mere love of it, and not for any commercial value they might thereby attain, and therefore they should receive plenty of encouragement.

Since the adoption of the continuous wave method of transmission' by the amateurs in Australia it is quite possible, but very improbable, that broadcast programmes will bo broken up or ihteri'erred with from this source. Of course, if a radio enthusiast has an aerial within a few hundred feet of a transmitting amateur it is probable that he will have a little interference, In this case, however, it will bo found that the amateur is most always willing to meet the other party halfway and do all in his power to eliminate the interference. After all, most of the interference does not come from other transmitting stations; but from electrical devices that are in the vicinity of the receiver. Most of the electric installations of Victoria are under the control of shire and borough councils, and when there is any serious interference from these installations the local body should bo communicated with and urged to get its engineers to do all possible to cut out the interference.