Radio Roarer is Located.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 18465, 17 May 1928, Page 4

Radio Roarer is Located.

AT DR. THACKER’S ON NORTH BELT DIRECTION FINDERS ARE EFFECTIVE. The radio “ Roarer ” that has been a source o#"*serious interference with broadcast reception in Christchurch for many months was trailed to its lair last night by three local [enthusiasts. They found it at the residence of Dr Thacker, 96, Bealey Avenue.

For some considerable time past, serious interference with radio broadcast reception in Christchurch has been experienced. The “ Roarer,” as it has been named, evidenced its presence by a prolonged buzzing sound in ’phones or loudspeaker and, except where it was possible to detune sufficiently in order to hear the local station, 3YA, it utterly spoiled reception of broadcast and music transmitted by stations operating on from 200 to 400 metres, usuallv for periods of twelve to fifteen minutes, and extending to from half an hour to an hoiir several evenings each week. There have been occasions when the noise has been heard as late as 11 p.m., but, generally, the period of worst interference has been from about 7 until 9 p.m. Owing to its intermittent nature, there has been difficulty in securing evidence sufficiently definite to indicate its locality beyond that it seemed to originate somewhere in the district bounded by Colombo Street, Bealey Avenue, Durham Street, and Armagh Street. For some time, several local enthusiasts have laid in wait, with equipment designed for the detection of the “ Roarer,” only to suffer disappointment after disappointment owing to the disturber enjoying a “ silent night.” Efforts Rewarded. However, undeterred in their attempts to track the “ Roarer ” to its lair, three enthusiasts set out again last night, their efforts being rewarded with complete success. Promptly at 7.6 p.m., when the “ Roarer ” started up, the party, comprising Messrs A. W. Head (Radio Inspector), J. M. Bingham (of the New Zealand Broadcasting Company), and G. Blogg (of Messrs Royds Motors, Ltd), who were lying m wait with a sensitive direction finding receiver in a car within the suspected area, set about taking definite observations. The “ Roarer ” was so obliging as to carry on long enough for the party to locate it in the neighbourhood of Durham Street and Bealey Avenue. After a careful test it was discovered that the “ Roarer ” was an electrical medical apparatus used by Dr -'Thacker in his house at the corner of Bealey Avenue and Durham Street. Further repeated tests proved the accuracy of the party’s observations. It was not possible to do anything towards remedying matters last night, but Dr Thacker has promised to see what can be done to ensure that the “ Roarer ” shall not disturb listeners’ plea'Sure. Nelson listeners will be able, from the foregoing, to obtain new light on that district’s “ Roarer.” A few telephonic inquiries should locate all the medical electrical machines in the district, and information can be supplied, if desired, as to the steps that should be taken b>' the owner of the apparatus to prevent it from acting as a broadcaster of noise.