Editorial Notes

Radio Record, Volume V, Issue 44, 13 May 1932, Page 4

Editorial Notes

Wellington, Friday, May 13, 1932

‘Q'HE problem of electrical interference is one of the most important matters now requiring attention in the interests of listeners. In certain districts interference, occasioned both by leakage from power lines and from household and medical electrical appliances, is considerable, and occasions very grave inconvenience to radio listeners. It will be remembered that one of the proposals of the Radio Broadcasting Company was to attend to the problem by the appointment of a special engineer equipped with suitable appliances. While that procedure would certainly result in the detection. of the interference, it. would not necessarily imply rectification of the trouble. The actual position is that there is no hard and fast legislation empowering rectification of the trouble once it is located. Both legal and technical points are involved, so that, while all are agreed 2s to the need for action, there is much diversity of opinion as to the manner in which the trouble .can best be remedied. s 2 s TN the case of power-line leaks, it is contended by many electrical authorities that, as their lines were ‘in existence before the advent of radio, they have priority over radio. In the case of some of the earlier installations, the system is such as to make leakage unavoidable, and the only means of rectifying that trouble would be to scrap the plant in toto and start afresh. As against the policy of completely disclaiming responsibility, it is apparent that power authorities have benefited considerably by the advent of radio and the more general use of electrical appliances. Radio keeps people home, and by encouraging longer hours promotes the use of light, thus increasing revenue. It can be urged that they would be serving their own best interests by rectifying leakages, and so inducing an even larger use of radio sets and electrical appliances on the part of their consumers. This argument has been used with effect in America where matiy power authorities have voluntarily undertaken remedial steps. * + N the case of the private owner of disturbing apparatus, the position is not simple. While such disturbances can be easily located, it is

not so simple to effect remedy, for that rests entirely in the hands of the owner of the disturbing element. In the majority of cases, where dealers and radio enthusiasts have pointed out the fact of disturbance and how rectification can be made, individuals have been ready to comply. In others, however, a blunt refusal has been accorded representations. Against that blunt refusal there is no remedy as the law stands. Where interference is occasioned by electrical medical appliances, remedy is sometimes technically difficult, even if the doctor or specialist controlling the apparatus is quite willing to do his best. In such instances, judicious choice of hours the least likely to interfere with listeners is sometimes all that can be done. Where household appliances, such as car-pet-sweepers, etc.. occasion interference, we think that in these days, when radio is of such importance. it would -be a relatively simple matter for legislation to be enacted requiring that the vendors of such ap-. pliances should guarantee that their particular equipment would not be a nuisance in the radio field. Itisa relatively simple matter to guard this equipment from radiation, and in the interests of listeners we are strongly of opinion that legislation. to that.end should be promoted. e ty & WVHILE some listeners who have suffered from interference may think that the broadcasting authorities should solve the problem by erecting stations of such a power as to override any possibility of interference, a moment’s reflection will show that is not feasible-in practice. Even in England, interference still obtains and is a source of definite trouble. All that can be hoped for in this case is, we think, to require that electrical appliances of whatever nature should be sold guaranteed free of radio interference, and that the power authorities should in addition have-authority to exercise control over consumers who instal apparatus likely to create radio interference. Such ‘power must be given the electrical supply authorities rather, than to the Broadcasting Board. The supply authority is in direct touch with the consumer, and given the legal backing could improve the position ,for radio listeners with a minimum of difficulty and inconvenience.