Early Wireless
When the British Broadcasting Company was formed in 1922 manufacturers had to submit their equipment for testing to ascertain that it did not radiate from the aerial and so interfere with surrounding receivers.
Reaction in the aerial stage had to be fixed, variable reaction only allowed in subsequent stages. By 1926 when the BBC became a corporation the restrictions had been relaxed. Receivers were still interfering with each other and in 1929 within a 4 month period, the BBC received 2935 complaints of oscillation which GPO inspectors investigated.
41 of these was caused by the complainants own receivers!
The BBC sent copies of this booklet to those found oscillating under threat of having their receiving license revoked if they didn’t stop. It explained what oscillation was, its causes and cures. It was illustrated with cartoons by H. M. Bateman, the famous cartoonist.
This man boosts he can get Timbuctoo on one valve
There are regrettably some who make whistling
noises in their loud speakers in order to produce amusement
Approach him in a friendly way
Frigidity on the 9.15. A suspected oscillator is doubtful social popularity
Public opinion is the only way to deal with an offender
There are “odd” reasons for oscillation
An elusive oscillator may be caught by observing when he takes his accumulator to be charged
Don’t try and communicate with your neighbours
It is just as bad form as if his garbage were not removed
Detective work on locating an oscillator
Speak smilingly of the awful risks run by an oscillator