19 Radio Unit - Gander, Newfoundland

December 1944 - Appendix "A" to Daily Diary - National Archives of Canada

SECRET

Appendix "A",
Daily Diary,
No 19 Radio Unit,
Gander, Nfld.
December, 1944

Report on Heavy Intermittent Interference Experienced

At No 19 Radio Unit, Gander, Nfld, December 12, 1944

1. Type of Interference (CHL/GCI Frequency 209 Mc/s):

   Downsweep of whole H/R trace every eleven seconds and sometimes to saturation.

   PPI trace flashed brilliantly with each surge of interference at eleven second intervals (see also paras 3 and 6).

2. The first sign of occurrence of this interference came at approximately 1730 hours GMT, Dec 12, 1944. It appeared to be greatest between azimuths 100 to 150 degrees Magnetic, although slightly noticeable at other bearings.

3. At 1915 hours, this interference saturated trace at 350 degrees magnetic, occurring at two and nine seconds intervals.

4. At 1915 hours, the interference appeared greatest at approximately 040 degrees magnetic, in direction of Fogo Island who were reporting similar interference at the same time.

5. The same type of interference ocurred again at 2040 hours but time interval was somewhat different. Lighter interference, followed two second later by heavy interference and after another interval of nine seconds, the light and heavy interference repeated itself at same interval. An interval of eleven to twelve seconds still separated the heavy surges of interference.

6. This interference ceased at 2110 hours, occurred again from 2127 to 2158 hours and finally for a two minute period at 2310 hours.

7. At 0023 to 0029 hours, Dec 13, we experienced interference at eleven second intervals which lowered trace to saturation.

8. All interference between 2040 hours, Dec 12 to 0029 hours Dec. 13 was heaviest at bearing of 295 degrees magnetic. This D/F was fairly accurate as interference only received across approximately 5 degrees of azimuth.

9. All interference occurred with transmitters of RWG and RH turned off.

10. All possibilities that source of interference was on Gander Station, were checked. Everything appeared to be normal.