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| This is a worldwide problem and in the US there is concern that Wi-Fi interference could affect airport Terminal Doppler Weather Radars that warn against weather potentially dangerous to aircraft landing and taking off. File photo. Image by: Gallo Images/ Thinkstock |
by Shaun Smillie, timeslives.co.za,
24 November 2015
Wi-fi transmissions are interfering with South Africa's weather radars and hampering the ability to spot weather that could endanger lives.
Even Wi-Fi transmitted from households can cause interference, and trying to stop it, said South African Weather Service scientist Erik Becker, was almost impossible.
"You pinpoint one person then seven people take their place."
Becker said the interference occurred when Wi-Fi technology emitted microwaves at a similar frequency to the radars', causing dots and spikes on the screen.
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Even Wi-Fi transmitted from households can cause interference, and trying to stop it, said South African Weather Service scientist Erik Becker, was almost impossible.
"You pinpoint one person then seven people take their place."
Becker said the interference occurred when Wi-Fi technology emitted microwaves at a similar frequency to the radars', causing dots and spikes on the screen.