[BC] need a NON-technical explanation

[Craig Healy]

> Back then, bloopers were rude and inconsiderate (or
> uninformed) radio listeners who tuned their receivers the wrong way
> or had primitive spark set, and as a result, their receivers emitted
> howls and squeaks that interrupted other listeners.

Rather than spark sets, it would have been regenerative receivers.  There 
were no spark receivers, just early spark transmitters.  If the regeneration 
control on the receiver was turned up too high it would create an 
oscillation that would transmit through the wire antenna.  Essentially a 
unintentional transmitter by itself.  That certainly would interfere with 
local receivers, especially since the average listener would try to catch 
stations hundreds of miles away.  Didn't take much to block them out.

Craig Healy
Providence, RI

... Sent at 4:24pm 11 Nov 2010