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mosquito devices
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michael769
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Such devices normally operate well above the hearing limit of even a baby. But it is possible that a malfunctioning rodent scarer is the source of the noise.
The other possibility is that it is coming from malfunctioning equipment, the control ballast for florescent or gas discharge lighting can issue a high pitched whine, as can a faulty amplifier (from the PA system). Unfortunately if it is in a range beyond which most adults can hear it will be very difficult to get someone to take the complaint seriously - well I cannot hear nothing!
A company I used to work for installed one to get rid of pigeons - plus it was shaped like an owl for added effect. Next day the apprentices came in and started complaining (although I couldn't hear anything, they were adamant it was the owl to blame).
London Liverpool Street station has had a constant high pitched noise for years. Not sure what it is but I suspect a technical malfunction rather than anything malicious. Similarly the speakers at Kings + emit a loud high pitched squeal which is very painful.
I'm pretty sure its not. I hear it every time I'm on platform 3. Reason might be that platform 1 is never used and locked off with gates. Still these devices shouldn't be allowed.
NLC1072
Member
Feel sorry for any platform/ticket office staff who are under 25 and can hear these things...
I've worked in few such places where I've refused to work unless it was turned off.
I've worked in few such places where I've refused to work unless it was turned off.
I remember there always used to be an irritating high-pitched warbling at Ealing Broadway, but I always thought it was coming from the rather aged tannoy system. This was a couple of years ago. Didn't notice it recently when getting a train from platform 1.
Hydro
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OHLE equipment makes quite a gentle buzz when it decides to make a noise. Except when it shorts. Then it's quite loud.
Those "mosquito" devices are actually awful. Anyone with young hearing is guaranteed to be almost tortured by the noise if they have to spend any reasonable time around them. I know of one private house that has one fitted, for what reason (pests or keeping the "goddamn kids" away) I don't know, but if their neighbours have young folk or kids, I'd be straight on the phone to the council. It's utterly horrible having to listen to that whine.
Nym
Established Member
Considering OHLE runs at 50Hz, with harmonics kicking about at everything but even and triplicate levels (thanks to drawing from 3 phase) and you tail off at the 10th or 15th harmonic the highest I'd expect would be at 650Hz, I don't think that counts for mosqito device levels that run at the likes of 18kHz...
battledroid
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Biggest problem with these systems is that the sheer majority of people tasked with installation, repair, diagnosis etc simply cannot hear the frequency which is being emitted and thus will point blank refuse to admit the presence of it.
I find the whole thing bloody degrading and resent being able to hear such devices when just trying to visit the shop. I think it's rather profound that pretty much every single person involved in the design, development and commissioning process wouldn't be able to hear the god-awful racket because they are, by default, too old..
I find the whole thing bloody degrading and resent being able to hear such devices when just trying to visit the shop. I think it's rather profound that pretty much every single person involved in the design, development and commissioning process wouldn't be able to hear the god-awful racket because they are, by default, too old..
Nym
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Not very, but the councils would need to give a damn first...
DaveNewcastle
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I haven't heard that myself, but . . . .
There is still a dummy owl perched high up in the concourse of Kings Cross, near the gate to Platform 4.
Any connection?
michael769
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There is one in Waverley on the parapet of the building that houses the left luggage place. I had assumed that it was some bit of lost property that they put up their for a laugh, but now I am wondering.
scotsman
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Dummy above lost property, box above travel centre makes a clicking noise to my (young) ears!
90019
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DaveNewcastle
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Well, this is straying further from 'mosquito devices' but it seems that false owls in stations and elsewhere have been installed as pigeon deterrents, with doubtful success! See here.
I bet you never knew that the UK had a Pigeon Control Resource Centre.
[Anyway, if nothing else, it makes another idea for an unusual Christmas gift]
90019
Established Member
I was meaning the box above the travel centre that makes a clicking noise.
I think we have a false owl in the shed, or it might be up on the roof somewhere. The pigeons weren't bothered by it, but the dog took instant dislike to it, so it spent more time annoying him than scaring any of the pigeons.
The mosquito itself is legal, but to use it where it affects a public place or someone elses private property is statutory nuisance. Just tell the council it's a noise nuisance, they have to serve a notice, and 28 days later if it hasn't stopped they can prosecute and/or remove the device and recover the cost from the person using it.
As to using it on a station it is a pretty clear reach of the non-discrimination clause in their Station Licence.
First Great Western Station Licence, Condition 13:
'Except in so far as ORR may otherwise consent, the licence holder shall not in
its licensed activities, or in carrying out any other function contemplated by this
licence, unduly discriminate between particular persons or between any
classes or descriptions of person.'
To say nothing of deliberately creating an annoying noise nuisance on the platform being a pretty blatant breach of contract with any ticket holder who can hear it.
Age discrimination in goods and services is being banned next year. In the meantime drop the ORR a line about this. The phone number is 020 7282 2000 and their email address is [email protected]
As to using it on a station it is a pretty clear reach of the non-discrimination clause in their Station Licence.
First Great Western Station Licence, Condition 13:
'Except in so far as ORR may otherwise consent, the licence holder shall not in
its licensed activities, or in carrying out any other function contemplated by this
licence, unduly discriminate between particular persons or between any
classes or descriptions of person.'
To say nothing of deliberately creating an annoying noise nuisance on the platform being a pretty blatant breach of contract with any ticket holder who can hear it.
Age discrimination in goods and services is being banned next year. In the meantime drop the ORR a line about this. The phone number is 020 7282 2000 and their email address is [email protected]
Nah, bit further north than that. Not sure if it had much effect on the pigeons. Rather have someone along with a hawk to do it.
DaveNewcastle
Established Member
Perhaps there's more than one at Kings Cross then, there's definitely one above the gates in front of Plat 4.
But they had a terrible pigeon problem there for many years, with netting, spikes, new roof cladding and continual litter picking, (and one or more dummy owls) they seem to be much less of a problem there now.
There is a owl at Oxford too, never seemed to have much effect - I've seen a pigeon perching on top of it! That one definitely doesn't make any noise.
rmt-driver
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These are a great idea, install them at every station! A high pitched noise a day, keeps all the riff-raff away!
ChrisCooper
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Which would surely include a reasonable number of RMT members too, afterall many railway positions are available from 18. I'm sure a young person who had to work in proximity to one of these which make them uncomfortable or even was distracting from safety critical duties would be straight onto the union, and if they didn't have one or it didn't work, the HSE or getting legal advice for a discrimination case. Being refered to as "riff-raff" due to their age would just add to their case.
rmt-driver
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I was thinking if there was a platform staff etc on duty, the device would be turned off anyway. As the staff member would be able to keep an eye and would move any riff-raff or troublemakers on.
Also I am led to believe these devices only cause great annoyance after a certain period of time. A genuine traveller won't be around long enough (especially at Ealing BDY) to get annoyed by it... but the people hanging around for a long time, loitering, drinking, taking drugs etc etc.. would get the effect and 'move on'
Oh and for the record, I am in mid 20's and have worked on the railway since late teens!
Also I am led to believe these devices only cause great annoyance after a certain period of time. A genuine traveller won't be around long enough (especially at Ealing BDY) to get annoyed by it... but the people hanging around for a long time, loitering, drinking, taking drugs etc etc.. would get the effect and 'move on'
Oh and for the record, I am in mid 20's and have worked on the railway since late teens!
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