Publisher & Editor-in-Chief
Leo Simpson, B.Bus., FAICD
Editor
Greg Swain, B.Sc.(Hons.)
Technical Staff
John Clarke, B.E.(Elec.)
Robert Flynn
Rick Walters
Reader Services
Ann Jenkinson
Advertising Manager
Brendon Sheridan
Phone (03) 9720 9198
Mobile 0416 009 217
Regular Contributors
Brendan Akhurst
Garry Cratt, VK2YBX
Julian Edgar, Dip.T.(Sec.), B.Ed
John Hill
Mike Sheriff, B.Sc, VK2YFK
Ross Tester
Philip Watson, MIREE, VK2ZPW
Bob Young
Photography
Glenn A. Keep
SILICON CHIP is published 12 times
a year by Silicon Chip Publications
Pty Ltd. A.C.N. 003 205 490. All
material copyright ©. No part of
this publication may be reproduced
without the written consent of the
publisher.
Printing: Macquarie Print, Dubbo,
NSW.
Distribution: Network Distribution
Company.
Subscription rates: $54 per year
in Australia. For overseas rates, see
the subscription page in this issue.
Editorial & advertising offices:
Unit 34, 1-3 Jubilee Avenue, Warrie
wood, NSW 2102. Postal address:
PO Box 139, Collaroy Beach, NSW
2097. Phone (02) 9979 5644. Fax
(02) 9979 6503.
PUBLISHER'S LETTER
Cellular phones &
Radio Australia
Two topics require comment this month and
the first of these concerns cellular phones. There
have been recent reports in the media about a
possible link between using cellular phones and
cancer. Dr Michael Repacholi, from the Royal
Adelaide Hospital, and well known in the field,
has conducted tests involving mice which were
exposed to radiation at 900MHz, the frequency
used for cellular phones.
Following these tests, there has been an
announcement that European Union scientists will spend $35.4 million looking
into the interaction been cellular phones and living tissue.
These reports will no doubt cause many people a lot of concern, as indeed
they should. I am amazed at the amount of time that some people spend glued
to a cellular phone. The phone’s antenna radiates directly into your head and
while it may not penetrate very deeply according to theory, prolonged exposure
can’t be good.
We’ve also had reports that some cellular phones can cause some people
headaches. At this stage, we have no evidence that these reports are true but it
would not surprise us if they were. If you do experience headaches when using
a cellular phone, we strongly suggest that you: (1) stop using it; and (2) return
it to the retailer where you purchased it. It may just be that the unit is radiating
more power than it is supposed to.
The second topic worthy of comment is the cutting back of Radio Australia’s
operations. There has been a media frenzy over this topic but most of it does not
seem very logical.
The first point made in defence of Radio Australia is that it is important to
Australia’s trade prospects in Asia. I don’t for a minute believe this. In these days
of worldwide satellite broadcasts, I can’t imagine too many Asian businessmen
being influenced one way or the other about whether to trade with Australia.
Second, we are told that for $23 million and 200-odd staff Radio Australia
provides 368 hours of programming in nine languages. By comparison with the
cost of running the Voice of America, etc, this is regarded as something of a bargain. My reaction to this is why does it cost so much to rehash local news? That
is $115,000 spent for each member of the staff.
Third, we are told that Radio Australia reaches untold millions throughout
Asia and that they rely on our fair and objective reporting of events. Does anyone
really believe that? How many people in Australia actually listen to any shortwave
radio broadcasts on a regular basis? Very, very few! It can’t be much different in
most parts of Asia either as even the smallest villages are able to receive satellite
TV services and they do have their own radio stations, after all. This concept of
remote villagers hanging on every word of a foreign broadcast might have been
true 30 years ago but no longer. Radio Australia might be worth keeping but the
reasons raised for keeping it have been pretty weak so far.
Leo Simpson
ISSN 1030-2662
WARNING!
SILICON CHIP magazine regularly describes projects which employ a mains power supply or produce high voltage. All such projects should
be considered dangerous or even lethal if not used safely. Readers are warned that high voltage wiring should be carried out according to the
instructions in the articles. When working on these projects use extreme care to ensure that you do not accidentally come into contact with
mains AC voltages or high voltage DC. If you are not confident about working with projects employing mains voltages or other high voltages,
you are advised not to attempt work on them. Silicon Chip Publications Pty Ltd disclaims any liability for damages should anyone be killed
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