This is only a preview of the April 1996 issue of Silicon Chip. You can view 26 of the 96 pages in the full issue, including the advertisments. For full access, purchase the issue for $10.00 or subscribe for access to the latest issues. Articles in this series:
Items relevant to "A High-Power HiFi Amplifier Module":
Items relevant to "Replacement Module For The SL486 & MV601":
Articles in this series:
Articles in this series:
Items relevant to "Build A Knock Indicator For Leaded-Petrol Engines":
|
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
Christopher Wilson
Phone (02) 9979 5644
Mobile 0419 23 9375
Regular Contributors
Brendan Akhurst
Garry Cratt, VK2YBX
Julian Edgar, Dip.T.(Sec.), B.Ed
John Hill
Mike Sheriff, B.Sc, VK2YFK
Philip Watson, MIREE, VK2ZPW
Bob Young
Photography
Stuart Bryce
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
Pay TV cables are not
a pretty sight
By now, Pay TV is available to several
hundred thousand people in the major capital
cities via the cables of Optus and Telstra. For
the most part, Telstra cable is undergound
in existing ducts while Optus cable is being
strung from power poles. The latter process is
currently under legal challenge by a number of
municipal councils in Melbourne. I can well
understand why.
When cables are strung from power poles, they are about 1.5 metres below
the existing mains supply wires. As well, they are quite thick, about 16mm in
diameter by my estimation. To make matters worse, they are black (naturally)
rather than the soft weathered green of the copper mains wires. In some streets,
two or more cables may be bundled together, making a very substantial rope
which sticks out like a sore thumb.
So far I have just described Telstra cables. “What’s that?” you say, “aren’t Telstra cables underground?”. Well, they are but in hilly rocky areas where existing
telephone services are strung from pole to pole, the Pay TV cables go up there too.
Optus cables are worse. While Telstra cables are self-supporting, strung at high
tension, Optus cables are supported from a steel catenary and have a stress loop
at each pole, so they are even uglier. In the often scenic areas I am referring too,
you have telephone and power wires plus Optus and Telstra cables all strung
from the same poles. It can make an otherwise pleasant suburb look like a hick
town in a third world country.
What I have just described is the cabling as it is now being strung. When there
are lots of customers, there will naturally be even more cables in the streets;
each customer will have a cable from the closest power pole to their residence.
Frankly, in view of the visual mess of these cables, it is surprising that there
has been so little public outcry. These cables are far uglier than mobile telephone
transmitting towers and ultimately, Optus cables will be seen in virtually every
suburban street that has power poles. Under existing legislation, it appears than
municipal councils are virtually powerless to stop their suburbs from being
cabled. Is this for the good of the community?
As cabling becomes more widespread (and more dense) I predict that some
residents could eventually become so annoyed with the ugliness of it that they
will take matters into their own hands and attempt sabotage.
It is stating the obvious but all these cables must ultimately be placed underground. If the companies and their customers cannot afford this condition, then
clearly Pay TV from two competing suppliers is not viable.
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
or injured while working on a project or circuit described in any issue of SILICON CHIP magazine. Devices or circuits described in SILICON
CHIP may be covered by patents. SILICON CHIP disclaims any liability for the infringement of such patents by the manufacturing or selling of
any such equipment. SILICON CHIP also disclaims any liability for projects which are used in such a way as to infringe relevant government
regulations and by-laws.
Advertisers are warned that they are responsible for the content of all advertisements and that they must conform to the Trade Practices Act
1974 or as subsequently amended and to any governmental regulations which are applicable.
2 Silicon Chip
|