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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 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