Items relevant to "Digital Capacitance Meter":
Items relevant to "Compact HiFi Headphone Amp":
Articles in this series:
Articles in this series:
-
Precision Electronics, Part 1 (November 2024)
-
Precision Electronics, Part 1 (November 2024)
-
Precision Electronics, Part 2 (December 2024)
-
Precision Electronics, Part 2 (December 2024)
-
Precision Electronics, Part 3 (January 2025)
-
Precision Electronics, part one (January 2025)
-
Precision Electronics, part one (January 2025)
-
Precision Electronics, Part 3 (January 2025)
-
Precision Electronics, Part 4 (February 2025)
-
Precision Electronics, part two (February 2025)
-
Precision Electronics, part two (February 2025)
-
Precision Electronics, Part 4 (February 2025)
-
Precision Electronics, part three (March 2025)
-
Precision Electronics, Part 5 (March 2025)
-
Precision Electronics, part three (March 2025)
-
Precision Electronics, Part 5 (March 2025)
-
Precision Electronics, Part 6 (April 2025)
-
Precision Electronics, Part 6 (April 2025)
-
Precision Electronics, part four (April 2025)
-
Precision Electronics, part four (April 2025)
Items relevant to "Gesture-controlled USB lamp":
Articles in this series:
Items relevant to "BIG LED clock":
Articles in this series:
Items relevant to "40A Current Probe":
Items relevant to "Battery-Powered Model Train":
Items relevant to "TCS230 Colour Sensor":
Articles in this series:
-
El Cheapo Modules From Asia - Part 1 (October 2016)
-
El Cheapo Modules From Asia - Part 1 (October 2016)
-
El Cheapo Modules From Asia - Part 2 (December 2016)
-
El Cheapo Modules From Asia - Part 2 (December 2016)
-
El Cheapo Modules From Asia - Part 3 (January 2017)
-
El Cheapo Modules From Asia - Part 3 (January 2017)
-
El Cheapo Modules from Asia - Part 4 (February 2017)
-
El Cheapo Modules from Asia - Part 4 (February 2017)
-
El Cheapo Modules, Part 5: LCD module with I²C (March 2017)
-
El Cheapo Modules, Part 5: LCD module with I²C (March 2017)
-
El Cheapo Modules, Part 6: Direct Digital Synthesiser (April 2017)
-
El Cheapo Modules, Part 6: Direct Digital Synthesiser (April 2017)
-
El Cheapo Modules, Part 7: LED Matrix displays (June 2017)
-
El Cheapo Modules, Part 7: LED Matrix displays (June 2017)
-
El Cheapo Modules: Li-ion & LiPo Chargers (August 2017)
-
El Cheapo Modules: Li-ion & LiPo Chargers (August 2017)
-
El Cheapo modules Part 9: AD9850 DDS module (September 2017)
-
El Cheapo modules Part 9: AD9850 DDS module (September 2017)
-
El Cheapo Modules Part 10: GPS receivers (October 2017)
-
El Cheapo Modules Part 10: GPS receivers (October 2017)
-
El Cheapo Modules 11: Pressure/Temperature Sensors (December 2017)
-
El Cheapo Modules 11: Pressure/Temperature Sensors (December 2017)
-
El Cheapo Modules 12: 2.4GHz Wireless Data Modules (January 2018)
-
El Cheapo Modules 12: 2.4GHz Wireless Data Modules (January 2018)
-
El Cheapo Modules 13: sensing motion and moisture (February 2018)
-
El Cheapo Modules 13: sensing motion and moisture (February 2018)
-
El Cheapo Modules 14: Logarithmic RF Detector (March 2018)
-
El Cheapo Modules 14: Logarithmic RF Detector (March 2018)
-
El Cheapo Modules 16: 35-4400MHz frequency generator (May 2018)
-
El Cheapo Modules 16: 35-4400MHz frequency generator (May 2018)
-
El Cheapo Modules 17: 4GHz digital attenuator (June 2018)
-
El Cheapo Modules 17: 4GHz digital attenuator (June 2018)
-
El Cheapo: 500MHz frequency counter and preamp (July 2018)
-
El Cheapo: 500MHz frequency counter and preamp (July 2018)
-
El Cheapo modules Part 19 – Arduino NFC Shield (September 2018)
-
El Cheapo modules Part 19 – Arduino NFC Shield (September 2018)
-
El cheapo modules, part 20: two tiny compass modules (November 2018)
-
El cheapo modules, part 20: two tiny compass modules (November 2018)
-
El cheapo modules, part 21: stamp-sized audio player (December 2018)
-
El cheapo modules, part 21: stamp-sized audio player (December 2018)
-
El Cheapo Modules 22: Stepper Motor Drivers (February 2019)
-
El Cheapo Modules 22: Stepper Motor Drivers (February 2019)
-
El Cheapo Modules 23: Galvanic Skin Response (March 2019)
-
El Cheapo Modules 23: Galvanic Skin Response (March 2019)
-
El Cheapo Modules: Class D amplifier modules (May 2019)
-
El Cheapo Modules: Class D amplifier modules (May 2019)
-
El Cheapo Modules: Long Range (LoRa) Transceivers (June 2019)
-
El Cheapo Modules: Long Range (LoRa) Transceivers (June 2019)
-
El Cheapo Modules: AD584 Precision Voltage References (July 2019)
-
El Cheapo Modules: AD584 Precision Voltage References (July 2019)
-
Three I-O Expanders to give you more control! (November 2019)
-
Three I-O Expanders to give you more control! (November 2019)
-
El Cheapo modules: “Intelligent” 8x8 RGB LED Matrix (January 2020)
-
El Cheapo modules: “Intelligent” 8x8 RGB LED Matrix (January 2020)
-
El Cheapo modules: 8-channel USB Logic Analyser (February 2020)
-
El Cheapo modules: 8-channel USB Logic Analyser (February 2020)
-
New w-i-d-e-b-a-n-d RTL-SDR modules (May 2020)
-
New w-i-d-e-b-a-n-d RTL-SDR modules (May 2020)
-
New w-i-d-e-b-a-n-d RTL-SDR modules, Part 2 (June 2020)
-
New w-i-d-e-b-a-n-d RTL-SDR modules, Part 2 (June 2020)
-
El Cheapo Modules: Mini Digital Volt/Amp Panel Meters (December 2020)
-
El Cheapo Modules: Mini Digital Volt/Amp Panel Meters (December 2020)
-
El Cheapo Modules: Mini Digital AC Panel Meters (January 2021)
-
El Cheapo Modules: Mini Digital AC Panel Meters (January 2021)
-
El Cheapo Modules: LCR-T4 Digital Multi-Tester (February 2021)
-
El Cheapo Modules: LCR-T4 Digital Multi-Tester (February 2021)
-
El Cheapo Modules: USB-PD chargers (July 2021)
-
El Cheapo Modules: USB-PD chargers (July 2021)
-
El Cheapo Modules: USB-PD Triggers (August 2021)
-
El Cheapo Modules: USB-PD Triggers (August 2021)
-
El Cheapo Modules: 3.8GHz Digital Attenuator (October 2021)
-
El Cheapo Modules: 3.8GHz Digital Attenuator (October 2021)
-
El Cheapo Modules: 6GHz Digital Attenuator (November 2021)
-
El Cheapo Modules: 6GHz Digital Attenuator (November 2021)
-
El Cheapo Modules: 35MHz-4.4GHz Signal Generator (December 2021)
-
El Cheapo Modules: 35MHz-4.4GHz Signal Generator (December 2021)
-
El Cheapo Modules: LTDZ Spectrum Analyser (January 2022)
-
El Cheapo Modules: LTDZ Spectrum Analyser (January 2022)
-
Low-noise HF-UHF Amplifiers (February 2022)
-
Low-noise HF-UHF Amplifiers (February 2022)
-
A Gesture Recognition Module (March 2022)
-
A Gesture Recognition Module (March 2022)
-
Air Quality Sensors (May 2022)
-
Air Quality Sensors (May 2022)
-
MOS Air Quality Sensors (June 2022)
-
MOS Air Quality Sensors (June 2022)
-
PAS CO2 Air Quality Sensor (July 2022)
-
PAS CO2 Air Quality Sensor (July 2022)
-
Particulate Matter (PM) Sensors (November 2022)
-
Particulate Matter (PM) Sensors (November 2022)
-
Heart Rate Sensor Module (February 2023)
-
Heart Rate Sensor Module (February 2023)
-
UVM-30A UV Light Sensor (May 2023)
-
UVM-30A UV Light Sensor (May 2023)
-
VL6180X Rangefinding Module (July 2023)
-
VL6180X Rangefinding Module (July 2023)
-
pH Meter Module (September 2023)
-
pH Meter Module (September 2023)
-
1.3in Monochrome OLED Display (October 2023)
-
1.3in Monochrome OLED Display (October 2023)
-
16-bit precision 4-input ADC (November 2023)
-
16-bit precision 4-input ADC (November 2023)
-
1-24V USB Power Supply (October 2024)
-
1-24V USB Power Supply (October 2024)
-
14-segment, 4-digit LED Display Modules (November 2024)
-
0.91-inch OLED Screen (November 2024)
-
0.91-inch OLED Screen (November 2024)
-
14-segment, 4-digit LED Display Modules (November 2024)
-
The Quason VL6180X laser rangefinder module (January 2025)
-
TCS230 Colour Sensor (January 2025)
-
The Quason VL6180X laser rangefinder module (January 2025)
-
TCS230 Colour Sensor (January 2025)
-
Using Electronic Modules: 1-24V Adjustable USB Power Supply (February 2025)
-
Using Electronic Modules: 1-24V Adjustable USB Power Supply (February 2025)
Purchase a printed copy of this issue for $13.00.
|
SILICON
SILIC
CHIP
www.siliconchip.com.au
Publisher/Editor
Nicholas Vinen
Technical Editor
John Clarke – B.E.(Elec.)
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PhD, Grad.Dip.Entr.Innov.
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Associate Professor Graham Parslow
Dr Hugo Holden – B.H.B, MB.ChB.,
FRANZCO
Ian Batty – M.Ed.
Phil Prosser – B.Sc., B.E.(Elec.)
Cartoonist
Louis Decrevel
loueee.com
Founding Editor (retired)
Leo Simpson – B.Bus., FAICD
Silicon Chip is published 12 times
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2
Silicon Chip
Editorial Viewpoint
As expected, the 3G shutdown was
messy
Australia is one of the first countries to shut down
both 2G and 3G mobile services – others have not
done it (yet) for good reasons. So many devices rely
on the existence of either 2G or 3G. Most countries
that have shut down 3G have at least kept 2G (GSM)
as a backup.
The few exceptions are Singapore (since the end
of 2021) and most carriers in the USA no longer have 2G or 3G networks.
Virtually all other countries retain one or the other for now. Some have
discussed shutting them down in future but most don’t have a specific date
yet. One exception is Japan, where major carriers plan to end 3G service by
March 2026.
Another reason to keep one or the other is that 4G coverage is generally not
as good in remote areas, so it’s good to have 2G/3G to fall back on if you’re in
an area with poor 4G coverage – something that would seem to be smart in a
large country like Australia, with people living in remote areas. However, I
guess our politicians are smarter than their peers overseas and can get away
with doing this without consequences. (Yes, I’m being sarcastic.)
That is bad enough, but it gets worse. 4G is not really a proper standard and
many phones implement it (VoLTE) differently. That means that some 4G/5G
phones fall back on 3G to make emergency calls. Without a 3G network, they
are therefore unable to call 000.
It gets worse again. The government’s “solution” to this is to force all the
wireless carriers to block all phones from their network if they can’t be 100%
sure they are able to call 000 without the 3G network. This has resulted in
many phones being blocked that do support 4G and can call 000 simply
because it’s so difficult to create a comprehensive list of all supported devices.
Some of these blocked devices are relatively new 5G smartphones! The
word ‘schemozzle’ is the most appropriate way to describe this situation.
Over half a million active devices have been blocked from our networks
due to this debacle – most of which are now basically e-waste. Possibly in
excess of a million devices are affected, and that’s ignoring those that have
already been replaced due to the then-impending 3G shutdown.
Discarding millions of otherwise functional devices can’t be good for the
environment (something our government pretends to care about). It’s also a
big waste of money. Some of these devices cost upwards of a thousand dollars
and were perfectly functional before they were made redundant. Some, like
the 3G devices integrated into some vehicles, have no obvious upgrade path.
A cynical person would say that the telcos must have lobbied for this
situation because it now means that they essentially have a monopoly on
selling mobile devices in Australia. After all, not only can they block ‘grey
market’ phones, they are legally required to do so.
Remember when the NBN came along and they got rid of regular telephone
lines, forcing many people to switch to 3G for services like back-to-base
house alarms, asset tracking and so on? That was before the advent of 4G,
so people who were forced to replace those devices about 10 years ago are
being (or have been) forced to replace them yet again.
Who knows how long those replacement devices will last? Will the 4G
network be switched off in the near future, forcing us to replace them all
again? I wouldn’t rule it out.
You can read more about this debacle at siliconchip.au/link/ac2r
by Nicholas Vinen
Cover background image: https://unsplash.com/photos/purple-and-blue-light-digital-wallpaper-8bghKxNU1j0
Australia's electronics magazine
siliconchip.com.au
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