From Popular Science Magazine:
Cracking Down on Cell Phone Abusers
Forwarding an article from Popular Science Magazine, page 55, November 1999.
Background: Popular Science Magazine is a monthly, about a hundred page long, magazine published in the U.S.A. for the mass market. Its purpose is to showcase the "latest" in technology. It is available on newsstands across the country with a large (greater that one million) subscription base. In general they are pro new technology, although sometimes an environmental issue is addressed. The following is the complete text of an article in the "Newsfronts, Electronics" section:
"MOBILE PHONES, Cracking Down on Cellphone Abusers
IN SOME PLACES, like on the bus, cellphone use is merely annoying. But in other places such as an airplane, it's downright dangerous - and a crime. But soon law enforcement agencies could have help in the form of new technology that temporarily disables wireless handsets.
The advance couldn't have come at a better time. Just this past summer, a British court slapped a citizen with with a one year jail sentence after he repeated ignored a British Airway crew's pleas to switch off his cellphone.
Aviation officials say the phones can interfere with the aircraft navigation systems and controls for cabin pressure and air conditioning.
Meanwhile, cellphone use at at gas stations in Cicero, Illinois - backed with $50 to $500 fines - and EXXON began posting "turn off cellular phone" signs at its filling stations. Research suggests that signals can ignite combustible materials, which is why cellphones pose a risk anywhere flammable gasses are present. The user doesn't have to be making a phone call either; the phones emit radio signals even when in standby mode.
The technology to disable cellphones was developed by a German subsidiary of Motorola. It works somewhat like a walk-through metal detector: An antenna and transceiver at the gateway pick up signals from a phone or pager, then sends instructions to the device's microprocessor to disable certain functions, including the pager's audible alert. So if a cellphone is turned on within the restricted area, it will not operate. Upon exiting the controlled area the process is reversed. Motorola won't comment on the system, but Britain's Civil Aviation Authority says it's studying the feasibility of employing the technology. --- Stephen A Booth"
Some
related
books:
Please
Support
Us &
order
these
books
through
these
links.
Thank
you!
emfsafe
an excellent overview of the current political/scientific
cellular phone situation by B. Blake Levitt, an expert in the field.
BBC News Article
BBC News Article
BBC News Article