Tag: RF

Element Ewos1 Wireless Indoor Outdoor Speakers – 3 Reasons These Speakers Rock

When you are doing your research on speakers and trying to find out the ones that are the best for you there may be some confusion as to what you need and what speakers offer you. You of course want to find a speakers that meets your needs but you also do not want a speaker that breaks the bank. We are going to take a look at Element Ewos1 Wireless Indoor Outdoor Speakers their features and benefits and see if they are a good buy for to meet your needs in your next speaker purchase.

When looking for a speaker one of the things you are looking for should be the ability to move the speaker to any area that you may want to move the speaker. This is easy when you have a wireless speaker. You can easily set the Element Ewos1 Wireless Indoor Outdoor Speakers within a range of up to 150 feet from the transmitter without having to worry about the transmission of the signal fading. You will always get a crisp,clear sound. These speakers are also easy to put in any area because they are indoor outdoor wireless speakers — this means that they are waterproof and can easily be placed outside without worrying about your new speakers being violated by the elements that may attack.

Another great thing about these speaker is it’s sleek design. You can easily see how attractive this speaker can be in any environment. It kind of reminds me of a futuristic product because of it’s streamlined robot look. You can easily put it in your garden to add a little shine.

The third thing that really stuck out in my mind was the fact that with these wireless speakers there is no need to make sure there is a clear line of sight between the speakers and the transmitter or the transmitter and the remote. You can easily place your speakers on the other side of a wall or place any other sort of obstruction between them and there will be no interference. These speakers work off of RF technology which is more reliable and convenient than infrared control. Now you have a new element to add to your next pool/spa party or any other outdoor event that you can think of. It is now fun,easy and simple to add a little sound to that event. Make it extra special.

Cell Phone Tower Just How Far Is Safe

Do you live within a quarter mile of a cell phone tower? If you do, your health may be at risk, according to two separate studies from Germany and Israel..

German study: 3 times greater risk of cancer

Doctors living in the Southern German city of Naila conducted a study to learn whether a population living close to two transmitter antennas installed in 1993 and 1997 had increased risk of developing cancer.

Nearly 1,000 patients participated in the research, all of whom resided at the same address during the entire observation period of 10 years. With negligible differences in social, etchnic, environment, and age factors, what they found is quite revealing: the proportion of newly developed cancer cases was three times higher among those whose homes were located at a distance of up to 400m (about 1300 feet) from the cellular transmitter site, compared to those living further away. These same patients also fell ill on average 8 years earlier relatively.

Computer simulation and measurements used in the study both showed that radiation in the affected area (within 1300 feet) is 100 times higher compared to the outer area, mainly due to additional emissions coming from the secondary lobes of the transmitter.

The first 5 years of data didnt reveal any significant increased risk However, for the next five years (period 1999 to 2004), the odds ratio for getting cancer was 3.38 higher in the affected area compared to those outside. Breast cancer topped the list, but cancers of the prostate, pancreas, bowel, skin melanoma, lung and blood cancer were all increased

Israel study: fourfold cancer risk

Another study from Israel’s Tel Aviv University examined 622 people living near a cell-phone transmitter station for 3-7 years. The test subjects were patients in one clinic in Netanya and compared them against 1,222 control patients from a nearby clinic. Participants were very closely matched in environment, workplace and occupational characteristics. The people in the first group lived within a half circle of 350m (1148 feet) radius from the transmitter, which came into service in July 1996.

The results were startling. Out of the 622 patients who lived close to the transmitter, 8 cases of different kinds of cancer were diagnosed in a period of just one year (July 1997 to June 1998): 3 cases of breast cancer, one of ovarian cancer, lung cancer, Hodgkin’s disease (cancer of the lymphatic system), osteoid osteoma (bone tumour) and kidney cancer. This compares with 2 per 1 222 in the matched controls of the nearby clinic. The relative risk of cancer was 4.15 higher for those living near the cell-phone transmitter compared with the entire population of Israel.

Women were found to be more susceptible. As seven out of eight cancer cases were women, the relative cancer rates for females were 10.5 for those living near the transmitter station and 0.6 for the controls relative to the whole town of Netanya. One year after the close of the study, 8 new cases of cancer were diagnosed in the affected area compared to two in the control area.

How to Locate the Cell Phone Towers and Antennas Near You

Obviously, studies like those above can be quite disconcerting. Visit antennasearch.com and you’d be surprised at the number of cell phone transmitters and antennas planted virtually in your backyard. This site will show their exact locations and distances from your home or place of work. It also pinpoints future tower locations, helpful information for those considering buying a home.

Whats the difference between a tower and an antenna? Towers are tall structures where antennas are installed. A typical tower may easily hold over 10 antennas for various companies. Antennas, on the other hand, are the actual emitters of signals for various radio services including cellular, paging and others. Antennas are placed on high towers or can be installed by themselves (stand alone) on top of buildings and other structures.

As an example, I’ve located 3 cell phone towers and 22 antennas within a quarter mile from where I live, with the closest one at 845 feet.. And this is in a relatively quiet residential neighborhood by the ocean in the small city of Hilo in Hawaii. As you may guess, I did my research only well after we’ve moved in. Fortunately, we’re here on just a lease and we’ll be a bit wiser next time we look for a new home.

What to Do If You Live Near a Cell Phone Transmitter

Short of relocating, there are some things you can do to counter the effects of electromagnetic radiation (EMR). The Safe Wireless Initiative of the Science and Public Policy Institute in Washington, DC, outlines three levels of intervention in accordance with the public health paradigm that everyone can apply. Here are our suggestions based on these guidelines:

The primary means of intervention is through avoidance or minimizing actual exposure. This simply means avoiding contact with EMR as much as possible. In case of a cell phone tower close to your home, this could mean using specially formulated RF shield paint, shielding fabric, shielding glass or film for windows, etc. Although they may sound extreme, these measures are a life-saver for someone who suffers from electrosensitivity, a condition in which a person experiences physical symptoms aggravated by exposure to electromagnetic fields.

The secondary means of intervention is to minimize the effects of exposure. This includes the use of devices that help dissipate the chaotic energies on the biofield caused by EMR. A biofield is the matrix of weak electromagnetic signals that the body’s cells use to communicate with each other. EMR disrupts these signals, causing the cells to harden and trap toxins and waste products inside–including free radicals known to result in cellular dysfunction and interference with DNA repair. A scientifically validated bioenergetic device, which usually comes in the form of a pendant, chip or plug-in device, helps strengthen the biofield and maintain proper communications between the cells.

The third means of intervention is to help reverse any damage thats already done. This includes nutritional support such as anti-oxidant supplementation to help counter the effects of free radicals. Supplementing with anti-oxidants SOD, catalase, glutathione, and Coq10 are especially recommended. Microwave radiation has been shown to decrease levels of these anti-oxidants that the body normally produces to protect itself. These levels are sensitive indicators in stress, aging, infections and various other disease states.

By taking as much preventive measures as you can from the primary, secondary and tertiary means of intervention, you are providng yourself and your family multiple layers of protection from this modern environmental stressor.

(Ref: Safewireless.org article for the cell tower studies. See Dr. Gerald Goldberg’s book, “Would You Put Your Head in a Microwave Oven?’ for more information regarding nutritional support against RF/microwave radiation.)

(Note: This article is shared for educational purposes only and does not constitute medical advice. If you believe that you have a health problem, see your doctor or health professional immediately.)

Gps Antenna Selection For Embedded Applications

As more electronics are stuffed into ever decreasing sized enclosures and at a lower cost, it looks like corners are starting to be cut with respect to good engineering practice at the design stage. Below are some pointers with respect to designing in GPS antennas into handheld equipment. The experience is gained from being involved with the design of GPS equipment since 1994.

The most important item to consider is the best siting for the antenna. Even with today’s latest generation chipsets, a GPS antenna still needs a clear view of the sky especially during first acquisition when it needs to download the latest ephemeris data or on some occasions, a complete almanac.

This almanac and ephemeris data provides a virtual map to the GPS receiver allowing it to know the current and future locations and status of the satellites, relevant for that particular location. The almanac is a long-term picture of what the whole GPS network is doing whilst the ephemeris is for a short-term picture. The delay when the GPS receiver is first switched on is due to the latest ephemeris data being downloaded, which is essential for the GPS receiver. The data is valid for around 4 hours and takes approximately 20 seconds with a clear line of site to a satellite. It takes longer if using multiple satellites, for instance if the GPS receiver is moving during first acquisition.

The antenna needs to be facing the sky through a non-metallic enclosure. A metallic enclosure will prevent the RF signal being received by the antenna and cause a Faraday cage effect. Likewise, positioning the antenna near to obstructions such as laptop screen or where hands will be over the antenna should also be avoided, as the shielded will have a negative performance.

Try to avoid routing cables across other electronic equipment or backs of screens, instead try to route around the perimeter of active electronic components. Whilst it is a good idea to keep the cable relatively short, (thin RF coaxial cable used on electronic equipment has quite a high loss at 1575.42 MHz) and is susceptible to interference. However, length consideration is not essential as most GPS antennas have a 1 or 2 stage pre amplifier depending on GPS receiver used.

When designing in a GPS antenna, do not always look for the smallest possible antenna. Although this can seem attractive, particularly in hand held equipment when size is everything, the effect of a smaller GPS antenna means it is more sensitive to de-tuning.

Why? GPS works on a spot frequency of 1575.42MHz rather than a frequency range. This means that when other materials cover it – human tissue, laptop screens, it detunes the antenna away from this frequency. The smaller the antenna, the more susceptible it is to the detuning effect, which results in lack of GPS signal received.

The feedback I have received whilst helping engineers with the design in is that 25mm x 25mm patch antennas are too large but work well, whilst the 10x10mm patch antennas tick the size requirements box, however take at least 20 minutes to get into navigation. Similarly, helical antennas sound good on paper, but during field tests are poor versus a patch antenna with a comparable pre amplifier.

The sweet spots seems to be around 17x17mm. The thickness of the antenna with amplifier underneath is also now being overcome with 2mm thick ceramics now commonplace which now gives an overall thickness of around 6mm.

As old GPS users may recall, selective availability was switched off on 1st May 2000 by the US Department of Defence. This immediately gave an improved GPS navigation performance from 100m down to 10-15 metres on civilian acquired equipment. At the same time the power output from the satellites was increased.

Over 10 years on, this has resulted in a variety of GPS receiver and antenna combinations being required depending on environment the equipment will be used in.

From the antenna perspective, 1 stage Low Noise Amplifiers (LNA’s) or 2 stage LNA’s are now available on embedded GPS antennas to optimise the final design. 1 stage designs provide a gain of around 16-20dB and are reliant on either the GPS receiver having its own antenna or a very short cable run.

A 2 stage LNA provides a gain of between 25-30dB and are more popular on antennas where the GPS receiver does not have an amplifier or is unknown. Although the preconception of the higher the gain the better, this is not always true. If the gain is too high constantly, this can have an oversaturation effect on the GPS receiver, desensitising the RF front end over time and causing poor navigation. Liken it to shouting in someone’s ear. It will be very loud and the message may still not get across!

What To Do About Hidden Cameras At Your Tanning Salon

Many clients of salons enjoy using the services of their tanning beds. Many upscale tanning salons are available with reasonable prices, and the simplicity and comfort of these places is very popular. It is often impossible (given the weather) or cumbersome (dealing with tanning lamps or instant tans) to get tan outside or at home, so more commonly a salon is used for those that want to keep their tan year round.

Some question has arisen from stories in the news about the safety and privacy of these tanning salons. There have been cases reported where someone has installed a camera in either the tanning bed or the changing area. A client’s naked pictures could be used for various purposes, including particularly posting online. The police have even raided some tanning salons that were engaging in this sleazy operation. In many cases they have found wireless cameras hidden in many locations in the tanning rooms.

Certainly, every tanning salon is not doing this, or even many of them. But it is a good idea that you are not one of the unlucky ones that visits a salon that is breaking the law and violating your privacy. There are ways that you can protect yourself from it ever happening to you. Look into the reputation of a salon and see if there have been any complaints or allegations against the business.

In addition, you can look for the hidden cameras yourself. While you are in the room for changing, first look to see if there are any cameras visible peeking behind vents or gaps in the ceiling. Of course, some cameras are as small as a pin, so it isn’t possible to detect all of them that way. That’s when the hidden camera detector comes in.

Using a camera detector couldn’t be easier. Camera detectors are small in size and can be carried in your purse or pocket. They work by detecting the RF signal that cameras emit. When they find something they beep and flash lights in proximity. So you should definitely wave them all around the room and tanning bed. If you find anything, leave immediately, and contact the authorities if you wish.

So it is nice to know that you can choose a tanning salon without worry that you will be taken advantage of in that way. The sleazy spa owners will never predict that you were smarter than his cameras!