In this month's topical discussion pages, Rob Mannion G3XFD reflects on the hysteria surrounding the media-hyped fear of radiation. He also laments the possible closure of Ionospheric Sounding stations by the UK's official science facilities

• When I first read Stan Brown G4LU's letter this month, I ended up laughing!

Mind you, I wasn't laughing at Stan. Instead, I was amused by the apparent media-hyped hysteria, demonstrated by many people when the scary word 'radiation' is mentioned.

I can understand anyone's fear when the reasons are apparent, and one incident often comes to mind when I witness unreasonable hysterical reactions. The event took place some years ago, when I was at a petrol pump filling a (legal) plastic container, used to carry fuel for my lawnmower.

The lady attendant, sitting in her glass-walled cashier's office, looked at me with horror, before rushing out, shouting that I was "breaking the law, the container could dissolve and an explosion could take place".

However, she froze on the spot when I literally screamed at her to not to come any closer, as the lit cigarette in her hand was very near the recently filled container and could ignite the petroleum vapour. It was a case of reacting to one rational, justified concern, whilst totally forgetting the other danger associated with what she was doing (smoking) at the time.

I feel that the petrol station attendant's reaction can be compared to the vociferous objectors who - although allowing their children to clamp mobile telephones to their ears for hours at a time - object to the associated service masts being erected anywhere near schools. And like Stan G4LU, I have discussed the 'mobile mast' situation with someone who objected very strongly to a local mobile telephone installation.

When I politely asked what her objection was, she replied, "Oh well, it's radiation isn't it? I can't allow my daughter to be bathed in radio waves - they're dangerous"! I then asked if her daughter had a mobile. It turned out that, of course, she did, so that mother and child could sensibly keep in contact.

The look of surprised horror on the mother's face, when I'd explained the mobile telephone was in fact a radio transmitter receiver, told me she had no idea at all how the system worked. "It's just a telephone, I didn't know it used radio waves", was the rather bemused reply. The realisation that her daughter often held a radio transmitter against her ear for an hour or so at a time was just dawning!

Unfortunately, try as we might (as radio/wireless enthusiasts), there are times when attempting to explain the subject to the non-scientific, you can actually make matters worse! This happened to me when a middle-aged lady at the supermarket cashier's till in front of me, objected to the laser barcode scanner's 'radiation'. (It was laying ready for use, with the low power laser beam visible, but not posing any danger).

I explained that as long as she didn't look into it directly, she would be safe. She then told me, in that very confident manner often adopted by people who've made their mind up without knowing the technical facts, that "All radiation is unsafe, and it's being beamed at us from everywhere"!
I then asked if she liked sitting in her garden, as she had a pleasant sun tan. It appeared she did, and enjoyed sunbathing

My comment that she was "bathing herself in radiation - from the sun itself" - were wasted as she turned towards to the car park. With a parting comment she said "But the sun's radiation is natural, isn't it"?

"Oh well", I thought. "At least those youngsters I help start off in radio, will have a better understanding of what goes on in the electromagnetic wave spectrum!

Closure Of Ionosonde Stations

Phil Cadman G4JCP (a regular PW author and supporter) is rightly concerned about the possible closure of the UK Ionosonde stations.

I urge everyone who shares Phil's concerns to write to the Particle Physics and Astronomy Council (PPARC).
My own letter is on its way - and we may even be able to help them maintain the service.

Please write to PPARC at;
Polaris House,
North Star Avenue,
Swindon,
Wiltshire
SN2 1SZ.

Rob G3XFD

• In this month's Practical Wireless