On 28 Jul 2003 11:02:15 -0700, cbe2001@yahoo.com (mx5) wrote:
> Rumours are that a few years back in another country a huge explosion
> destroyed a small town when a petrol station exploded.  Its been said
> that its due to radio waves causing a reaction.  It is said that it
> takes at least ten mobiles to be in use but even so to just have a
> sign up saying switch it off seems very dangerous.  MAybe they don't
> want us to know the truth that these things are jsut dangerous!

Many digital cellphones such as GSM transmit in bursts lasting 1/1000 of
a second. They are also rated at an "average" power of 2 watts. But
since it's not transmitting 999/1000 of the time, when it does transmit
the power must be 1000 times the average rating, or TWO THOUSAND
WATTS. That explains why some home stereos buzz when a cell phone
is in use nearby. I would not like to share a petrol station with a 2000 watt
transmitter. For what it's worth, some petrol stations display signs
near the pumps saying "turn off cellphones". (Also contemplate the
effect of a 2000 watt transmitter on your brain. That's twice the
power of a microwave oven.)