Hi Don.

As an FAA Contract Engineer, I worked at Raytheon in England and Andover, MA and Met Labs in Baltimore doing EMI/EMC tests on FAA RADAR systems as well as other equipment used by the FAA that involved testing RADAR systems. They had several chambers for EMI/EMC testing and some pressure booths for Environmental tests, shake-and-bake sort of tests.

Those chambers (some were as large as a house) were indeed sensitive as well as well "insulated". They consisted of a Faraday cage and the walls were covered with anechoic cones. The floors were carbon composite material. So, I understand what you were involved with at IBM.

Our cell phones just plain did not work as soon as we entered the chamber. I found out about turning off my cell phone when I just forgot to turn it off when in Andover, MA. I was traced by the "cell phone police", who tracked me down and asked me to either turn it off or turn it in... I turned it off and apologized.

Ever been under a hovering helicopter (full scale)? That downdraft is unbelieveable. I was working in California (during my active duty days). We were recovering electronic equipment from a buoy that had broken loose from it's mooring and grounded itself on the rocks during a severe spring storm. Well, the helicopter, HH52 #1408, was hovering over the buoy and was going to remove a rack of equipment via hoist. I knew better, but I reached up for the hoist cable and was knocked on my butt by the static charge. I have a picture at home that I might upload later on today.

And I wholeheartedly agree with you about the distraction issue being a major factor. I had my cell phone in my pocket one day when I was flying. I was focused on the plane and the darned cell phone rang and rang and rang.. I was distracted by the ringing but did not answer it.. how could I!!! I only have two hands and they were both pretty much involved in what I was doing. After I landed, I took the phone, shut it off, and put it in my car.

For the doubters out there, just consider the state laws that have banned the use of cell phones while driving. I'm sure you all have seen someone trying to drive and talk on the cell phone. How many times have you been driving, minding your own business, and had someone run up on your butt... talking on the cell phone with total disregard for what was going on around him/her? Many states are even beginning to ban hands-off devices as they too are a serious distraction. I won't even get into texting while driving!!!!


CGr.