I was recently speaking to an officer from Cumbria Constabulary who mentioned Tetra/Airwave was going live in June. When asked if he was not concerned about the health risks he said. No, we've looked into all that. Surprising then that he wasn't aware of the situation in Lancashire Police with a locla officer telling me that in the control room there were 6 call handlers off with brain tumours.

From Mast Network

Big US company Motorola is deeply involved in Tetra. There is much U.S. govt. pressure to promote it around the world - but not in America. Note the Pentagon announced (July 2003) a $15.8 million contract with big M. for a Tetra based system for the 'Baghdad Police' (albeit the Pentagon couldn't explain at that time what constituted the 'Baghdad Police Force'!)

Airwave have been assiduous in using the forthcoming G8 Conference at Gleneagles, in July, as a lever on local planning authorities and the network is complete in the relevant territories. As Viv. anticipates, it would appear to be an ideal demonstration ground for the wonders of Airwave.

10,000 police officers, many firearmed, drawn from Scotland and England will be involved and there will be the usual hidden military reserve for the possibility that things don't go as hoped. Regardless of how they go, as Vivienne suggests, it will become 'a triumph' for tetra and Airwave.

Late in 2004, the home force, Tayside, had claimed to be 'undecided' on the extent of Airwave use, for the G8 venue, but it is bound to be there at some level, with both police and mil.

Arthur

From Mast Network

02 March 2005 11:27

Campaigners have refused to give up the fight against a controversial mobile phone mast and will appeal against a decision to get it switched back on.

Telecommunications company O2 has been involved in a long-running battle with campaigners over the siting of a mast on top of the police station in Yarmouth Road, North Walsham.

Last month the Evening News reported how senior politicians at North Norfolk District Council said they would have to back down on plans to take the long running North Walsham issue to the High Court, partly because of the substantial cost.

But Matthew Pennington, a member of the Campaign Against Tetra Siting (CATS) who lives on the same road as the mast, said the campaigners themselves would now be taking up the fight.

"We have now appealed the planning inspector's decision against the North Walsham mast," said Mr Pennington, who lives with his wife Rachel Kirk and three-year-old son Henry.

"We're trying for legal aid. We will be asking the planning inspector to reconsider their decision in light of the fact that health effects were not fully taken into account.

"It will be my son Henry who is appealing specifically but then any health effects with people in the region will get added to the case if we get that far."

A London barrister told council leaders that chances of success were slim and a loss in court could lay the council open to substantial costs.

But the campaigners have found an environmental solicitor in Cambridge who is willing to take their case.

"He's had advice from barristers that we've got a case that's worth pursuing," said Mr Pennington. "The solicitor is very respected and has a reasonable expertise in these matters."

The campaigner said he would like to hear from anyone else who might have experienced health effects as they just had a couple of weeks to gather evidence.

"I would feel bad if I didn't at least try," said Mr Pennington, who told the Evening News in January that he might have to move for the safety of his young son.

The Evening News has campaigned against the installation of mobile phone masts near homes and schools until it is proved they are safe.

Families believe the Tetra mast, installed as part of the emergency services Airwave communications system, has caused health problems for people living in the area.

Concerns led the council to refuse planning permission for the original mast and subsequently serve two notices on the slightly altered mast that O2 claimed did not need planning permission.

The notices led to the mast being switched off. The drawn-out row eventually saw a planning inspector allow the mast to be switched back on just a few weeks ago.

A spokeswoman for O2 Airwave said: "The planning inspector has been clear in his decision about the siting of the mast on North Walsham police station.

"The site now gives effective coverage for Norfolk police in the area."

The spokeswoman said she respected the public's right to seek a judicial review, but added it was disappointing that people were being made fearful of the move to the new communication system through "misinformation and rumour".

"It's been delivered to 48 of 51 geographical police forces in the country," she added.


From Mast Network

A useful debate yesterday; good to have this all on parliamentary record. Worth reading Hansard:

http://www.parliament.the-stationery-office.co.uk/pa/cm200405/cmhansrd/cm050301/halltext/50301h03.htm#50301h03_head0

Andy

From Mast Network

HOLYHEAD residents, whose television reception has been disturbed by a TETRA mast, will have to pay out to resume normal service.

The terrestrial trunked radio mast, which allows for complete police coverage of the country, was installed on the roof of the town´s police station shortly before Christmas. Ever since, around 200 people in the vicinity have been affected by poor-quality television reception, including Jack Taylor of Newry Street. He said: "Since the mast went up, it has affected all the terrestrial channels - we are paying the licence fee for nothing. "Some people have gone to the extreme of buying a satellite dish or a digital box. He added: "It is a real nuisance, and it is really hard to find somebody to take responsibility for the problem - I was told that there would be no special exception made for the people of Holyhead."

Residents have been advised that to get their sets in proper working order, they will have to buy television filters - which they will also have to pay to maintain over time.

Holyhead mayor, Jeff Evans, is outraged. He said: "These filters cost between £15 and £40, and then there´s the cost of having someone fit them, as well as having to maintain them.

"These TETRA masts are causing inconvenience to innumerable people in the vicinity. "Why should householders have to resolve a problem not of their making? "I don´t see why they should have to pay out money for anything." He added: "It may not be illegal to make people buy these filters but it is certainly morally wrong."

An Ofcom spokesperson said that, while he could not comment on specific cases, a number of similar instances had arisen around the UK. He said: "We understand that the situation is very frustrating. "In most cases, the interference occurs because the householder has a television booster, as a result of being in a low reception area. "This can be cured by fitting a filter, which cost around £17 last year, plus the fitting costs." He stressed that it was not the legal right of the householder to receieve good television reception, and that the onus was on them to correct the problem. He said: "The company that is rolling out the TETRA masts, Airwave, is transmitting in accordance with their licence. "It would be an unfair financial burden on them to have to pay for television filters. "It is an unfortunate impact, but ultimately the viewer is responsible for their own reception."

Email: claire.hart@nwn.co.uk

http://www.chroniclenow.co.uk/ihome2/detail.asp?storyid=34041ampampcatid=%201ampampofficeid=11

The Courier Tayside and Fife 11 -02 -05

by Michael Alexander

CLAIMS BY doctors that they have found the first proof of health problems caused by mobile phones should be a “wake-up call” to the potential dangers of the national TETRA police communications system, a north-east Fife campaigner said yesterday.

Peat Inn woman Catherine Gamba, who has been at the forefront of local concerns about an alleged ill-health cluster around phone masts at Drumcarrow Hill, near St Andrews, said the claim by doctors that up to 5% of the population could be suffering headaches, mood swings and hearing problems caused by radiation from phone handsets was “extremely worrying” and was similar to symptoms associated with TETRA.

She said, “It’s time the National Radiological Protection Board, who provide Government guidance, took a lead on this. The amount of people suffering needs to be dealt with. This is now a huge health problem which needs urgent action.”

Experts are advising people, especially children, to limit their use of mobile phones if they experience headaches or other symptoms.

The research, announced yesterday by the Irish Doctors Environmental Association (IDEA), was carried out on 16 people who had complained of symptoms from using mobile phones and were particularly sensitive to electromagnetic radiation.

The 16 were studied over several months. They were examined by doctors, filled in detailed questionnaires charting their use of mobile phones, and underwent medical tests including blood and liver analysis.

It was found 13 suffered symptoms including nausea, headaches and dizziness, which researchers believe are a clear indication of radiation.

Chairman of IDEA Dr Philip Michael said, “This is causing disabilities in a large section of the population.

“We are working on funding for a far larger study which will use blind testing to prove beyond doubt that mobile phones are responsible, but we believe the evidence is now overwhelming.

“These problems can get very difficult to deal with—we had one person in our study who was basically confined to their house because of the symptoms.”

He advised anyone suffering from the symptoms the study describes to limit the time they spend on their mobile, and to try to stay away from mobile phone masts.

The research was this week presented to a select committee of Irish MPs, who, it is hoped, will back plans for further research.

Other experts in the field said they were not surprised by the results of the study. Dr Michael Maier of Imperial College said more research was needed, adding, “There is so much anecdotal evidence I think more findings along these lines are inevitable.

“The biggest problem is that it is hard to measure any effects as people use their phones so differently.

“But the brain is an electrical instrument, and the frequency of radiation produced is very close to that used in the brain, so it’s no big surprise to find a phone is interfering with that frequency, causing headaches and other problems.”

Last month experts advising the Government warned that children under eight should not be given mobile phones because of the potential health risks.

That study, by the National Radiological Protection Board, found no firm conclusion could be reached on the impact of mobile phones.

The TETRA (Terrestrial Trunked Radio) police communications is being used by police forces across the country. The secure digital communications system is replacing analogue radios and is said to bring great benefits to the work of police officers.

Despite assurances from the NRPB and Home Office that there is no evidence of danger, and whilst acknowledging that research is continuing, reports of ill-health from a small number of officers already using the handsets in England persist, while many communities are concerned about the siting of TETRA masts.

As with mobile phones, scientific opinion has been divided on safety issues. In Fife, 22 masts are now in place and switched on for testing.

http://www.thecourier.co.uk/output/2005/02/11/newsstory6806858t0.asp


From Mast Network


Omega see also:
http://www.google.de/search?hl=de&q=Peat+Inn+woman+Catherine+Gamba&btnG=Google-Suche&meta=

I expect we all wish we could get rid of these odious tetra masts like this, but this is not the way because they put them back up again! Let's just work to raise the awareness of Airwave TETRA for now and leave the scientists to prove it is harmful. We could also lobby our MPs to sign a private members bill reported to be presented soon by Lib Dem Andrew Stunnell.

We could even cultivate an interest in political parties (if only temporary) to encourage them to adopt a mast policy, or make changing to planning laws. This is the ideal time with a General Election on the horizon. Those of you who don't fancy any of these can just give them all hell in letters, posters, whatever takes your fancy, but keep it tough but legal so that you are around to fight on!

Sandi


BBC News website 9th February 2005

A controversial emergency communications mast in a Cornwall village has been vandalised.

Police said a rope was attached to the mast in Mawnan Smith, near Falmouth, and it was then pulled over. The incident was described as a "deliberate act" and police said the person responsible even unscrewed bolts before dragging it off its base.

Masts are being put up across Devon and Cornwall as part of the force's new digital Airwave radio system.

Health concerns

The broken mast is now lying useless in a field at Treworval Farm. It is believed that the vandalism took place between 2100 and 2200 GMT on Wednesday.

The official action group opposing the mast in Mawnan Smith condemned the destruction, saying it did not condone such behaviour.

Protestors against the Tetra masts claim they could pose a danger to people's health.

Police have promised continual health checks will be part of a controversial radio system which comes into operation in Devon and Cornwall in April.

I am almost as peeved with most MPs and MEPs as I am with the phone mast operators etc. But occassionally you get a message to show that some of your onslaught has had results.

Here is one I received recently


Dear Sandi,

Attached is a letter from Nigel to Daily Telegraph and all SE local papers. For your info.

David


Dear Sir,

The statement by Sir William Stewart, the government’s leading adviser on the dangers of radiation from mobile phones and especially the TETRA system should be the cause of some concern, particularly at the Home Office, as this is the second time that he has warned of the dangers. I have written, on numerous occasions, to Caroline Flint MP, the Minister responsible, to ask in the strongest possible terms that the installation and use of the TETRA system by police authorities should be halted until such time as a full independent scientific enquiry is conducted into its safety.

Two young, healthy police officers have already died from cancer through the possible use of TETRA and several others have reported suffering illnesses since using the system. The siting of the masts in populated areas should cease until the effects on police officers and the public are known. To date my requests to the Home Office for a moratorium on installation have been refused on the basis that it is “unlikely” to be a danger to public health.

Like ID cards we are told that TETRA will be an aid in fighting organised crime and so on, yet the Israeli security forces have turned it down on the basis that it is not safe or secure.

Until such time as the Mobile Telecommunications and Health Research programme is published, the health of the public at large and in particular that of police officers should be of prime concern to the government. Surely it is better to err on the side of caution than to run the risk of further illnesses and possible deaths from this system? Or is it because this government is so wrapped up in technology, a technology that is costing British taxpayers £2.9 billion, that they are too afraid to admit that they might be wrong?

Yours etc

Nigel Farage MEP
UK Independence Party
European Parliament
Strasbourg.


From Mast Network

http://www.heise.de/newsticker/meldung/54779

Quelle: HLV INFO 5--10-01-2005/AT