Why JFET amp instead of Non-inv Op amp? Do they both not have high Imp?

Rural electrification, started by FDR as you say, something that wouldn't have happened under a GW Bush utility-privatization scheme. We privatized here in MA, and have been royally screwed as result. Reminds me of California. Thankfully we escaped their mess, so far.

Careful there, Win, you're going to need a bigger gyro ;-)

...Jim Thompson

Thought you Arizonans still had a catalog hanging from a nail :-)

-- "Electricity is of two kinds, positive and negative. The difference is, I presume, that one comes a little more expensive, but is more durable; the other is a cheaper thing, but the moths get into it." (Stephen Leacock)

In the UK, much of the market was opened up to competition and it simply meant that a few substandard companies were replaced with many of no better standard.

On top of that they often did underhand tricks to get people to change suppliers. Like taking over your supply without your consent. If people complained, they just said "oh sorry" and put it back. Obviously enough people didn't to make it worthwhile.

In short, neither way will be satisfactory if the people involved are no good.

Nah. Two corncobs. First you use the brown one, then you use the white one to check and see if you need to use the brown one again. - Redd Foxx

Except in the middle of the desert, it's probably cacti. Maybe they use prairie dogs, like the bear used the squirrel.

I suppose, in your left-leaning ways, you believe that GW Bush MADE Massachusetts privatize?

...Jim Thompson

Of course not, it was done years ago under our own steam and impetus, with no input from the far right wing, or the right wing either, thank you very much. Despite Rush's opinion to the contrary, we left-leaners in Massachusetts believe in the free market as well, you know, or should know. But it can bite us as well as it can you.

Actually we are "privatized" now in Arizona... and it seems to be keeping the price of electricity down.

...Jim Thompson

Wait five years to evaluate the issue in maturity, then we'll talk.

Actually we've been privatized longer than that. Maybe we're more "civilized" in the gun-slinging part of the country ;-)

...Jim Thompson

You can't pull your gun, to solve the problem of an overcharging utility monopoly. Nor can you change suppliers, because only one line runs through the city and into your home. So, given the lack of a true free market, it comes down to the details of government control, how much, and in what places in the system.

Perhaps we gave away too much control, and now we're getting the shaft from private companies who answer only to their stockholders. Basically, if you leave an opening they can take to gouge you, in time they will - maybe not this year or next, but eventually. The management owes it to their stockholders. Or to their next bonus.

Win,

By Arizona law you CAN switch suppliers, the lines are considered public property... all the companies feed the same grid.

But I don't know of anyone who has switched.

I think the threat of competition has kept prices in line.

Here, we have a "Corporation Commission" that controls rates. Any rate change request is subject to audit.

I think the main difference may be history. Out here in the wild west EVERYTHING started out private... after all, there was no government.

Water companies were initially all private. Then, as cities developed, multiple private companies were bought out and merged into single-city units.

Likewise electricity. EXCEPT we had a few water districts that were primarily for irrigation water, but discovered that dams also had value to turn turbines and make electricity.

So, when I came to Arizona 43 years ago, all electricity was private except Salt River Project.

By legislation, about 15 years ago now, SRP's electricity capability became "private" in that they were subject to Corporation Commission rules and audits, and they began paying taxes like the private companies.

The other east-west difference, of course, is politicians. Yours are polished and crooked as stumps. And you're so brainwashed you keep electing them... to wit, Teddy ;-)

Our politicians are amateurs. When they do something crooked, they're almost immediately caught, and tossed in the next election, or sooner... like some recall election procedures currently in progress.

And then there's the situation where you THINK you're being overcharged. You just got a "free' ride for years from a government run entity, that undercharged for electricity, and made up the difference with hidden taxes. They do refer to your state as Taxachusetts don't they ?:-)

...Jim Thompson

"I can give you a nail for the catalog, a box for the cobs, or both. Your grandpappy is of the old school, he'd prefer the box" - Charles (Chic) Sale, "The Specialist" (quote from memory)

Prairie dogs have a mean bite. Fleas that can carry bubonic plague, too. I'll stick to the cobs ;-)

We can change "suppliers" too, but only if we're a big enough customer, IIRC. A single private company owns the lines, and charges us plenty for their use, and for the grid connectivity.

That's not very privitized; we no longer have such Governmental control.

Hanta Virus. Deadly. Had to give my Hanta Virus speech to the Girl Scouts this weekend... watch out for dead rats and droppings :-(

...Jim Thompson

-- | James E.Thompson, P.E. | mens | | Analog Innovations, Inc. | et | | Analog/Mixed-Signal ASIC's and Discrete Systems | manus | | Phoenix, Arizona Voice:(480)460-2350 | | | E-mail Address at Website Fax:(480)460-2142 | Brass Rat | |

Around here, anything considered a UTILITY... water, telephone, electricity, natural gas, Cable TV, is subject to Corporation Commission audit BEFORE a rate change can take place.

...Jim Thompson

Billing Period Ending March 23....

Energy (on peak) 846kWh Energy (off peak) 3036kWh Total Energy Used 3882kWh

Monthly Service Charge $ 11.62 On-Peak Delivery Charge 24.71 Off-Peak Delivery Charge 19.23 On-Peak Energy Charge 36.46 Off-Peak Energy Charge 128.73

Total Energy and Delivery Charges $ 220.75 Total Taxes 19.87

Total Balance $ 240.62

So my average cost is 6.2 cents/kWh

...Jim Thompson

It's a heat-pump/AC combo. March was both cold and hot, so it ran a fair amount.

We'll hit 7500kWh during the summer.

This is still winter rates... summer changes dramatically, fortunately we seem well-balanced here and have an even better ratio OFF/ON-peak during the summer.

"In 1999, residential customers in Massachusetts paid an average of

...Jim Thompson

But you Californians are "special"... shows what happens when the CAVE** people take control of a state.

...Jim Thompson