int len = str.length();
        int ch, size = 0;
        byte[] dst;

        for( int i = 0; i < len; i++ ) {
            ch = str.charAt( i );
            size += ch > 0x07F ? (ch > 0x7FF ? 3 : 2) : 1;
        }
        dst = new byte[size];
        writeShort( size );
        try {
            Encdec.enc_utf8( str, dst, 0, size );
        } catch( IOException ioe ) {