Explain how RF affects the body, who must evaluate exposure, and how to bring a station into compliance.
Syllabus: RF safety principles, rules, and guidelines; routine station evaluation
Compendium articles on the ideas in this lesson, beyond what the exam asks.
Practise the 12 pool questions for this group. Answers are shuffled, and every one comes with a one-line "why".
RF energy heats body tissue. Exposure depends on power density, frequency and duty cycle: all three. Time averaging is the total exposure averaged over a set period, so a lower duty cycle permits more power while on.
RememberHeating, not poisoning. Half the time on air, double the power allowed.
Rules apply to all stations above 1 mW time-averaged. If you fail the exemption criteria, evaluate per OET Bulletin 65. Any of these works: calculation, computer modeling, or measurement with calibrated equipment. To measure, use a calibrated field strength meter with a calibrated antenna.
RememberExempt, or evaluate by calculation, model or calibrated measurement.
Do a routine evaluation, then prevent access to any high-exposure area. If a neighbor could be in a directional antenna's main lobe, make sure it cannot point at them when they are present. For an indoor antenna, make sure MPE limits are not exceeded in occupied areas.
RememberEvaluate, then control access. No filings or permission slips.