RF Exposure
On May 3, 2021, new FCC rules took effect regarding amateur responsibility for assuring RF exposure does not exceed safe limits. The limits themselves have been effect since 1996 and have NOT changed.
Here are some links to useful explanatory documents and calculators you can use. The two calculators shown here were independently implemented, but they closely agree in the results they produce.
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- ARRL RF Exposure web page
- Frequently asked questions (v1.4 4/27/2021, from ARRL)
- RF Exposure Calculator at Lake Washington Ham Club (derived from code by N6NB)
- RF Safety Calculator (by VP9KF, NOTE: uses metric units)
- FCC OET Bulletin 56 ("Questions and Answers about Biological Effects and Potential Hazards of Radiofrequency Electromagnetic Fields")
- FCC OET Bulletin 65b ("Evaluating Compliance with FCC Guidelines for Human Exposure to Radio frequency Electromagnetic Fields, Additional Information for Amateur Radio Stations")
- "RF Exposure and You" (a free eBook from ARRL, big and somewhat dated, but Chapter 8 includes useful, extensive tables for near-field exposure evaluation)
Antennas
Design for a 2-Meter TV Twinlead J-Pole Antenna
Design for 2-Meter and 70cm Dual Band J-Pole Antenna Protected in PVC Pipe
2 Meter Collinear J Pole Antenna in PVC Pipe
2 Meter Phased Vertical Antenna
Coax Cable Loss Calculator Web Page
Misc
Interfacing your rig and computer via USB ... presentation slides by N6TV
A R D F ... Amateur Radio Direction Finding Information
Build It! 40 Meter Rock Bending Receiver ... found in ARRL 2006 Handbook
Simple Direct Conversion Receiver ... One Cubic Inch Direct Conversion Receiver by Monty Northrup, N5ESE
S-Meter Chart - GQRP Club Datasheet
Sunspot Propagation Demystified ... by ARRL
Amateur Radio Call Sign Systems ... how call signs are assigned by the FCC
Old! Sooper Shooter Slingshot / Fishing Reel Antenna Launcher Project (formerly in Logger's Bark)
Phil Silas, AD5X, who contributes many technical articles to QST ... click here for his website.