OET Reports On-line
Measurements of Electromagnetic Fields at Amateur Radio Stations
OET Report ASD-9601, January 1996
The FCC's Office of Engineering and Technology (OET) has released a technical report
entitled, "Measurements of Environmental Electromagnetic Fields at Amateur Radio
Stations." The report describes a joint measurement study of environmental
radiofrequency (RF) fields in the vicinity of nine amateur radio stations that was
conducted by the FCC and the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) in southern
California. This information will be useful to the FCC in determining how to implement
newly revised guidelines for human exposure to RF energy. Amateur stations were chosen
that represented a variety of antenna and equipment types, many of which are commonly used
by amateur radio operators.
Measurements of electric and magnetic field strength were made in areas near amateur
antennas and equipment in order to determine typical and "worst case" exposure
levels of amateur radio operators, their families and other individuals who live or work
in the vicinity of these stations. Measurements were made using instrumentation
appropriate for the particular transmitting frequency being used at a given location. Both
broadband and narrowband instruments were used.
For most of the stations surveyed, current RF protection guidelines for field strength
and power density were not exceeded in accessible areas. The highest readings in
accessible areas were generally associated with vehicle-mounted antennas. However, when
"duty factors" are taken into account routine exposures from such antennas would
be expected to comply with safety guidelines.
If maximum permissible power levels and different facility configurations are used,
higher exposure levels than those measured here cannot be ruled out. Such exposures could
affect the amateur operator or other individuals in the immediate vicinity of a station.
However, it is concluded that appropriate precautionary measures and facility siting
should be sufficient to prevent exposures that are in excess of safety guidelines.
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