The North Florida Amateur Radio Society meeting is Thursday, May 13th. It starts at 7PM at Hogan Baptist Church, 8045 Hogan Rd.
FCC has tightened RF exposure evaluation requirements for Amateur Radio station operators. Limits adopted several years ago are not changing but more operators will be required to formally ensure that their stations do not exceed permissible limits. The new requirements take effect for existing stations in May 2023.
New station operators must now evaluate before going on the air. Major changes to existing stations like power increases and antenna improvements also require immediate evaluations. Assuming maximum legal power and beam antennas, as much as 50 feet of separation between an antenna feedpoint and people may be required depending on results of calculations or field strength measurements. Since accurate field strength readings require expensive equipment, most operators will use easily-available charts, software and online calculators.
***For exclusively low power operation--defined as under 500 watts into the antenna on 80/40 meters, 225w on 20m, 100w on 15m, 50 watts on 10 meters and VHF--formal RF exposure evaluation is NOT needed.
***Most mobile and handheld units are NOT subject to formal evaluation.
***VHF repeaters using 50 watts ERP or less and UHF repeaters with 70 watts output or less are NOT required to do a formal evaluation. Additional repeaters are exempted under other provisions.
According to ARRL...For amateurs, the major difference is the removal of the categorical exclusion....which means that every ham will be required to perform some sort of calculation, either to determine if they qualify for an exemption or must perform a full-fledged exposure assessment. For hams who previously performed exposure assessments on their stations, there is nothing more to do.
Ed Hare W1RFI of ARRL explained ...FCC did not change any of the underlying rules applicable to amateur station evaluations. The sections of the book on how to perform routine station evaluations are still valid and usable, especially the many charts of common antennas at different heights.
An online RF safety calculator is http://hintlink.com/power_density.htm
ARRL has several articles and downloads via http://www.arrl.org/files/file/Technology/RFsafetyCommittee/28RFSafety.pdf
and http://www.arrl.org/rf-exposure
A separate evaluation is required for each band. Each antenna requires a separate evaluation. FCC sets two standards for exposure limits. Controlled-access areas (inside homes, etc.) and uncontrolled, public access areas have different maximum levels specified. Exposure effects peak on 10 meters and VHF where strictest limits apply. Make calculations based on these bands. Separation distance requirements on other bands will be less for the same antenna and power level.
Other than reducing power, station operators can best mitigate RF exposure by increasing separation between people and antennas, vertically or horizontally....a good reason to increase antenna height.
NEW DUVAL COUNTY EC: Brian Schultheis, K4BJS is the new Duval ARES Emergency Coordinator. An AEC for several years, Brian organized FDs and other communications projects. Planning is underway for the 2021 Duval ARES Field Day on June 26-27.
APRIL MEETING: Todd K1KVA presented an informative program about his mobile station in his Toyota Tundra truck. It includes an IC-706, tuner, Bugcatcher antenna and SGC Power Cube amplifier with extra batteries capable of supplying 120 amps.
GAYLORD MANGOLD, WH2AAT: He passed away unexpectedly in mid-April. First licensed in Guam while in the Navy, Gaylord settled in the Jax area following retirement. He was active in many phases of ham radio and served as NOFARS WWD Net & Certificate Manager during the 1980s and 90s. Condolences to WH2AAT's family and many friends.
FACEBOOK: President Roger Knight, KI4PIL invites you to join and participate in the North Florida Amateur Radio Society Facebook group. A Facebook search will direct you to the group.
MEETUP: Membership in NOFARS Meetup Group is open to licensed hams and those interested in Amateur Radio. To join, enter your e-mail address and preferred password. You'll receive an e-mail. Follow the link in the e-mail and you'll become a member.
YOUTUBE CHANNEL: Rajesh K4SK, Mike KD2SXD and others have a YouTube channel for NOFARS with video of recent meetings and items of interest to local hams.
DE N4UF