I don't know how the average ham figures this stuff out.  I just put up an hf vertical and I don't
have a clue about the radiation.  If you think this and other government rules are arbitrary just
remember the government is made up most of lawyers and bureaucrats who have nothing
better to do with their time.On Mon, 1 Sep 2003 22:22:10 -0400, Robert E. Martin wrote:

>I just got through reading the discussion of 2 meter antennas and recently
>took part in a net where a fellow ham asked essentially the same
>question.  He wanted to run 25 watts into an 11 db gain 2 meter antenna in
>his bedroom.
>
>Someone computed the ERP at just under 300 watts.
>
>Well I decided it would be helpful to review the FCC's bulletin on
>protection from harmful RF radiation for the station operator and anyone in
>the surrounding area.  It would take too loong to summarize the article and
>this Web site would bounce the message if it excedes the allowed limit.
>
>Basically, aside from ones own safety, consideration must be given to
>family members, neighbors, and people walking by.  Included in the
>requirement are calculations and retention of a copy of those calculations
>as proof that you made the required measurements.
>
>I found that my fife working at her computer up stairs is in danger if I
>head one beam due East and that any child in the day care center just west
>of us is in danger if they stand in certain areas of their yard.
>
>There is or at least there was the last time I checked, an on-line site
>which will do the calculations for you.
>
>If you haven't done and kept those calculations, let me know and I will dig
>for the URL.  No need to do so if you are OK>
>
>73
>
>Bob Martin
>