[BC] RF Compliance & Safety

[Alan Gearing]

Kevin Raper wrote:
> Where would I find the FCC and OSHA Rules on RF Compliance&  Safety, and
> specifically what would a 1 KW AM and a 5KW AM need to do to be in
> compliance?
>
>    
Kevin:

The FCC's environmental rules, including RF exposure, are in 47 CFR Part 
1--Practice And Procedure, specifically §§1.1307(b) and 1.1310.  (There 
are also requirements for mobile and portable devices set forth in 
§§2.1091 and 2.1093, respectively.)

The "bible" for guidelines, equations, graphs, etc. for complying with 
the Rules is OET Bulletin 65 (Edition 97-01 updated August 1997), 
downloadable from the following URL:

    http://www.fcc.gov/oet/info/documents/bulletins/

There is the main bulletin plus three supplements

    Supplement A - Radio and TV Broadcast Stations
    Supplement B - Amateur Radio Stations
    Supplement C - Mobile and Portable Devices

You might also be interested in: OET Bulletin 56 /Questions and Answers 
about Biological Effects and Potential Hazards of Radiofrequency 
Electromagnetic Fields/ - available on the same page; and *A Local 
Government Official's Guide to Transmitting Antenna RF Emission Safety: 
Rules, Procedures, and Practical Guidance* - available at 
http://wireless.fcc.gov/siting/FCC_LSGAC_RF_Guide.pdf.

As for your specific question, depending on frequency and tower height a 
1 kW ND would require a compliant base fence at least 1-2 meters from 
the tower/feed line (or other energized surface) and for a 5 kW ND the 
distance would be at least 2 meters (for really short towers - much less 
than 0.25 wavelength - these distances would be greater).

Hope this helps.

Al Gearing

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Alan E. Gearing, PE
Mullaney Engineering, Inc.
PH: 301-921-0115
FX: 301-590-9757
email: AEGearing at TZSawyer.com