Thompson Peak Summit: How hazardous are the ...

[paulshikleejr]

On the way up to the summit, at about (33.643303, -111.809240), there is a sign that says, "Caution! Beyond this point: Radio frequency fields at this site may exceed FCC rules for human exposure." (Note the use of the work "may.") At the top of Thompson Peak, at about (33.644202, -111.812193), there is a sign with even more ominous language: "Warning! Beyond this point: Radio frequency fields at this site exceed the FCC rules for human exposure." (Note that the word "may" is absent!) Because I'd traveled hard to get to the summit, perhaps like a fool, I stood at about (33.644379, -111.812243) for ten minutes taking pictures of my face in front of the large dish and then in the vicinity of that warning sign for another ten minutes taking panoramas and other pictures. How screwed am I (medium to long term)? Relatedly, if I'm not screwed, what's the time limit on hanging out up there [(1) next to the dish and, separately, (2) down by the sign]? Is there someone I can contact to ask these questions? Thanks for any info you may have.

[AZLumberjack]

I think a lot of HAZ members may shy away from this subject due to liability concerns. With that point made, it should be noted that your house has a lot of RF (Radio Frequency) signals zipping around. Like the Microwave, cellphone(s), WIFI, laptop, home security system, and so on. Each unit must comply with FCC regulations, but a combination of several,,,,,, who knows?

The warnings are in place to warn you of potential dangers, if you have a pacemaker, the dangers are increased. If you're in good health, there may be no danger. Technicians service these sites frequently and are exposed for extended periods of time with no harmful results.

Overall, it's probably not a good location for a picnic, but short duration visits shouldn't be a concern. More can be found at;
http://transition.fcc.gov/oet/rfsafety/rf-faqs.html
http://www.fcc.gov/guides/human-exposur ... -pcs-sites

Hope this helps

[paulshikleejr]

mnlumberjack, thank you for the information. It makes sense to check the FCC Web site(s) for info on what's what (maybe my brain was a bit toasted, since that didn't occur to me).

Beyond the gov-spin/speak, I appreciate your perspective.

Because I'm inclined to distrust the gub'ment info on this (which may have contributed to my not referring to the "official" sites), I was also looking for personal/ancedotal/urban legend opinions/rumors/rumblings/etc. (which you were good enough to provide [thank you, again!]).

Of course, I disclaim any ability to pursue claims against anyone offering opinions/rumor/rumblings/etc.

Peace.
Through Strength.

[BobP]

I''ve ben up their bunches of timez and peple thin I'm okay....wait what was the question ;)

[paulshikleejr]

Please correct/extend/amplify the following, as needed.

Again, thanks are due to mnlumberjack for pointing me to the above Web sites.

Here is my take on the info I reviewed.

http://transition.fcc.gov/oet/rfsafety/rf-faqs.html indicates that RF energy is non-ionizing (I knew that, actually) and that the known bio effect of RF energy is heating of tissue (i.e., "the principle by which microwave ovens cook food"). "[P]articularly vulnerable" organs (because of a "relative lack of available blood flow to dissipate the excess heat load") are the eyeballs (I can still see) and the testes (I already have kids), so I think I'm OK.

However, http://www.fcc.gov/guides/human-exposur ... -pcs-sites says that "Calculations corresponding to a “worst-case” situation (all transmitters operating simultaneously and continuously at the maximum licensed power) show that, in order to be exposed to RF levels near the FCC’s guidelines, an individual would essentially have to remain in the main transmitting beam and within a few feet of the antenna for several minutes or longer." and that "Exposures exceeding the guidelines levels, however, are only likely to be encountered very close to, and directly in front of, the antennas." so maybe I was lucky since I think I was both close to being in a transmitting beam and there for several minutes or longer.

[AZLumberjack]

There, now we're all a little bit smarter and know how to behave around those antenna farms. Not too sure about Bob though

[Sredfield]

The ship I was on while in the Navy had a radar-guided missile system. While I didn't see it personally, the radar tech's claimed you could bounce a basketball off the beam the system emitted.

Too late for Bob, maybe he camped under one of 'em.

[SuperstitionGuy]

You know you have been over exposed when that Hershey bar in your pack begins to flow...

[kingsnake]

I worked commo in the Army, and we roped off the microwave relays so you would not bake your gonads ...

[chumley]

I've never considered wearing a lead cup before. Seems like a lot of extra weight for the UL crowd. But you gotta protect the boys I guess...

[outdoor_lover]

@mnlumberjack
I think Bob would probably be ok, if he would just quit climbing the Towers themselves!!! Kinda like relocating a Mountain Goat to Monument Valley....He finds something that actually sticks up, he's gonna climb it!!!

[The_Eagle]

@chumley
YOU could just use the thimble from your Monopoly game

[Alston_Neal]

@chumley
YOU could just use the thimble from your Monopoly game

Post of the day!.....

[outdoor_lover]

YOU could just use the thimble from your Monopoly game

So, you've been talking to chumley's girlfriend or you just happen to know this from personal experience???

[chumley]

This is where I mention Mrs. Coanbru in the thread, and the devteam starts deleting posts...

[big_load]

I've had to wear an RF exposure alarm a few times. I've also been without one in situations where it probably would have gone off. I'm not fearful about it in general, but I wouldn't want to spend much time around a microwave link if I didn't have to.

[AZLumberjack]

When I was in the Air Force, I did some adjusting to a transmitter site that was located 3 miles from the landing strip (Marker Beacon). The lighting in the "shack" was a couple of fluorescent tubes, no power going to them, just hanging by some lengths of string. They glowed because the gasses within the tubes were excited by the RF radiation emitted by the transmitters. First step in troubleshooting the site, "tubes glowing, transmitter's working"

[beterarcher]

@mnlumberjack
Pretty sure it's not the same thing (RF and EMF) but when I used to go to keg parties under high tension power lines near Lake Pleasant I noticed that when I touched the chrome bumper on my truck I could feel current. One time I brought flourescent tubes out there and leaned them from the truck to the ground they lit up almost all the way. Cheap camp site illumination! Electricity through the atmosphere! Nikolai Tesla's got nothing on me! ;)

[Espi]

I have spent ALOT of time hanging off of towers all over the state.. I am perfectly fine. (twitches head)

[oldmans]

If you notice, the verbage also changes from caution to warning. The next level up would be to danger. Danger being something that can/may kill you. With that being said, becoming sterile won't kill you.