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.

[kingsnake]

First step in troubleshooting the site, "tubes glowing, transmitter's working"

It's not the glowing tubes that concern me, but rather the glowing pubes ...

[Espi]

The only times I would ever be worried when I was doing tower work was when there was a TV or radio transmitter present.

If I ever came across any uwave dishes, I would just cruise past them quickly to avoid exposure and to not cause path fade.

Really over all, milling around on the ground at the base of the tower or around buildings isn't going to expose you all that much. My feelings are, those signs are there as a CYA precaution.

I need to go up there and check it out. The new site they just finished is part of the system I maintain.

[brusso99]

RF is non-ionizing radiation, so there are no take away effects or levels like standing at a nuclear reactor. that kind of Radiation will heat you up, or burn you.. if that did not happen you should be good.

[big_load]

@brusso99
You can get lasting effects besides burns from sufficiently high levels of microwaves, including cataracts and nerve damage.