Practicality of 600-800 watt amplifier use in SMALL RESIDENTIAL TRACT??

[KO6WB]

Haven't heard of anyone getting caught by the FCC for not complying with the RF exposure survey. There's a first time for everything and hopefully it's not you. Yeah,I know, the FCC hasn't really done much of anything as far as the part 97 services go. That's really not a good excuse not to do what is really very simple. Perhaps you will have a neighbor complain about your antennas and what a health risk they are to the community. They will not go to the FCC but instead will try to make it a circus by contacting their local TV stations. The reporter shows up at your door and demands answers. What are you going to do? Tell them to "get"? Then they will just make up a story with no facts to back them up. Then that snoopy reporter will be the one contacting the FCC for the person that alerted them. Loads of PR going here and the FCC can't afford to look like they are the bad guy, so guess who the bad guy will be? If you have the data and you are complying with the rules you can show anybody that has questions that you are in compliance. Then you tell them to "get".
You might want to download an updated copy of the part 97 rules. You need to have that as well.
I know the RF scare is just silly stupid stuff and that the amateur community would be an ideal place to find out if RF is really a hazard or not. They didn't do that. So to make it look like the government is doing something they came up with this regulation. Like I said it's simple and takes just a minute or so to complete.
Have fun
73
Gary

[K9STH]

Of course, the vast majority of concern about r.f. exposure is based on fear and not science. Unfortunately, the various Federal agencies, as well as Members of Congress, etc., have fallen prey to the alarmists and have come up with "formulas" to insure compliance. Since it only takes a few minutes to do the calculations, you then will have proof that you are "concerned" about your neighbors and that you have complied with the "letter of the law" just in case someone asks.

Like WB says, it is much more likely that someone would complain to the news media about a fear that they are receiving "harmful radiation" from an amateur radio transmitter than it is that the FCC would "come calling". The news media is going to be a LOT more hostile to the amateur radio operator than the FCC ever would. If you already have the documents on hand proving that your station is fully in compliance with Federal regulations, and that should placate any "investigative reporter".

Glen, K9STH

[K7MH]

Also, K7MH said:

"Amplifiers are nice to have but decent antennas are way more important."

That's very true, but good luck with that when you're on a very small lot - especially if you want to go below 40M.

If you ever come to Seattle, drive by Toms place, K7RI in West Seattle.
It's a postage stamp lot with I think just one KT36XA tribander at 65 feet and a 2 el KLM 40 meter shorty at 78 feet, both on the same tower. The tower is a skyneedle if I remember correctly. He used to have stacked KT34XA antennas on it.

In any event, if you can't hear them all the amplifier in the world won't do you much good.

[KA9JLM]

I wonder how many people get their Microwave Oven checked for Microwave leakage around the door like they should.

The Microwave Police Reporters may go around looking for a CW signal on 2450 MHZ at lunch time.

[VK6ZGO]

The funny thing about TV reporters "making a fuss",is that they are really "people who live in glass houses",when it comes to RF.
The TV Studio I worked at used to get all soughts of loonies ringing up about our transmissions.

They aren't really out to persecute you,just looking for something to fill in a bit of time.
If a singing pig appears,you'll get bumped.
You will only be a "nine day",or more likely a "24 hour wonder"to the TV News Dept,who will go on to other stories,having stirred up all your neighbours!

As I have said before,most reporters are nice people,but "they're not the sharpest crayons in the box!"

73,VK6ZGO

[KJ3N]

RF Exposure is just a bunch of HOOEY!!!! No one is going to be MICROWAVED by someone transmitting a signal on HF. I have been around high power RF all my life and am not "INJURED" by it. My brain isn't BAKED!!! HOOEY!!!

That depends on who you ask, Pat.

[NA0AA]

The answer used to be NO. I've never operated with neighbors over 200 watts and I got into one guys phone, two doors down on 15 meters. I told him that since it was a wired phone [he was one of those people] that he would be best to call the phone company and they would install a filter. He did that, they did and I never heard from him again.

With a KW here in the boonies the only one who complains is my wife when the 10 meter beam is pointed over the house and at my full power, then I get into the stereo system - not a big surprise - 7 db gain with 800 watts input is a lot of front end overload at 50'.

Edited to add: It's not your GS's equipment that will cause problems, it's the cheap RF based junk in the neighbors that will cause problems. Sadly.

If he's operated at 100 to 200 watts w/out complaint, I guess I might try the amp on a limited basis and see what happens - if he gets complaints, discontinue using it I guess.

[KF6CE]

To try to get back to Don's original question.... You don't say what kind of antenna he plans to use (unless I missed it). I think for him living with houses close by the antenna may be what brings him unwanted attention, not the 6-800 watts. I use a Butternut vertical which, while not a yagi I can point, does quite well for what it is and is located where no one can see it. And if he's running a vertical he may need some extra power.

Back on the power amp question - my opinion is he should be fine with it. I'd vote for a "GO". But the antenna decision is at least as important, both appearance and performance-wise. I run a Henry amp at almost the limit, but would give it up in a minute for a 3 element yagi 50 feet up. (OK, in truth I'd keep it too...but you get my point.)

Good luck with this.

[WD5JOY]

KF6CE

GRANDSON will be running a OCF-Dipole (aka: "Windom" - but not the original) at approximately 32 feet with perhaps 75 to 85 feet of coax as feedline. Antenna should be center-yard and at 50 feet laterally to neighbors homes. He will be running a Kenwood TS-450S/AT for now and eventually a Kenwood TS-2000 (so he hopes!).

THANKS ............ Don

[KM1H]

Just check the box and mail it in....

And if its an Ameritron AL-811 series amp it will be broken most of the time anyway.

Carl