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T0C07

SAFETY · RF hazards: radiation exposure, proximity to antennas, recognized safe power levels, radiation types, duty cycle

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What hazard is created by touching an antenna during a transmission?

  1. AElectrocution
  2. BRF burn to skin
  3. CExposure to ionizing radiation
  4. DAll these choices are correct
Why RF energy on a radiating antenna element produces high RF voltage at current nodes, and touching it concentrates that energy in a small patch of skin, heating tissue and causing a painful RF burn. This can happen even at modest power levels, which is why antennas should be mounted out of reach and transmitting stopped before anyone handles them. The burn is thermal, caused by the heating effect of the RF current, not by electric shock from a power supply.
Watch out Electrocution describes injury from AC mains or high-voltage DC current through the body, not RF on an antenna, and ham frequencies are non-ionizing, so ionizing radiation exposure is not a factor.
RF heats, it does not ionize: touch a live antenna and you get a burn, not a shock.
HamSandwich explanation, first draft. The question and answers are the NCVEC text.
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The rest of T0C

  1. T0C01 What type of radiation are radio signals?
  2. T0C02 Which of the following bands has the lowest maximum permissible exposure for RF safety?
  3. T0C03 How does the allowable power density for RF safety change if duty cycle changes from 100 percent to 50 percen…
  4. T0C04 What factors affect the RF exposure of people near an amateur station antenna?
  5. T0C05 Why do exposure limits vary with frequency?
  6. T0C06 Which of the following is an acceptable method to determine whether your station complies with FCC RF exposur…
  7. T0C07 What hazard is created by touching an antenna during a transmission?
  8. T0C08 Which of the following actions can reduce exposure to RF radiation?
  9. T0C09 How can you make sure your station stays in compliance with RF safety regulations?
  10. T0C10 Why is duty cycle one of the factors used to determine safe RF radiation exposure levels?
  11. T0C11 What is the definition of duty cycle during the averaging time for RF exposure?
  12. T0C12 How does RF radiation differ from ionizing radiation (radioactivity)?
  13. T0C13 Who is responsible for ensuring that no person is exposed to RF energy above the FCC exposure limits?
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