This information is based around my training and experience in RF Safety. It was a large part of my career as a Chartered Radiation Protection Professional. My work as head of radiation protection policy at the Ministry of Defence involved assessing the safety of military radars and radio and other equipment involving RF radiation. I played a part in representing MODs interests in setting national and European legislation and ICNIRP. I was trained at Marconi Chelmsford by Ron kitchen author of the book “RF Radiation safety Handbook”
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The current concerns about OFCOM changing the license conditions to require assessments to demonstrate compliance with the ICNIRP guidelines are not new. In discharging the common law duty of care there has been and continues to be an implicit need to ensure compliance with the ICNIRP guidelines. OFCOM have now made this implicit duty explicit.
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Assessments
Spreadsheets.
These provide a simple starting point for carrying assessments. But knowledge is required to understand the limitations of the spreadsheets.
Measurement.
Suitable and calibrated instrumentation for assessing ICNIRP compliance is expensive and training is required to take measurements, particularly in a near field environment.
Where measurements or modelling are used, to complete the assessment local circumstances need to factored in. eg is the antenna on or near the boundary of the QTH; is the antenna in the loft space, is the antenna near a bedroom window.
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Near field (below 10 Mhz)
If the RSGB online spreadsheet to calculate near field distances for some of the lower HF bands. The near/far field boundary becomes the limiting factor. The far field distance is unrelated to the transmitted power.
The RSGB advise that the spread sheet should not be used be at frequencies below 10 MHz as the calculated distances will fall within the near field and therefore the results cannot be relied on as accurate.
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The RSGB has published draft versions of pre-assessed configurations. These can be used to demonstrate compliance or help choose a compliant design
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PAC - 1 half wave dipole 160 to 40 m v1.0 6.9 MB PDF​
Record keeping
The licensee must keep assessment records and new records of assessments when antenna configuration changes or power and mode of transmission change.
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RAYNET
Raynet have antennas mounted on a shared mast. RAYNET must in conjunction with the other owners of antennas carry out an ICNIRP compliance assessment. (This joint assessment requirement extends to all amateur radio repeaters on shared locations). Assessments are also required for RAYNET exercises and support to planned events such as "Walk the Wight"
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Special event stations eg Jubilee on the air, International Marconi Day
ICNIRP assessments may be required by organisations hosting special event stations and to comply with the requirements of public liability insurance.
Training
The current training requirements for amateur radio licences need to be updated to include more detail and information about how to carry out assessments for ICNIRP compliance.
Planning permission
Councils may be tempted to call for ICNIRP assessments as a requirement for granting planning permission. If and when such a situation arises its best to contact your RSGB district representative and the RSGB planning committee.
