Re: [Skinflicka] antenna safety
No Match for this Parent FAC ID in the ULS Database! "123456" not found in ULS Databases
Gardner
p.s. to the original poster: if you're interested in reading some anecdotal evidence relating to radio frequency exposure, join the yahoo group
"Tower Pro" and search the message database for radiation or RF exposure. You'll need a yahoo ID to join. You might also check the OSHA site about RF and, as well, sites of companies that deal with rf safety(with obvious bias on its dangers).
I think generally it's not that big of a concern under most circumstances. I would stay away from dopplar radar (or any other radar) towers, as those are generally pretty high power. For the most part I'd just use common sense: don't linger any longer than necessary, climb quickly past any dishes or aerials, don't stare into waveguides, don't touch coax, etc. I know it sounds crazy, but I'll touch all the metal hardware on my rig from time to time to make sure it isn't heating up. The only time I've ever actually experienced a side-effect of being on an antenna was when I parked my foot next to a coax cable for a while during a rest and I was startled by a burning sensation on my foot. My shoe was very hot at the point of contact. I've heard rumors (totally unconfirmed) of hardware heating up while on towers (hence my tendancy to check the temp of harware from time to time).
If you're so inclined (and anal), you can search the FCC databases and get info on all the aerials on a given structure; these files give info on radiation centers of aerials on the structure (HAAT - height above ambient terrain), as well as power output. Stay away from the high power ones if you're really worried about it, and/or climb past them like the gingerbread man (as fast as you can) YMMV As a side-note, I have two daughters who appear, so far, to be without any genetic birth defect. I wonder sometimes, though... because of the way my 9 y.o. acts. I'm payin' for my raisin'.