Minimum Safe Distance from VHF Antenna?

[Jim240]

I decided to put a fixed install VHF in the boat (2007 Sundancer 240). Granted, there's a fairly limited number of places to put the antenna and Sea Ray seems to install theirs right behind the helm seat. I picked up an Icom 304 and a Shakespeare 8', 6dB antenna. I opened the manual and right there... Icom says that in order to meet safe distance requirements with a 9dB antenna, there should be a minimum of 1m from the bottom of the antenna to the top of any head AND 3m of horizontal separation.

Okay, that's impossible. At least I'm only looking at using a 6dB antenna, so perhaps I might be able to reduce the horizontal separation by almost half, but not the vertical. So, does anyone out there even care that they're getting cooked? Anyone with any real data on health impacts?

 

[Matt]

Don't worry about it to much. the amount of power and time you will be transmitting on the radio will not affect you.

Matt

 

[Jim240]

I would have thought someone here would have known more. So, I contacted a Medical Physicist that I have in the family. He's not an overly conservative guy, so when he told me it might be wise to heed the advice in the manual, I began to dig. I gave him more information, but 156 to 157.5 MHz, just isn't his area of expertise. His main thought was that the RF may affect the eyes most, cataracts, but he wasn't sure.

I have found reference to maximum exposure levels, levels averaged over 6 minutes and levels averaged over 30 minutes. They're all pretty low. I'm still twisting some numbers, but my initial reaction is keep your radio at the low setting unless you've got an emergency and need the extra power.

I'll post more later.

Jim

 

[First Born]

Jim,

Thought you may find this a good read.

http://www.clubsearay.com/forum/showthread.php?t=4508&highlight=horizontal

Wesley

 

[Nehalennia]

on my 260DA, the factory installed is on the starboard side of the helm around knee level.

and the antenna is located here(in the background)

and

I'm not sure the real risk is health wise, but if it's big, the factory may need to reconsider these locations

 

[RiverRat]

Mines located a bit farther away from me than yours is Todd, when you start getting out of the ordinary symtoms like hair falling out or your right ear sliding down the side of your head, give me a call so I can re-locate my antenna. Until then I'll be walkin' on the wild side.

Plus, with all the antennas Gary has on his boat, his head might explode when he keys the mike!!! Think we should warn him.... nahhhhh

 

[tphinney]

Mine was a self install; but it's pretty much in the same location as the factory install.

here is a close up of the antenna mount

here's the radio.

 

[Nehalennia]

I don't really like the location of the Radio. I'm going to be replacing it soon, with a DSC model, but think will leave it where it's at. My hair already fell out, but that may be related to having 4 kids......I'll blame it on them since I've only had the boat 6 months and I have rarely used the Radio