The first page of my instruction manual states the
following:
RADIO OPERATOR WARNING
“Icom requires the radio operator to meet the FCC Requirements for Radio Frequency Exposure. An omnidirectional antenna with gain not greater than
9 dBi must be mounted a minimum of 5 meters (measured
from lowest point of the antenna) vertically above the
main deck and all possible personnel. This is the minimum
safe operation distance estimated to meet all RF exposure
compliance requirements. This 5 meter distance is based
on the FCC Safe Maximum Premissible Exposure (MPE) distance
of 3 meters added to the height of an adult (2 meters) and
is appropriate for all vessels.
For watercraft without suitable structures, the antenna
must be mounted so as to maintain a minimum of 1 meter
vertically between the antenna, (measured from the lowest
point of the antenna), to the heads of all persons AND
all persons must stay outside of the 3 meter MPE radius.
Do not transmit with radio and antenna when persons are
within the MPE radius of the antenna, unless such persons
(such as driver or radio operator) are shielded from
antenna field by a grounded metallic barrier. The MPE
radius is the minimum distance from the antenna axis that
person should maintain in order to avoid RF exposure higher
than the allowable MPE level set by FCC.”
To me this is saying I shouldn’t be using
this on my single console aluminum fishing boat. Am
I misreading this???
Thanks for your opinion,
Dan
