FCC's NEW RF Safety Standard Proposal New FCC RF safety standards effective January 1, 1997, could affect the way some hams operate, perhaps especially those using vehicle-mounted antennas. As a result of a Report and Order adopted by the FCC on August 1 (ET Docket No. 93-62, Guidelines for Evaluating the Environmental Effects of Radiofrequency Radiation), Part 97 will require hams running more than 50 W PEP to conduct routine RF radiation evaluations to determine if RF fields are sufficient to cause human exposure to RF radiation levels in excess of those specified. ''Measurements made during a Commission/EPA study of several typical amateur stations in 1990 indicated that there may be some situations where excessive exposures could occur,'' the FCC said in ending the blanket exemption for Amateur Radio. Amateur operation at power levels of 50 W PEP or less is ''categorically excluded'' from the exposure requirement in most cases. Where routine evaluation indicates that the RF radiation could be in excess of the limits, ''the licensee must take action to prevent such an occurrence,'' the Report and Order stated. The FCC said this could mean altering operating patterns, relocating the antenna, revising the station's technical parameters--such as frequency, power or emission type--or ''combinations of these and other remedies.'' ''Exactly what is involved in conducting a 'routine RF radiation evaluation' is not yet clear,'' observed ARRL Executive Secretary David Sumner, K1ZZ, adding that the FCC has promised to release a revised OST/OET Bulletin Number 65, ''Evaluation Compliance with FCC-Specified Guidelines for Human Exposure to Radiofrequency Radiation.'' The League is now studying the 100-plus page docket, to see if the League should seek reconsideration of any aspects of the FCC decision. Sumner noted that the FCC expects it will not be difficult for most amateur stations to show that the specified limits will be met. In the Report and Order, the Commission adopted Maximum Permissible Exposure (MPE) limits for electric and magnetic field strength and power density for transmitters operating at frequencies from 300 kHz to 100 GHz. These MPE limits are generally based on recommendations of the National Council on Radiation Protection and Measurement (NCRP) and, in many respects, are also generally based on the guidelines issued by the Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers Inc (IEEE) and subsequently adopted by the American National Standards Institute (ANSI) as an ANSI standard (ANSI/IEEE C95.1-1992). The Commission used the 1992 ANSI/IEEE standards instead of the 1982 ANSI standards that had formed the basis for the existing rules under which Amateur Radio stations were categorically exempted. Sumner said that for high-power mobile operation and for operation with indoor antennas, particularly in apartment buildings and other situations where there is ''uncontrolled exposure'' to neighbors and the general public, ''amateurs may well have to make changes in how they operate.'' He said the ARRL Lab staff and the RF Safety Committee will be evaluating the new requirements. The new regulations also will require the addition of five questions on RF environmental safety to the amateur examinations for Novice, Technician, and Extra-class elements 2, 3(A) and 4(B). Sumner noted that the Commission's Report and Order does not take into account the practical problems associated with such a significant revision to the volunteer-administered amateur examinations, and that more time than the Commission has allowed will be required to do a good job. The Commission acknowledged the updated guidelines generally are more stringent than the current rules but said that the new rules will protect the public and workers from strong RF emissions. Adoption of new rules by August 6 was required by the Telecommunications Act of 1996. The FCC encourages the amateur community ''to develop and disseminate information in the form of tables, charts and computer analytical tools that relate such variables as operating patterns, emission types, frequencies, power and distance from antennas.'' The Commission said it intends to provide ''straightforward methods for amateur operators to determine potential exposure levels'' by year's end. In comments filed earlier with the FCC, the ARRL strongly opposed adoption of the new requirements. The ARRL said most Amateur Radio users do not possess the requisite equipment, technical skills, and/or financial resources to conduct an environmental analysis. The League has, for several years, recommended a policy of ''prudent avoidance'' of exposure to electromagnetic radiation as a common-sense approach to potential--but not yet proven--health hazards and against such practices as running high power to indoor antennas or to mobile antennas that might expose the vehicle's occupants. The ARRL also argued that amateur stations, because of their intermittent operation, low duty cycles, and relatively low power levels, rarely exceed the 1992 ANSI/IEEE standard. Finally, the ARRL noted that unlike other radio services, RF safety questions already are included in amateur license examinations. But the FCC expressed concern that Amateur Radio operations ''are likely to be located in residential neighborhoods and may expose persons to RF fields in excess of the MPE guidelines.'' For now, the League advises hams not to panic and to read up on the subject. You can download the complete Report and Order by pointing to http://www.fcc.gov/Bureaus/Engineering fcc96326.txt. Other resources are available on the ARRLWeb page at http://www.arrl.org/news/rfsafety/. General information on RF safety is available in the safety sections of The 1996 ARRL Handbook and in the 15th edition of The ARRL Antenna Book. These materials offer guidelines on how to comply with the ANSI standard referred to in the Report and Order.