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New2001
RADIO OPERATOR WARNING
W ARNING
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 the
lowest point of the antenna) vertically above
the main deck and all possible personnel. This is the
minimum safe separation distance estimated to meet all RF
exposure compliance requirements. This 5 meter distance is
based on the FCC Safe Maximum Permissible 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.
FAILURE TO OBSERVE THESE LIMITS MAY ALLOW
THOSE WITHIN THE MPE RADIUS TO EXPERIENCE RF
RADIATION ABSORPTION WHICH EXCEEDS THE FCC
MAXIMUM PERMISSIBLE EXPOSURE (MPE) LIMIT.
IT IS THE RESPONSIBILITY OF THE RADIO OPERATOR
TO ENSURE THAT THE MAXIMUM PERMISSIBLE
EXPOSURE LIMITS ARE OBSERVED AT ALL TIMES
D U R I N G R A D I O T R A N S M I S S I O N . T H E R A D I O
OPERATOR IS TO ENSURE THAT NO BYSTANDERS
C O M E W I T H I N T H E R A D I U S O F T H E M A X I M U M
PERMISSIBLE EXPOSURE LIMITS.
Determining MPE Radius
THE MAXIMUM PERMISSIBLE EXPOSURE (MPE)
RADIUS HAS BEEN ESTIMATED TO BE A RADIUS OF
ABOUT 3M PER OET BULLETIN 65 OF THE FCC.
THIS ESTIMATE IS MADE ASSUMING THE MAXIMUM
POWER OF THE RADIO AND ANTENNAS WITH A
MAXIMUM GAIN OF 9dBi ARE USED FOR A SHIP
MOUNTED SYSTEM.
