SAFETY
Safety: amateur radio safety practices; RF radiation hazards; hazardous materials
What, if any, are the differences between the radiation produced by radioactive materials and the electromagnetic energy radiated by an antenna?
-
There is no significant difference between the two types of radiation
-
Only radiation produced by radioactivity can injure human beings
-
Correct AnswerRadioactive materials emit ionizing radiation, while RF signals have less energy and can only cause heating
-
Radiation from an antenna will damage unexposed photographic film but ordinary radioactive materials do not cause this problem
Lower frequency (longer wavelength) energy may cause heating, but is not sufficient to change the atomic structure of atoms. However, higher frequency radiation (gamma rays, x-rays, etc.) can remove electrons from orbit, thereby creating ions. This is why it's referred to as ionizing radiation. Ionization can break apart molecules and substantially changes the chemical reactivity of atoms.
Last edited by jsharris1229. Register to edit
Tags: none
When evaluating RF exposure levels from your station at a neighbor's home, what must you do?
-
Make sure signals from your station are less than the controlled MPE limits
-
Correct AnswerMake sure signals from your station are less than the uncontrolled MPE limits
-
You need only evaluate exposure levels on your own property
-
Advise your neighbors of the results of your tests
The two sets of exposure limits are controlled and uncontrolled. If you don't have the ability to restrict access to the area of exposure, then you must use the uncontrolled exposure limits.
In this case, you can't control where your neighbor is nor prevent him/her from being in an area of exposure, hence, you must use the uncontrolled MPE (Maximum Permissible Exposure) limits.
Hint: Don't be fooled by answers with Emission in them. Exposure is the word used in this question.
Last edited by kd7bbc. Register to edit
Tags: none
Which of the following would be a practical way to estimate whether the RF fields produced by an amateur radio station are within permissible MPE limits?
-
Use a calibrated antenna analyzer
-
Use a hand calculator plus Smith-chart equations to calculate the fields
-
Correct AnswerUse an antenna modeling program to calculate field strength at accessible locations
-
All of the choices are correct
The key is to use a "practical way' to estimate the RF fields. The easiest way is to use computer software based on the approved models. If the computer model indicates excessive exposure is possible, you may need to make on-site measurements to ensure you are not exceeding the MPE.
(This question is somewhat misleading. It asks for a "practical" way, but the answer does not involve common field practice.)
Hint: Accessible Locations (the only places a person will be exposed)
The key is to "estimate". This would be through a modeling program to calculate...
Last edited by kd7bbc. Register to edit
Tags: none
When evaluating a site with multiple transmitters operating at the same time, the operators and licensees of which transmitters are responsible for mitigating over-exposure situations?
-
Only the most powerful transmitter
-
Only commercial transmitters
-
Correct AnswerEach transmitter that produces 5% or more of its MPE exposure limit at accessible locations
-
Each transmitter operating with a duty-cycle greater than 50%
This is an FCC rule designed to avoid arguments. In essence, any station that provides a significant portion of the transmitted power is responsible to ensure exposure limits are met.
Last edited by jsharris1229. Register to edit
Tags: none
What is one of the potential hazards of using microwaves in the amateur radio bands?
-
Microwaves are ionizing radiation
-
Correct AnswerThe high gain antennas commonly used can result in high exposure levels
-
Microwaves often travel long distances by ionospheric reflection
-
The extremely high frequency energy can damage the joints of antenna structures
In the microwave range, the wavelengths are fairly small. This allows easy, inexpensive construction of high-gain antennas. The small size of the antenna can be deceptive relative to the high field strength it can generate. Caution must be used to protect people when using these antennas.
Last edited by ruel941. Register to edit
Tags: none
Why are there separate electric (E) and magnetic (H) field MPE limits?
-
The body reacts to electromagnetic radiation from both the E and H fields
-
Ground reflections and scattering make the field impedance vary with location
-
E field and H field radiation intensity peaks can occur at different locations
-
Correct AnswerAll of these choices are correct
All of these are correct and should be accounted for when considering Maximum Permissible Exposure (MPE) limits.
Last edited by ltbarkley. Register to edit
Tags: none
How may dangerous levels of carbon monoxide from an emergency generator be detected?
-
By the odor
-
Correct AnswerOnly with a carbon monoxide detector
-
Any ordinary smoke detector can be used
-
By the yellowish appearance of the gas
Carbon monoxide is a colorless, odorless, and tasteless gas. It's a little lighter than air and will rise filling a space from the top down. The only way to detect the gas is with a carbon monoxide detector. The gas is also called carbonous oxide and has one atom of carbon and one atom of oxygen.
Last edited by mart2251. Register to edit
Tags: none
What does SAR measure?
-
Synthetic Aperture Ratio of the human body
-
Signal Amplification Rating
-
Correct AnswerThe rate at which RF energy is absorbed by the body
-
The rate of RF energy reflected from stationary terrain
SAR, in this case, stands for Specific Absorption Rate. This is the rate at which the human body absorbs energy from an electromagnetic field. The SAR is affected by both frequency and body part.
Last edited by qubit. Register to edit
Tags: none
Which insulating material commonly used as a thermal conductor for some types of electronic devices is extremely toxic if broken or crushed and the particles are accidentally inhaled?
-
Mica
-
Zinc oxide
-
Correct AnswerBeryllium Oxide
-
Uranium Hexaflouride
Beryllium Oxide (BeO) is listed as a serious respiratory irritant and probable carcinogenic. Why is it used? Because while most electrical insulators are poor thermal conductors, BeO is good at both. Because it is both a good electrical insulator and a good thermal conductor, it is used in semiconductors and in some vacuum tubes. If either of these types of devices are damaged, be aware of any white dust, as it may be BeO, which is a white ceramic material. Avoid skin contact or inhalation. You can also determine if BeO is used by consulting the manufacturers data sheet. Further information is available on the MSDS (Material Safety Data Sheet) for BeO, several of which may be found using an internet search.
Test Hint: BO can be very toxic
Silly Hint: Nobody wants to inhale BO (smell body odor).
Last edited by klmcdonald. Register to edit
Tags: none
What material found in some electronic components such as high-voltage capacitors and transformers is considered toxic?
-
Correct AnswerPolychlorinated biphenyls
-
Polyethylene
-
Polytetrafluroethylene
-
Polymorphic silicon
You may recognize these as PCB's because they were commonly used and attracted a considerable amount of bad press. PCB's had the advantage of improving the stability and insulating qualities of transformer oil. Unfortunately, they were also shown to be carcinogenic and were subsequently removed from future use. This is mostly a problem in older, large transformers and capacitors.
Exam hint: PCB (Polychlorinated biphenyls) and PCB (Printed circuit board) are both present in electronics.
Cheat: Bi phenyls may be present.
Last edited by easternpa. Register to edit
Tags: none
Which of the following injuries can result from using high-power UHF or microwave transmitters?
-
Hearing loss caused by high voltage corona discharge
-
Blood clotting from the intense magnetic field
-
Correct AnswerLocalized heating of the body from RF exposure in excess of the MPE limits
-
Ingestion of ozone gas from the cooling system
Basically a high power UHF or microwave transmitter is doing the same thing as what a microwave oven would do; the frequency may be different, but higher UHF and microwave RF radiation can cause localized heating, just like a microwave would if you ran it with the door open and stuck your arm in.
The specific area that would be heated and the severity of the damage would depend on the frequency and the radiation pattern of the antenna, but you should always be cautious whenever using a high power UHF or microwave signal.
Hint: think about microwave oven which also works in UHF band.
Last edited by ybx332. Register to edit
Tags: none
View Privacy Policy | Get help with HamStudy.org™