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RADIO OPERATOR WARNING
Icom requires the radio operator to meet the
FCC Requirements for Radio Frequency Expo-
sure. 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 re-
quirements. 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 allow-
able 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 EXPO-
SURE LIMITS ARE OBSERVED AT ALL TIMES DURING
RADIO TRANSMISSION. THE RADIO OPERATOR IS TO
ENSURE THAT NO BYSTANDERS COME WITHIN THE
RADIUS OF THE MAXIMUM PERMISSIBLE EXPOSURE
LIMITS.
Determining MPE Radius
THE MAXIMUM PERMISSIBLE EXPOSURE (MPE) RA-
DIUS 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 MAXI-
MUM GAIN OF 9dBi ARE USED FOR A SHIP MOUNTED
SYSTEM.
