RF Meters - Cross posted

[Peter]

I come across transmission towers and sometimes need to get these switched
off or powered down. I have no way of proving this is actually happening
apart from some tech telling me so.
I have checked the net for RF meters and have found they vary in price
range from $20 (basic microwave/hidden bug checker) - $2000 with a lcd
display.
Hoping someone here might have a suggestion of what and where without
costing too much.

Are those lights that people attach to their mobiles that light up on RF
good enough as a basic guide?

Is there something that is similar to what people who work with x-rays
wear?

I am looking for something cheap and strong.
Even better if water resistant.

Thanks

 

[who knows]

Peter,

the "Radman" (brand name) is the personal RF exposure monitor that is
commonly used by RF workers. See http://www.airmet.com.au/ and follow the
links. The radman is set up to match the international guidelines for
acceptable RF exposure limits.

If you only want a simple on/off indicator, then a microwave oven leakage
detector or even a CB radio field strength indicator would probably do. It's
your choice and your body - how much do you reckon you are worth?

Keith G Malcolm
21 June 2007

"Peter" <someone@telstra.com> wrote in message
news:Xns99564BD92BC2Dsomeonetelstracom@203.134.67.67...

I come across transmission towers and sometimes need to get these switched
off or powered down. I have no way of proving this is actually happening
apart from some tech telling me so.
I have checked the net for RF meters and have found they vary in price
range from $20 (basic microwave/hidden bug checker) - $2000 with a lcd
display.
Hoping someone here might have a suggestion of what and where without
costing too much.

Are those lights that people attach to their mobiles that light up on RF
good enough as a basic guide?

Is there something that is similar to what people who work with x-rays
wear?

I am looking for something cheap and strong.
Even better if water resistant.

Thanks

 

[Peter]

how much do you reckon
you are worth?

Enough to worry about but how far do we go?
I don't work with transmission towers but sometimes come across them, hence
my concern. UV radiation would be more of a hazard for my line of work
though I do consider RF radiation to be a hazard and take it seriously.
I don't see the point in myself having a $2000 unit telling me the flavour
and frequency when I am not trained to understand all that information and
it would make very little difference to me. I would like to be able to
confirm if the towers are at an acceptable level (or off) and even have
some sort of warning in case there are RF hazards that I am not aware
about.
Also the device needs to be durable otherwise it may not work after 1 week.
The link you provided me wasn't much help though I think I looked at the
radman and found that they were a little high end for me and the price
matched this. I'm not saying that it is not a good device or good value for
money as I don't know but I feel that it is more than what I need.
Thanks for trying though..

 

[Phil Allison]

"Peter" <someone@telstra.com>

I come across transmission towers .

** You do what ??

and sometimes need to get these switched
off or powered down.

** Why ?

You sound like some kind of anti EM radiation, paranoid freak head.



......... Phil

 

[Phil Allison]

"Peter" <someone@telstra.com

I don't work with transmission towers but sometimes come across them,
hence
my concern.

** Just as mad a thing to say as the first time you dribbled it out.

Just what sort of NUT CASE are you ?

in case there are RF hazards that I am not aware about.

** RF hazard = Big Brother transmitted on VHF 10.

Deadly.



........ Phil

 

[unknown]

"Peter" <someone@telstra.com> wrote in message
news:Xns99564BD92BC2Dsomeonetelstracom@203.134.67.67...

I come across transmission towers and sometimes need to get these switched
off or powered down. I have no way of proving this is actually happening
apart from some tech telling me so.
I have checked the net for RF meters and have found they vary in price
range from $20 (basic microwave/hidden bug checker) - $2000 with a lcd
display.
Hoping someone here might have a suggestion of what and where without
costing too much.

Are those lights that people attach to their mobiles that light up on RF
good enough as a basic guide?

Is there something that is similar to what people who work with x-rays
wear?

I am looking for something cheap and strong.
Even better if water resistant.

Thanks


Why do you need to get them switched off or powered down ? And are you

suggesting that "some tech" is lying or might do so ? Why ?
If you don't want to accept expertise, perhaps it's time you gained some
yourself ?

 

[who knows]

Peter,

your comments are inconsistent.

The Radman is intended to do exactly as you indicate your need - it is
designed to warn the user if RF field levels are "safe" (that is, below the
established exposure guideline limits or not) or "not safe" (that is, above
the guideline limits). You don't need specialised knowledge to use the
device - it "squarks" if it detects excess levels.

I don't understand your comment "I don't work with transmission towers but
sometimes come across them, hence my concern." Either you work within the
potential hazard zone or you don't and the exposure guideline standards are
quite explicit in this regard. If you get "up close and personal" to
transmitting antennas (whether active or not) you need a monitor to be
compliant with the exposure guidelines and OH&S legislation. As a very rough
guide, if you are within about 10 metres of a typical VHF or UHF antenna or
anywhere within the antenna field/farm of an HF/MF site, you need to be
actively monitoring exposure levels.

Simple, straight-forward, and that's part of the cost of working in such
situations.

I have no financial interest, just a few years experience in the field.

Keith G Malcolm
22 June 2007

"Peter" <someone@telstra.com> wrote in message
news:Xns9956BDEF6E880someonetelstracom@203.134.67.67...

how much do you reckon
you are worth?


Enough to worry about but how far do we go?
I don't work with transmission towers but sometimes come across them,
hence
my concern. UV radiation would be more of a hazard for my line of work
though I do consider RF radiation to be a hazard and take it seriously.
I don't see the point in myself having a $2000 unit telling me the flavour
and frequency when I am not trained to understand all that information and
it would make very little difference to me. I would like to be able to
confirm if the towers are at an acceptable level (or off) and even have
some sort of warning in case there are RF hazards that I am not aware
about.
Also the device needs to be durable otherwise it may not work after 1
week.
The link you provided me wasn't much help though I think I looked at the
radman and found that they were a little high end for me and the price
matched this. I'm not saying that it is not a good device or good value
for
money as I don't know but I feel that it is more than what I need.
Thanks for trying though..

 

[Pete]

Why do you need to get them switched off or powered down?

Isn't that obvious?

And are you suggesting that "some tech" is lying or might do so?

Perhaps mistaken, not lying. Or incompetent - there's plenty of that
around.

Peter

 

[Peter]

Why do you need to get them switched off or powered down ?

Because at times I am working in front of them.

And are
you suggesting that "some tech" is lying or might do so ? Why ?

This has been suggested to me, hence my concern.

If you don't want to accept expertise, perhaps it's time you gained
some yourself ?

To gain expertise it helps if you start with asking a question.

Can you/anyone provide an answer?

 

[Phil Allison]

"Peter" <someone@telstra.com>

And are
you suggesting that "some tech" is lying or might do so ? Why ?


This has been suggested to me, hence my concern.

** No I get it !!

This raving lunatic is demanding every antenna in sight to be switched off,
just for him.

So the techs say "... sure thing mate - they are all off, no worries"

Then under their breath '" fucking nut case.... "




........ Phil

 

[David L. Jones]

On Jun 22, 8:34 am, Peter <some...@telstra.com> wrote:

Why do you need to get them switched off or powered down ?

Because at times I am working in front of them.

And are
you suggesting that "some tech" is lying or might do so ? Why ?

This has been suggested to me, hence my concern.

If you don't want to accept expertise, perhaps it's time you gained
some yourself ?

To gain expertise it helps if you start with asking a question.

Can you/anyone provide an answer?

The Nardalert XT or Radman XT is what you want, don't dick around with
anything else.

If you don't use it that often, you can even hire one:
http://www.allara.com.au/productinfo.aspx?prodid=67

I am assuming that this is part of your employment? If so then the
company should pay whatever is needed to ensure your personal safety
on site. Talk to the OH&S people and kick up a stink saying you are at
personal risk and you need this device, money should not be an issue
here.

Dave.

 

[Bruce Varley]

"Peter" <someone@telstra.com> wrote in message
news:Xns99564BD92BC2Dsomeonetelstracom@203.134.67.67...

I come across transmission towers and sometimes need to get these switched
off or powered down. I have no way of proving this is actually happening
apart from some tech telling me so.
I have checked the net for RF meters and have found they vary in price
range from $20 (basic microwave/hidden bug checker) - $2000 with a lcd
display.
Hoping someone here might have a suggestion of what and where without
costing too much.

Are those lights that people attach to their mobiles that light up on RF
good enough as a basic guide?

Is there something that is similar to what people who work with x-rays
wear?

I am looking for something cheap and strong.
Even better if water resistant.

Thanks

If this is 'play' then you can find a gadget and mess round with it, but if

it's for real then you're asking the wrong questions. What are the standards
for the situation that's involved? What are the isolation procedures, and
how are they enforced? It's more likely to be about being able to ensure
that the right switch is off, and remain off until it can be turned back on.

 

[Peter]

Peter,

your comments are inconsistent.

The Radman is intended to do exactly as you indicate your need - it is
designed to warn the user if RF field levels are "safe" (that is,
below the established exposure guideline limits or not) or "not safe"
(that is, above the guideline limits). You don't need specialised
knowledge to use the device - it "squarks" if it detects excess
levels.

I don't understand your comment "I don't work with transmission towers
but sometimes come across them, hence my concern." Either you work
within the potential hazard zone or you don't and the exposure
guideline standards are quite explicit in this regard. If you get "up
close and personal" to transmitting antennas (whether active or not)
you need a monitor to be compliant with the exposure guidelines and
OH&S legislation. As a very rough guide, if you are within about 10
metres of a typical VHF or UHF antenna or anywhere within the antenna
field/farm of an HF/MF site, you need to be actively monitoring
exposure levels.

Simple, straight-forward, and that's part of the cost of working in
such situations.

I have no financial interest, just a few years experience in the
field.

I wish that thank ALL that have replied. Let me try to paint a clearer
picture for you all. I work as a window cleaner and often find myself
having to pass in front of these towers and also rig my ropes past them.
I do not work with the towers but have been an industry leader in trying
to raise the awareness of the hazards from RF transmission. On the 25th
of October 2004 I published an open letter highlighting a number of
areas where our industry association (that I no longer have anything to
do with) have put people in my industry at risk and one of these
subjects was RF transmission hazards. I had raised this issue a few
years earlier with the same association when it was known by a different
name. They are now called the Australian Rope Access Association or ARAA
for short. I have also informed worksafe by this attitude within the
industry.
I am now self employed and have taught myself a lot. I now know how to
get rcsmb documentation and have a great list of contacts in regards to
getting towers switched off or powered down but have been informed that
it is wise to have a personal meter to be sure. This is why I have asked
my question.

The device needs to be durable otherwise it wont last, it needs to be
cheap otherwise others within my industry will not touch it. It has come
to my attention that association committee members are still placing
their workers at risk by failing to get these towers switched off or
powered down. I can tell you with over 15 years industry experience I
have never seen anybody in my industry with a RF meter and when I talk
about this people look at me like I am silly.
The sad thing is it costs nothing to get these towers switched off or
powered down, it is just laziness.

Every carrier has been quite willing to power down or turn of
transmitters and allow myself and others to work in front of them with
out a RF meter. I see it that I take my personal safety a lot more
seriously than others do by actually giving this issue time and
enquiring about a personal meter for my own protection.

I will check out both the Nardalert XT and the Radman XT and will keep
the link handy for the hire of such devices.

Once again I wish to thank everybody that has tried to help and anybody
else that may offer some information about this subject.

 

[Phil Allison]

"Peter"

I wish that thank ALL that have replied. Let me try to paint a clearer
picture for you all. I work as a window cleaner and often find myself
having to pass in front of these towers and also rig my ropes past them.

** What do you imagine office workers on the other side of the windows you
clean are exposed to ?

For how much longer per day than you?

Maybe you think glass is an effective EM shield ?


Snip rest of your impossibly paranoid, pseudo scientific, rabid claptrap.

YAWN...... .


........ Phil

 

[Walt Davidson]

On 22 Jun 2007 20:31:51 +1000, Peter <someone@telstra.com> wrote:

when I talk about this people look at me like I am silly.

No wonder! I have never read such a load of ill-informed twaddle in
all my life.

Your health is probably more jeopardised by the diesel fumes rising
from the street below.

Goodbye.

--
Walt Davidson Email: g3nyy @despammed.com

 

[Peter]

On 22 Jun 2007 20:31:51 +1000, Peter <someone@telstra.com> wrote:

when I talk about this people look at me like I am silly.

No wonder! I have never read such a load of ill-informed twaddle in
all my life.

Your health is probably more jeopardised by the diesel fumes rising
from the street below.

Goodbye.

This is true and this is also a good example of the attitude I get from a
lot of people in the communication industry.

So long!

 

[Jeßus]

Peter wrote:

Peter,

your comments are inconsistent.

Indeed...

<snip>

I wish that thank ALL that have replied. Let me try to paint a clearer
picture for you all. I work as a window cleaner and often find myself
having to pass in front of these towers and also rig my ropes past them.
I do not work with the towers but have been an industry leader in trying
to raise the awareness of the hazards from RF transmission.

So...
You're an "industry leader in trying to raise the awareness of the
hazards from RF transmission" and yet here you are asking very basic
questions to which you must surely already know the answers to if you
are indeed an 'industry leader'. How can you possibly be advising anyone
on this subject within your industry if you don't even know the facts,
or have direct access to solid and verifable information?

I can tell you with over 15 years industry experience I have never seen anybody
in my industry with a RF meter and when I talk about this people look
at me like I am silly.

The same thing has happened here, hasnt it?

Fair enough, you're concerned about RF - but maybe you need to think
twice about what you say... or perhaps how you say it.

FWIW, I don't know of any cheap, reliable and accurate RF meter.

 

[Friday]

Jeßus wrote:

Peter wrote:
Peter,

your comments are inconsistent.

Indeed...

snip

I wish that thank ALL that have replied. Let me try to paint a clearer
picture for you all. I work as a window cleaner and often find myself
having to pass in front of these towers and also rig my ropes past
them. I do not work with the towers but have been an industry leader
in trying to raise the awareness of the hazards from RF transmission.

So...
You're an "industry leader in trying to raise the awareness of the
hazards from RF transmission" and yet here you are asking very basic
questions to which you must surely already know the answers to if you
are indeed an 'industry leader'. How can you possibly be advising anyone
on this subject within your industry if you don't even know the facts,
or have direct access to solid and verifable information?

I can tell you with over 15 years industry experience I have never
seen anybody
in my industry with a RF meter and when I talk about this people look
at me like I am silly.

The same thing has happened here, hasnt it?

Fair enough, you're concerned about RF - but maybe you need to think
twice about what you say... or perhaps how you say it.

FWIW, I don't know of any cheap, reliable and accurate RF meter.

Give the guy a break, at least he's making an effort to do the right
thing. I'd suggest a microwave oven leakage detector would probably do
the job, since you're looking at similar frequencies. Farnell or Jaycar
probably have a very cheap kit available which wouldn't be too hard to
build.

Friday

 

[Peter]

your comments are inconsistent.

Indeed...

snip

I wish that thank ALL that have replied. Let me try to paint a
clearer picture for you all. I work as a window cleaner and often
find myself having to pass in front of these towers and also rig my
ropes past them. I do not work with the towers but have been an
industry leader in trying to raise the awareness of the hazards from
RF transmission.

So...
You're an "industry leader in trying to raise the awareness of the
hazards from RF transmission" and yet here you are asking very basic
questions to which you must surely already know the answers to if you
are indeed an 'industry leader'. How can you possibly be advising
anyone on this subject within your industry if you don't even know
the facts, or have direct access to solid and verifable information?

shows how slow my industry is.
doesn't hurt to ask.

I can tell you with over 15 years industry experience I have never
seen anybody
in my industry with a RF meter and when I talk about this people
look
at me like I am silly.

The same thing has happened here, hasnt it?

Yes, sad isn't it.

Fair enough, you're concerned about RF - but maybe you need to think
twice about what you say... or perhaps how you say it.

Why? I may not get an answer from you but someone else may help.

FWIW, I don't know of any cheap, reliable and accurate RF meter.

Well your no help.

Give the guy a break, at least he's making an effort to do the right
thing. I'd suggest a microwave oven leakage detector would probably do
the job, since you're looking at similar frequencies. Farnell or
Jaycar probably have a very cheap kit available which wouldn't be too
hard to build.

Thanks

 

[Dan N]

On Thu, 21 Jun 2007 11:27:15 +0000, unknown wrote:

If you don't want to accept expertise, perhaps it's time you gained some
yourself ?

Give the guy a break. That appears to be exactly what he's trying to do.

Dan