Question
When must an RF exposure evaluation be performed on an amateur station operating on 80 meters?
Answer Options
- A) An evaluation must always be performed
- B) When the ERP of the station is less than 10 watts
- C) When the station’s operating mode is CW
- D) When the output power from the transmitter is less than 100 watts
Correct Answer: A
Explanation
The FCC sets power thresholds below which a station is categorically exempt from needing an RF exposure evaluation. However, these thresholds are highly dependent on the operating frequency (band). RF heating is less efficient at the very low HF frequencies (like 160m and 80m) compared to VHF or UHF.
The FCC rules specify a power threshold for 80 meters below which an evaluation is not required. The threshold is 100 watts PEP for the 80 meter band. Since none of the options state that the power is below 100 W, the safest and technically correct response covering all scenarios outside of the low-power exemption is that An evaluation must always be performed.
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