It's like the warnings on bread toasters and TVs that tell you not to use
the item while showering.
wrote in message
oups.com...
Shortwave Sportfishing wrote:
On 19 Jan 2006 18:18:36 -0800, "
wrote:

I have just received a ICOM fix-mounted VHF radio. To my surprise, its
instruction says that I must keep the bottom of the radio antenna at
least 1-meter (3.3 feet) away from our heads if the antenna is mounted
in a small boat. I have never heard this before. Is this for real?

yes.

Does this have something to do with strong radio frequency may boil our
brain or cause cancer?

not cancer - the brain boil thing. turns it to mush at 25 watts. its
why i wander around with this blank look on my face.

Does this restriction also apply to 3dB antenna?

all antennas - including car radio antennas, portable radio antennas -
anything that has an antenna.

Does this mean that I need to use an extension to keep the
radio antenna further away from our heads?

at least three feet - further away is better. its best to put the
antenna on a mast at least three feet tall - ten feet tall is the
best.

Thanks in advance for any info about this "unexpected" restriction.

there is no direct evidence that radio waves cause cancer or boil your
brain. there is anecdotal evidence, but it has to be very high power
- like in the megawatts - at the marine radio frequency.

put your antenna where its easy for you to raise and lower and dont
worry about that stupid - rule - its legal beagles being legal and
stuff.

Thanks for clarifying this issue to me. Sound like this is not a
"real" issue for a VHF radio that only uses up to 25 watt.

Jay Chan