In article WN_Yf.1391$_u1.990@pd7tw2no, "surfnturf" wrote:
While on the topic of antennas, what do you all think about the issue of RF
exposure and the recomendation that omni directional antennas with a gain of
under 9 dB be mounted 5 meters (15 ft) above deck level?

Even the 1 meter above head level given as minimum height for the base of
the antenna seems to be ignored on many boats.

I don't even like being across the street from a big tower. There are nearly
a hundred services on that including high powered TV and FM stations.
I get passive current meters to raise the needle across the street.
My car remote starter used to be fine on top the hill. At one point
it lost much of its range near this hill because of some new service.
I have been on some small boats looking at that radar spinning.
I guess I don't like the idea of my 3 dB Metz mounted on the front of my
small boat a couple feet from the wheel, but even though I don't like the ideas,
I still use them radios. If I use a 1/4 wave whip antenna, I sure as hell not going to
raise it high in the air. Worse case scenereo, opperating a handheld.

greg