REPORTED BY AB0X
Recent information released from a research project headed by Dr.
Dummas Canbee indicates that even casual operation of a small RF transmitter
near the human body can cause cancer. Dr. Canbee, a ham himself, KW0ACK,
said the recent increase in average power output of the the modern handies
that are on the market now could be the main culprit of this problem. As
an example, Dr. Canbee cited the new hand held rigs that put out 5 watts
or more. He stated that most hams get so caught up by the experience of
communicating with people that they often forget about the potential hazards
and serious dangers from over exposure to nearby RF fields. Dr. Canbee's
finding's follow up on the research on the effects of using cellular phones
close to your head. However, with hams, Dr. Canbee has learned that since
so many Technicans and new "No code" hams use small speaker mikes or Vox
headsets with boom mikes, the average ham may be most likely to suffer
from over exposure of RF to the waist, as the rubber duck sits right above
the
belt line. He also points out that waist cancer should be taken
seriously. It can be a Killer!
Dr. Canbee, a DXer himself, first began to study this phenomenon
shortly after he purchased a Godzilla Flamethrower II Linear Amplifier.
He noticed dead birds around the yard underneath the tower, especially
after a DX contest weekend. Also, Dr. Canbee noticed bald squirrels in
trees nearby the tower. At first he attributed the phenomena it to something
like mange that is commonly found in dogs. However, he now believes it
is directly linked to over exspoure to RF. He does recommend that family
pets not be allowed to sleep under the tower during DX contests or major
dxpeditions.
Yet, Dr. Canbee believes the average
DXer is safe as along as he uses well shielded equipment in the shack and
good coax. He does recommend that hams participating in Field Day Activities
should use long runs of coax between the antennas operating positions.
The research indicates that proximity to the
RF maybe more important than the amount of power used. Five watts right
against your body maybe more serious than a thousand watts radiated from
a tower 80 to 100 feet up in the air. Dr. Canbee's research was focused
on the area most commonly in contact with the antenna of a hand held: the
waist area of the body. Listed below are some of the symptoms to watch
for in case hams are uncertain about their use and proximity to RF: loss
of hair on the body, especially in the pubic regions; open, oozing sores
around the belt line; bloating and swelling of tissue along the waist line.
Considering this information, half of the radio club
may be already suffering from some of these symptoms. Dr. Canbee recommended
that hams use common sense in the use of their transmitters, "Talkies should
be unfastened and held high in the air while transmitting." If constant
use of belt clips is continued, he suggests hams should line their shirts
and underwear with aluminum foil. "Some good can come out of this problem,"
said Dr. Canbee. "This could in time solve the problem of the "No Code"
hams. They will all be DEAD soon, if they continue to have no respect for
RF. Remember, waist cancer can be a killer!"
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Reprinted from the Kansas City DX Club newsletter, the KC DX News.
All material is coprighted and may not be reproduced without
permission of AB0X.