Transmitting Power Limits

[jfarr669]

The lower wattage for handhelds was usually 5 watts at VHF and 4 watts at UHF and 3 watts for 700/800mhz. It is a RF exposure limit. Many public safety officials use a remote speaker/mic where the handheld/portable is still worn on the side of the body while transmitting. Anything more is considered "harmful exposure".  You should stay about 3 feet away from a transmitting mobile radio with a mounted antenna, as most mobiles transmit at 15-50 watts, plus the antenna gain, if any.

[Lscott]

The attached papers give a bit more info on RF power exposure limits. This can get rather technical.

 

Limits for Maximum Permissible Exposure (MPE).pdf CNIRP GUIDELINES FOR LIMITING EXPOSURE TO ELECTROMAGNETIC FIELDS (100 KHZ TO 300 GHZ).pdf