🚀 go-pugleaf

In article <2427@ucsfcca.ucsf.edu>, jst@cca.ucsf.edu (Joe Stong) writes:
> In article <346@foobar.hf.intel.com> jim@foobar.UUCP (Jim Garver) writes:
> 
> >Better yet, convert that thing to a high power FM 2.5 Ghz transmitter and
> >nuke the neighborhood!
> 
> I hope there was an intended smiley here.  Eeeeeek!
> 
> Someone doing this would give local neighbors cancer and cataracts!

Anyone comtemplating converting a microwave oven into a high power
transmitter should have more worries about his own health than his
neighbors. In the far field (say 100ft) of a 10 degreee beamwidth
antenna (several foot dish) running 500W of rf power the field
strength would be less than 0.5mW/sq.cm. This is (I believe) within
recommended exposure limits and would pose no health threats (though
I wouldn't want to spend 24hrs a day, 365 days a year in such an
environment). More of a problem would be stray rf in the shack. If
anyone is contemplating this conversion (and yes, it can be done) they
had better know what they are doing and have some kind of rf field
strength monitor around. There is no doubt that exposure to high levels
of microwave energy can cause cataracts. The evidence for inducing 
cancers is somewhat less certain, but its not something I would want
to completely ignore. Be Careful. Microwaves are quite friendly if you
know how to treat them right, but they can bite if you don't.

                                       Bob Atkins  KA1GT