New RF Safety Rules Take Effect; ARRL Seeks Clarification

The FCC's new RF safety rules for amateurs (and others) took effect on June 1, eliminating some categorical exemptions from making

evaluations, and hams now have two years in which to determine whether evaluations will need to be made for any aspects of their stations. The ARRL has filed a petition for clarification with the FCC on two elements of the amended rules, specifically relating to the 2200-meter band and to handheld portable devices (HTs). According to the ARRL Letter, the request centers on technical measurement requirements, noting that the standards themselves have not changed, only the circumstances under which amateurs will need to make specific evaluations.