ODV, On Friday, the FCC published the effective dates for the changes adopted to the RF safety rules back in December, 2019. The new rules go into effect on May 3, 2021. The two-year evaluation period begins on that date, so any new evaluations by amateurs resulting from deletion of the exemptions are mandated to be completed no later than May 3, 2023. The rules changes resulted in some ambiguity with regard to the practicality of required measurements on the amateur LF frequencies and mobile units, and ARRL formally asked the FCC for clarification. The request can be viewed at this link: https://tinyurl.com/2edb6hv6. This week I will be following up on that request. There also is FCC and possibly ARRL work to do to update the amateur part of OET Bulletin 65, which explains application of these rules to amateur licensees. Finally, I intend to follow up on Director Hopengarten’s excellent suggestion, made when EC representatives met with FCC staff, that the FCC publish (on the web) or otherwise indicate approval of one or more RF calculators that could be used by amateurs to determine whether they should conduct an RF safety evaluation pursuant to the FCC’s Rules. While these changes do not affect most amateurs in a substantive manner, each licensee must determine whether or not they are required to do an RF safety evaluation and do so by May 3, 2023, if required. Perhaps the ARRL, if not the FCC, will consider providing a link or links to a reliable on-line calculator for this purpose, if feasible. 73, Dave K3ZJ David R. Siddall Managing Partner DS Law, PLLC 1629 K St. NW, Ste 300 Washington, DC 20006 direct: +1 202 559 4690 Unauthorized Disclosure Prohibited. This e-mail is intended solely for the intended recipient(s) and may contain information that is proprietary, confidential or privileged. If you are not the intended recipient, it is prohibited to disclose, copy, distribute, or use the contents of this email and its attachments. If you received this e-mail in error, please notify the sender by reply e-mail and destroy all electronic and physical copies of the e-mail message and its attachments. Unintended transmission shall not constitute waiver of attorney-client or any other privilege. Thank you.
