On Mon, 24 Oct 2005 19:42:10 -0700, matt weber <mattheww50@cox.net>
wrote:

>Generally products that operate in 'unlicensed' terrirotory are
>limited to 100 milliwatts output.

Most 2.4Ghz mesh network radios operate at 1 watt into a 6dBi omni
antenna which is the maximum legal for FCC 15.247.

>That covers Wireless LAN, and
>cordless phones.

Cordless phones also vary. Engenius SN-920 900MHz phones xmit about
0.9 watts.
http://www.futurecomtech.com/engenius_sn-920_faq.htm

>hand held Mobile phones operate in licensed
>territory, and may put out up to 2 watts instantaneous power.

Cellular handsets are limited to 0.6 watts. Mobiles can go to 3
watts. All of the handsets have automatic power control to limit the
tx power to only as much as necessary. The tiny new phones barely
transmit at more than 0.1 watt.

http://www.mapcruzin.com/rfr_maps/index.html

>However the epidemilogical evidence of serious risk even at this level
>is lacking.

The risk is not in the health issues, but in the legal exposure.

>The military, and police have been using devices with even
>higher output for decades, and the evidence that these devices are
>contributing to an early death is sorely lacking.

One might argue that the use of radio by law enforcement might explain
their general lack of sanity, but no research has been done on this
connection.

>So while they may
>indeed be a risk, almost be definition, it must be buried in the
>'noise'

The current adage is "if it saves one life..." and such. Statistically
insignificant health risks have been regulated off the market and will
probably continue to be regulated as long as victims can be
manufactured. When something goes wrong, a culprit must be found.
Eventually, the legal machinery will realize that EVERYTHING we do is
potentially unsafe and cannot be protected by legal action.
--
Jeff Liebermann jeffl@comix.santa-cruz.ca.us
150 Felker St #D http://www.LearnByDestroying.com
Santa Cruz CA 95060 http://802.11junk.com
Skype: JeffLiebermann AE6KS 831-336-2558