With the FCC's updated RF exposure rules that went into effect May 2021, I'm confused about when exactly I need to perform a routine environmental evaluation for my station. The amateur-specific exemption from having to conduct an RF exposure evaluation has been replaced by the FCC's general exemption criteria, though radio amateurs have always had to comply with RF exposure limits. Can someone break down the new requirements?

I operate on HF with 100W and have a basic dipole about 30 feet from my house. Do I need to fill out paperwork or just perform the evaluation myself? Section 97.13 requires the licensee to take certain actions before causing or allowing an amateur station to transmit from any place where the operation could cause human exposure to RF fields in excess of FCC guidelines, and the licensee must perform routine evaluation if transmitter power exceeds specified levels.

Good question! As ARRL Lab Manager Ed Hare noted, "The sky is not falling here. The major aspects of the rules will not impose major new burdens on the Amateur Radio Service". You don't file paperwork with the FCC - you just need to perform your own evaluation. Under revised 97.13(c)(1), you can evaluate household members using occupational/controlled exposure limits if you provide appropriate training, while non-household persons must be evaluated using general population limits per OET Bulletin 65 Supplement B.

The new rules don't change existing RF exposure limits but require stations in all services to be evaluated against existing limits unless exempted, with existing stations having until May 3, 2023 to complete evaluation. For your 100W HF setup with a dipole 30 feet away, you'll likely find you're well within compliance limits using the tables in OET-65 Supplement B.

I went through this evaluation last year and it's really not that complicated. The actual requirements are not nearly as onerous as they sound - most hams will not have difficulty meeting the requirements and are already in compliance with maximum permissible exposure levels. The ARRL website has some good calculators and tables that make the process pretty straightforward.