Mobile repeaters dangerous?
Question for comms / techies out there.
My company are moving to O2, I am the only person who has a patchy signal but for work I need rock solid signal at home; the mobile phone broker supplied a GSM signal repeater which I now have on trial and it does work very well.
http://www.cellantenna.co.uk/index.php?id=50
Does anyone know if these things are safe to use, my main concern is that it will be on full time, beaming signal through the house while my kids sleep soundly below.
I'm not certain if they simply repeat the existing signal to weak areas in the house or actually amplify the existing and either way if these are safe. The website says the product is CE approved.
Cheers[/url]
My company are moving to O2, I am the only person who has a patchy signal but for work I need rock solid signal at home; the mobile phone broker supplied a GSM signal repeater which I now have on trial and it does work very well.
http://www.cellantenna.co.uk/index.php?id=50
Does anyone know if these things are safe to use, my main concern is that it will be on full time, beaming signal through the house while my kids sleep soundly below.
I'm not certain if they simply repeat the existing signal to weak areas in the house or actually amplify the existing and either way if these are safe. The website says the product is CE approved.
Cheers[/url]
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Comments
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You are surrounded by waves, micro, medium and long all day long, and have been all of your life.
They will be fine. Just don't put them in the microwave.I don't do smileys.
There is no secret ingredient - Kung Fu Panda
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Parktools0 -
I agree, this type of 'radiation' is not ionising. I am not saying you are confusing the two, but the press do very little to dispel this myth.
As Cooldad says, EM radiation is everywhere: we wouldn't be able to see without it! Once things get down the wavelengths of UV then we start to see changes, but the microwave radiation here is far longer.0 -
cooldad wrote:They will be fine. Just don't put them in the microwave.
No worries there, my microwave will accept a large chicken at best.supersonic wrote:As Cooldad says, EM radiation is everywhere: we wouldn't be able to see without it! Once things get down the wavelengths of UV then we start to see changes, but the microwave radiation here is far longer.
Ahh, this takes me back to physics at school. So even if the mobile signal is amplified or 'boosted' because it is non-ionising there would not be a risk?0 -
No, no risk, despite Dialy Mail-esque nonsense reports. In fact another "risk" report was debunked last week, if I remember rightly.
Think of it this way... The people who invented microwave-based communications actually knew a lot more about microwaves than newspaper journalists. Which means they knew how to make microwaves cook things, and of course, how to avoid cooking things with microwaves.0 -
I wouldn't expect RF engineers to be experts on the physiological effects. You can only determine that from some research which is why there is a controversy on the effects of mobile phones on the brain.
However, looking at a typical repeater it uses a decent external antenna to communicate with the mobile mast and has 10dBm output - less than a mobile phone. Also, the antenna is not stuck to your head. So I wouldn't worry about the repeater but if you give the make & model number I can look the specifications up.
Keith0 -
Indeed, the debate is still open depends where you read up on it, agree there is some media hype but maybe that's because there is nothing conclusive, namely because the technology is still relatively young.
Here is the gear I have, does this spec sheet help?
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No, but I have managed to find this which should help put your mind at ease: http://www.cellantenna.co.uk/index.php?id=article14
It seems they use 7dBm which is pretty low. As an example, WiFi networks usually use 10dBm or 13dBm.
Keith0 -
Cheers for that link Keith, makes more sense now
so......the 'repeater box' gives you an active (amplified) outgoing leg of the call from mobile to tower; and the signal it beams to the area of your house with poor signal, is probably the same strength as existing in the air i.e its passive. The directional yagi antenna in the loft is more reliable/stable as it's fixed pointing at the O2 mast therefore holding a signal better than a mobile which is moving around and hunting for best signal. Its like having a girt big 'wireless' antenna helping your phone.
...that is if I understand correct.
It always helps to understand the science at least in a basic way...right I'm off to read my Daily Mail
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Basically, yes. The real benefit of the repeater is the big, directional (i.e. With gain) antenna pointing at the mast. It doesn't need much power to then send the signal around the house.
Keith0 -
Top man, thanks again.0
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I put one of these in my house and now I've had all of my children diagnosed with some form of behavioural disorder that I was previously blaming on the MMR.
Sincerely,
A Daily Mail Reader.0 -
You are asssuming that the danger arises from microwave radiation.
Sometimes these repeaters emulate AALS - Aircraft Autoatic landing systems - which is relatively dangerous. You can tell when it is emulating ALS because Boeing 747s will be landing on you roof.
If this happns you should immediately switch off the repeater and remove the plug and then phone the Civil Aviation Authority.
NB - to make the phone call you may need to switch on the repeater briefly.
NB if it is a Military Aircraft (these are grey and have bombs underneath them) on your roof then you should call the Ministry of Defence. Open 9:30 to 3:30 M to F - NOT Bank Holidays.0 -
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...this post is turning into a tabloid zone. Anyone have any more nuggets ?
Actually now I think about it, I also have a mole problem on my lawn, will the radioactive glow also keep them at bay, and will it be a better solution than using white tiger poo which I'm currently buying at exorbitant rates from a local illegal game breeder who keeps one chained to a spike in his back garden.0 -
Moles can be dagerous - you should see a skin specialis0
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So long as you are using white tiger poo and not the brown stuff you should be fine.....0
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No it must be white tiger variety, but failing that if not available I use hard boiled peregrine falcon eggs, diced, with ground up rhino horn sprinkled over - sends em' fleeing to the neighbours garden.0
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If you add in a little ivory dust and some panda gall bladder juice then they will stay away forever.
Trust me....I am an illegal animal parts importer.... 0
