Safety — Electrical and RF

Electrical Safety

Even at Foundation power levels (10W), safety matters. Mains voltage (240V AC) is lethal.

Basic Safety Rules

• Never open equipment while it's plugged in
• Use the correct fuse rating — never replace a fuse with a higher-rated one
• Keep liquids away from electronic equipment
• Use a proper power supply — don't improvise with unsuitable power sources
• Ensure equipment is properly earthed (grounded)

RF Safety

Radio waves at high enough power can cause tissue heating. At 10 watts this is a low risk, but good habits matter:

• Don't touch the antenna while transmitting — RF burns are painful
• Keep antennas away from people — mount them as high and far from occupied areas as practical
• Don't stare into a waveguide or dish antenna at UHF/microwave

Lightning Safety

• Disconnect your antenna during storms — amateur antennas attract lightning
• Ground your antenna feedline at the point it enters the building
• Don't operate during electrical storms

If Someone Gets an Electric Shock

1. Don't touch them while they're in contact with the electrical source
2. Turn off the power or separate them using a non-conducting object
3. Call 000 (triple zero)
4. Start CPR if they're not breathing