Nomad Willy
Guru
If I ever see this guy I'll tell him there's a lot of curious guys on TF w some questions.
You guys have it all wrong.
Mark,
This is an 'apples to oranges' comparison of completely different technology.
A 3G Broadband FMCW (Frequency Modulated Continuous Wave) radar radiates just 0.165 Watts Calculated Average Power. That's about 1/10 the 1.6 watts maximum allowed in the US.
In contrast, a small, Garmin GMR18HD 4KW radar radiates 2.235 Watts Calculated Average Power, about 13.5 times that of the 3G Broadband radar.
The Garmin's average effect is only 2.235 Watts, and that's only if you hug the radome, or about 50% more than your mobile phone (1.6 watts maximum in the US). The radiation is not cumulative. It is microwave radiation, same as from your microwave oven and quite similar to that of your mobile phone, although slightly different frequency. You will pick up more radiation speaking in your mobile phone, sitting too close to an old TV, standing within 3 feet of the microwave or spending a day in the sun than you will from standing next to a 4 kW radar.
It's just not the same thing.
Larry,
You are not quite right about the 4kw radar. Although the average power is indeed just a few watts, the peak power is 4 kw. That has the capability to damage cells. An analogy might be that you can stand in the rain all day with no damage but the same amount of water falling in a bucket all at once would probably kill you. Also microwave ovens go to great lengths to keep radiation inside the oven by elaborate sealing and gasketing of the door. They are generally about 600 watts and in the same frequency range as radar. Standing in the sun brings up the issue of ionizing versus non-ionizing radiation. Radar is non-ionizing and the jury is still out on just what damage it can do to people but most choose to play it safe where high powers are concerned.
Paul
The owner of the marine elecronics shop where we have purchased all the electronics for both our US boats told me that the only way one could be in danger from the radiation from a typical recreational boat radar like a Furuno would be to hold one's head against the radome of an operating radome for a week.
Maybe you're onto something here. "Oh no honey, it's fine, just lay back down and keep sunbathing... Just keeeeeeep sunbathing..."
Safe? Sure it's safe, no worse than sunbathing!
Just climb up there any time, and hey, the view is great!