Service manual

STP 11-25R13-SM-TG
T - 15
(2) Free space transmission of microwave energy inside building areas or toward areas occupied
by personnel will not be permitted. Whenever possible, the energy will be dissipated into a dummy load
or other closed-end system.
(3) Standing operating procedures (SOP) will be published and enforced. The SOP will control the
position of radiating devices and the movement of personnel, and will minimize exposure of personnel in
the vicinity of generating devices, transmission lines, and feedhorns.
(4) Be sure that interlocks and limiting and/or warning devices installed on the equipment are
operating satisfactorily and are performing the functions for which they are installed. All interlocks and
limiting devices shall be inspected monthly.
(5) Safety and medical personnel (AR 40-5 and AR 40-583) will evaluate each microwave facility.
As part of the evaluation, the installation surgeon will provide guidance to the supervisor of the facility or
activity for the preparation of first-aid instructions and training related to accidental injuries other than
those to eye tissues.
(6) Microwave devices that produce an X-ray hazard will be labeled to warn personnel of this
hazard.
(7) Visual inspection of feed horns, open ends of waveguides, and openings emitting RF
electromagnetic energy shall not be made unless the equipment is definitely known to be deenergized
and secured for such an inspection.
(8) Dummy loads shall be used where practical during tuning, training, testing, or repairing the RF-
transmitting equipment.
(9) Aircraft using high-power radar shall be parked, or the antenna rotated, so that the beam is
directed away from personnel working areas.
(10) Be sure that radar antennas that normally rotate are rotated continuously while radiating, or are
trained to a known safe area.
(11) Train and elevate nonrotating antennas away from inhabited areas while radiating.
(12) When it is necessary to radiate hazardous levels of RF energy, appropriate RF warning signs
shall be posted and entrance into such areas shall be in accordance with TB MED-523.
(13) All personnel shall maintain minimum safe distances from radar antennas. The minimum safe
distances from specific radar antennas and the maximum exposure time within these distances under
certain modes of operation are listed in TB MED 523. The distances and times apply only in areas that
are in or near the main beam of the antenna.
(14) Personnel who wear pacemakers should be extremely careful to avoid entering RF fields, as
many of these devices are very sensitive to such fields.