Live data from Hacker News

Ask HN: Can you recommend a radiometer to measure phone radiation?

news.ycombinator.com

1–7 of 7 posts

Re: Ask HN: Can you recommend a radiometer to measure phone radiation?

#3
I believe that what you’re looking for is called a “spectrum analyzer”. You’ll need a calibrated antenna, too.

I’m guessing that SAR (specific absorption rate) is usually measured with a block of soggy flesh-imitating goo that’s set up as a calorimeter, though. You could look up how the FCC defines SAR, perhaps.

Re: Ask HN: Can you recommend a radiometer to measure phone radiation?

#5

Like this? http://www.blackcatsystems.com/GM/GeigerCounters.html

Wrong sort of radiation. A mobile phone emits radio waves not ionizing atomic particles. No ionizing radiation of any kind in fact.

Which is why mobile phones are completely harmless (from a radiation perspective anyway).

Careful not to go out in the sunshine though.

Re: Ask HN: Can you recommend a radiometer to measure phone radiation?

#6
post #3

I believe that what you’re looking for is called a “spectrum analyzer”. You’ll need a calibrated antenna, too. I’m guessing that SAR (specific absorption rate) is usually measured with a block of soggy flesh-imitating goo that’s set up as a calorimeter, though. You could look up how the FCC defines SAR, perhaps.

The consensus standard for this sort of test is IEEE 1528, and you are absolutely correct. The test uses a gel phantom (the standard provides a few formulations for different frequencies but most are a mixture of water, salt, sugar, and a thickener) and it is poked at with a sensitive probe to measure local temperature rise.

Re: Ask HN: Can you recommend a radiometer to measure phone radiation?

#7
post #6
post #3

I believe that what you’re looking for is called a “spectrum analyzer”. You’ll need a calibrated antenna, too. I’m guessing that SAR (specific absorption rate) is usually measured with a block of soggy flesh-imitating goo that’s set up as a calorimeter, though. You could look up how the FCC defines SAR, perhaps.

The consensus standard for this sort of test is IEEE 1528, and you are absolutely correct. The test uses a gel phantom (the standard provides a few formulations for different frequencies but most are a mixture of water, salt, sugar, and a thickener) and it is poked at with a sensitive probe to measure local temperature rise.

thanks to both of you for the specific info