Which distance is the Milsatcom radiation hazard referencing for personnel?

• A. 20 ft
• B. 15 ft
• C. 25 ft
• D. 10 ft

Answer: (A)

The main idea is to protect people by keeping them far enough from a MILSATCOM transmitter so the RF energy they could receive stays below the allowed exposure limit. The referenced distance is a conservative safety value derived from the transmitter’s power, antenna gain (effectively its EIRP), operating frequency, and duty cycle, all of which determine how strong the RF field is at a given distance. In MILSATCOM practice, a 20-foot reference distance is used because it places personnel outside the high-intensity region enough to keep exposure within permissible limits under typical operating conditions. Shorter distances could push exposure above the limit, while longer distances are safer but not the standard reference; 20 feet provides a practical, balance-safe default for field operations.