[TowerTalk] Brainstorming: A homebrew Steppir like beam....

[Tom Rauch]

> Isn't it also worth focusing on the fact that the issues
discussed in the
> article are all involved in  occupational exposures, which
presuppose
> exposure 8 hours a day for months and probably years?
Just as those of us
> who once changed a couple of asbestos brake linings don't
have to worry
> about mesothelioma from that source, a hobbyist machining
beryllium copper
> for a day or two seems likely to be well outside any risk
envelope.

Exactly. This whole thing smells of the electromagnetic wave
hysteria that was started by a study with flawed data and
exaggeration. Now we have antenna manufacturers highlighting
the fact their antennas contain no toxic materials.

I hate to see anything exaggerated or misrepresented and fed
into the rumor stream. We even have outright falsehoods that
are propagated as fact. Goodness knows we have enough of
that with technical or operational issues involving antenna
systems.

I can't even think of how anyone would create a powder from
BeCu when using it, even when machining it. What would they
be doing, grinding it to size? Why would they do that? And
even if that did happen, would they inhale the fine dust
constantly for weeks and years?

73 Tom