Frequently Asked Questions
Q: Don’t the waves go straight out and not down
A: The fact is that antennas that transmit these signals are not perfect
and are made up of the primary beam AND sidelobes. These sidelobes do NOT transmit along the exact plane of the primary beam but at an angle off the main beam. In the New Zealand article where energy was plotted as function of distance the initial bump in energy is due to the sidelobe
and the second bump is from primary beam at some distance from the
antenna.
Still have doubts? Take a look at the sign posted on the fence just outside of the tower. Now ask yourself if it is this dangerous inside this fenced area can it really be safe just outside of the fenced area?
Q: The engineers say that all readings are within FCC and IEEE guidelines.
Doesn’t that mean it is safe.
A: The FCC guidelines were last updated in 1996! Considerable changes in technology and medical knowledge have been released since then. Another thing to consider with RF readings around a tower is the idea of reflection. There are some places where there is only one set of wave, while 10 feet away there can be multiple waves crossing due to reflection from buildings and other objects. Exposure at these points will be considerably higher.
Another factor that will affect readings is the usage. Cell companies emit stronger signals during higher usage times. This give more bandwidth to the cell phone users. If readings are taken at a known “low” time then can be made to look less concerning.
Q: Isn’t the FCC an expert in Cell Tower emissions?
A: The FCC is charged with regulating interstate and international communications. They currently have an extremely small set of people in the United States assigned to the administration of cellular towers..
Q: Don’t we need towers to provide cell service?
A: Absolutely. This site is in no way attacking the Cell Phone industry nor is it under the belief that towers are not needed. The issue here is subjecting our children to the unknown effects of RFR while they are at school. We just want the towers removed from school grounds.
Q: Since the amount of RFR is low how could their be adverse effects?
A: There is countless research that shows that Radio waves effect humans. Additional research shows that children are even more susceptible. Without a long term study of 20-30 years the ultimate effect is not known. Scientist are not saying exactly what will happen from long term exposure, but they are saying that there WILL be some effect on the body.
Q: Who is the school board expert that will answer my questions?
A: The school board has hired Stacy Frank, president of Collier Enterprises to calm your fears about cell phone towers at schools. Collier gets 1/2 of all money brought in by the cell towers.
Q: Doesn’t the school stand to make a large sum of money?
A: Today Cell phone towers contribute $143,000 per year to the school District. There are 176,000 students attending which would mean that the schools get 0.82 per student per year. The annual budget for Hillsborough County Schools is $1.7 Billion. Even at the estimated $230,000 that collier promises the schools will make when all schools have a tower, the amount that cell towers contribute to the annual budget is 0.014%.
Also consider the promises of the Florida Lottery. How much of the Lottery money actually made it to the schools? NOT MUCH!
