SBCA Safety & Regulatory Compliance 2 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: What is the maximum permissible exposure (MPE) limit for RF radiation used by the FCC to protect the general public?
- 5 mW/cm² at any frequency
- 1 mW/cm² averaged over 30 minutes
- Frequency-dependent limits defined in OET Bulletin 65 (Correct answer)
- 10 mW/cm² for continuous exposure
Correct answer: Frequency-dependent limits defined in OET Bulletin 65
The FCC uses frequency-dependent MPE limits detailed in OET Bulletin 65 to protect both workers and the general public from RF radiation.
Question 2: Which OSHA standard primarily governs electrical safety for satellite installation technicians working on commercial structures?
- 29 CFR 1910 (General Industry)
- 29 CFR 1926 (Construction) (Correct answer)
- 29 CFR 1904 (Recordkeeping)
- 29 CFR 1915 (Shipyard Employment)
Correct answer: 29 CFR 1926 (Construction)
OSHA 29 CFR 1926 covers construction safety standards, which apply to technicians installing satellite systems on buildings and structures.
Question 3: When installing a satellite dish near an airport, what FAA regulation must be checked to ensure the structure does not pose a hazard to air navigation?
- FAR Part 77 — Obstruction Standards (Correct answer)
- FAR Part 91 — General Operating Rules
- FAR Part 139 — Airport Certification
- FAR Part 107 — Small UAS Rules
Correct answer: FAR Part 77 — Obstruction Standards
FAR Part 77 establishes obstruction standards and requires notification to the FAA for structures that may affect navigable airspace near airports.
Question 4: A satellite dish is mounted on a tower that exceeds 200 feet AGL. Under FCC and FAA rules, what lighting requirement typically applies?
- Red obstruction lighting per FAA Advisory Circular 70/7460-1 (Correct answer)
- Green aviation lighting at the base only
- White strobe lights at every 50 feet
- No lighting is required if the structure is painted orange
Correct answer: Red obstruction lighting per FAA Advisory Circular 70/7460-1
Structures exceeding 200 feet AGL generally require red obstruction lighting per FAA Advisory Circular 70/7460-1 to warn aircraft.
Question 5: Under FCC rules, a satellite earth station operating in the Ku-band must coordinate with which database to avoid interference with fixed service licensees?
- Universal Licensing System (ULS) interference coordination database
- NTIA frequency assignment database only
- FCC Part 25 coordination with affected terrestrial licensees (Correct answer)
- ITU Space Network List exclusively
Correct answer: FCC Part 25 coordination with affected terrestrial licensees
FCC Part 25 requires earth station operators to coordinate with potentially affected terrestrial fixed service licensees before commencing operations.
Question 6: What does the term 'EIRP' refer to in satellite communications regulatory filings?
- Effective Isotropic Radiated Power — the antenna gain times transmit power (Correct answer)
- Equivalent Interference Reduction Parameter
- Electronic Interference Registration Protocol
- Effective Incoming Relay Power at the satellite
Correct answer: Effective Isotropic Radiated Power — the antenna gain times transmit power
EIRP (Effective Isotropic Radiated Power) is the product of the transmitter power and antenna gain, a key parameter in FCC licensing and interference analysis.
Question 7: Which safety practice is required when a technician must work within the exclusion zone of an active satellite uplink transmitter?
- Wear standard cotton clothing only
- De-energize the transmitter or obtain written RF safety authorization and use appropriate PPE (Correct answer)
- Use a standard hardhat rated for electrical work
- Maintain a 3-foot buffer and proceed normally
Correct answer: De-energize the transmitter or obtain written RF safety authorization and use appropriate PPE
Working in an RF exclusion zone requires either shutting down the transmitter or following a written RF safety plan with appropriate PPE to prevent exceeding MPE limits.
SBCA Safety & Regulatory Compliance 2
What is the maximum permissible exposure (MPE) limit for RF radiation used by the FCC to protect the general public?