Safety and electromagnetic compatibility

Electrical safety. A station plugs into the mains: respect earthing, properly rated fuses, and never work on live equipment. A power supply's capacitors can stay charged after switch-off — discharge them before touching. Tube amplifiers use dangerous high voltages.

RF field exposure. Transmitting means radiating power: keep safety distances from people, all the more so close to the antenna and at high power. Regulations set exposure limits.

Lightning and masts. An outdoor antenna is a high point: plan lightning protection (arrestor, earthed mast) and the mechanical safety of the installation.

EMC (electromagnetic compatibility). Your transmitter must not disturb other equipment, and vice-versa:

• TVI / BCI: interference to neighbours' TV / radio, often due to poorly filtered harmonics (see Émetteur et récepteur) or badly shielded devices.
• Filtering and shielding are the remedies: low-pass filters at the transmitter output, ferrites on cables, good shielding.
• On the receive side, domestic noise sources (switch-mode supplies, screens, LEDs) degrade your floor — a real issue in town.

All of this sits within the amateur service's legal framework — see Réglementation du service amateur and Légal & sécurité.