Operator Tools

Know your station is compliant.

Calculate RF exposure per FCC OET Bulletin 65. Model your antennas, feedline loss, and operating modes, then see exactly where you stand against controlled and uncontrolled limits.

Open the Calculator Claim Your Callsign

Pick your setup. Get your answer.

Select your band, mode, power, antenna type, and feedline. The calculator applies frequency-dependent loss curves, duty cycles from OET-65 Supplement B, and antenna gain automatically. Supports 160m through 23cm.

Antenna presets: dipole, vertical, Yagi, quad, J-pole, rubber duck, and more
Feedline library: RG-58, RG-8X, RG-213, LMR-400, LMR-600, hardline
Mode duty cycles for SSB, CW, FM, FT8, RTTY, and more
Custom override for feedline loss and antenna gain when your setup is not in the list

Groundwave RF exposure calculator form with band, mode, power, antenna, and feedline inputs

Clear pass/fail results for both exposure zones.

See your power density as a percentage of the FCC limit for both controlled (you and your family) and uncontrolled (neighbors, public) environments. The gauge shows exactly how much margin you have.

Separate controlled and uncontrolled compliance percentages
Minimum safe distances calculated for each antenna
Save evaluations to your account and export to PDF

Groundwave RF exposure compliance results showing controlled and uncontrolled gauge bars with pass status

FCC Requirement

Part 97.13(c)(1) requires every amateur station to perform an RF exposure evaluation. No exceptions based on power level since the 2021 rule change.

Takes Five Minutes

Pick your band, mode, power, antenna, and feedline. The calculator does the rest. No need to look up MPE tables or pull out a calculator.

Documentation Ready

Save your evaluation and export a PDF. If the FCC ever asks, you have a complete record of your compliance analysis with all parameters documented.

Free for every ham.

The RF Exposure Calculator is a free individual operator tool. No subscription required, no limits. Claim your callsign and start evaluating your station.

Open the Calculator

What is an RF exposure evaluation?

The FCC requires all amateur radio operators to evaluate their stations for RF exposure compliance. This means calculating the power density at locations where people could be exposed and comparing it against FCC limits from OET Bulletin 65.

Do I need to do an RF exposure evaluation?

Yes. Since 2021, all amateur radio stations must perform an RF exposure evaluation regardless of power level. There are no longer any categorical exemptions based on power alone.

What is the difference between controlled and uncontrolled environments?

Controlled environments are areas where people are aware of RF exposure, like your shack or antenna tower base. Uncontrolled environments are areas accessible to the general public, like a neighbor's yard. The FCC sets stricter limits for uncontrolled environments.

Can I evaluate multiple antennas at once?

Yes. Groundwave supports up to 8 antennas per evaluation. The calculator sums the power density contributions from each antenna at your evaluation distance, which is how the FCC requires multi-transmitter environments to be assessed.

Does this cost anything?

No. The RF Exposure Calculator is completely free for every licensed amateur on Groundwave. Save evaluations, export PDFs, and re-run calculations as often as you need.

Evaluate your station today.

It takes five minutes. Know where you stand against FCC limits.

Open the Calculator

Questions? hello@groundwavehq.com