Thought you'd never ask. Sorry, I've been, as usual, too busy to
sit down and write a reply, but I did do a quick journal search.
As I understand it, everything that Richard has said to date is correct.
Microwave/radar energy takes a long time to kill a person, say in
contrast to kinetic energy in the form of something like a bullet.
The question is, however, can it screw up your squash (aka your
noggin).
Just like anyo ther tissue, the brain contains water, water heats
up, proteins denature, enzymes and neurotransmitters unravel and
things don't work as well as they used to, right?
This doesn't appear to be borne out by numerous studies carried
out largely by the Soviets (how this ties into our embassy in
Moscow being bombarded with microwave energy during the 70's
is unknown to me :-)). Incidental exposure to large radar arrays
even at the range of a few meters did not cause any immediate
effects aside from the feeling of warmth. However, long term
subjective complaints of short term memory loss seem to be borne out
by objective testing. This conclusion was not supported by all studies.
An interesting case study involved a US Air Force pilot who stood for five
minutes in front of an F-16 which had its radar on. Again the only
complaint at time of exam was head and neck warmth. He developed a nodule
on his neck after about three days, and also complained of short term
memory loss. The short term memory loss was subjective only, and not
supported by testing. The nodule turned out to be swollen muscle
and cartilage, indicating a cell rupture.
The only death from radar that has been documented occurred in 1957.
The patient died of massive breakdown of the GI tract, and it
took him several days to do so.
SO, at least with TL 8 radar arrays, there does not appear
to be the critical acute effects claimed by Bruce's cohorts.
Now there are some interesting court cases coming up where some
cops are suing their respective departments and a radar gun co.
for causing them to suffer testicular cancer. This is claimed to
occur because the cops left the radar on while the gun was sitting in
their laps. Stayed tuned.
In other TML news, I promised to say that Scott Kellogg successfully
reached San Antonio. He promises to be inflicting us with more
vehicle designs soon.
One of these days (right), I'd like to pursue the bio thread.
People must be really energetic if they want to design an entire
ecosystem. Especially, if you consider that a lot of PhDs have
spent their lifes studying one niche. Could be fun :-).
Back to the grind,
ttfn,
eric