[Boatanchors] slightly off topic (pacemakers)

[Tom Chesek]

Thanks to all that replied.  Anecdotal information was the kind of information that I was looking for.  There is so much “scientific” info on the web and I wanted to bring it down to a digestible level.  Again, thanks!

Tom K3TVC



From: Glen Zook 
Sent: Thursday, October 25, 2012 11:55 AM
To: Tom Chesek ; boatanchors at mailman.qth.net 
Subject: Re: [Boatanchors] slightly off topic (pacemakers)

My cardiologist installed a pacemaker in me about 3-months ago due to low heart rate.  This pacemaker was made by St. Jude Medical which is one of the largest, if not the largest, pacemaker manufacturers in the country.  I checked with the technicians who actually program the pacemaker (after it is in the body), with my cardiologist, and even with the factory about r.f.  All of them said that there is nothing to worry about.


With a pacemaker you cannot have an MRI and I was cautioned about metal detectors such as what is used by the TSA at airports.  In fact, I have a card issued by St. Jude Medical that is used to identify the pacemaker to TSA and others.  You can have a CT scan, but an MRI can cause problems with the programming.  Basically, a high magnetic field might cause problems.  But, r.f. does not cause any problems.


My linear amplifier doesn't quite make 1500-watts output but does make about 1400-watts on 80-meters through 10-meters.  I do have a separate amplifier for 160-meters that puts out about 850-watts.  On 50 MHz, 144 MHz, and 222 MHz, at the present, I have around 100-watts output.  On 432 MHz I presently have about 150-watts output.  There is no reaction when I operate any of those.

Glen, K9STH


Website: http://k9sth.com


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From: Tom Chesek <tchesek at epix.net>
To: boatanchors at mailman.qth.net 
Sent: Thursday, October 25, 2012 6:14 AM
Subject: [Boatanchors] slightly off topic (pacemakers)


I have atrial fibrillation and was told in the past that at some point I would need a pacemaker due to very slow heart rates.  Medication takes care of the fast rates. Does anyone on this list have experience in this area?  Has you doctor told you to keep clear of electromagnetic waves, specifically radio waves?  My friend has a defibrillator and has been cautioned about things such as leaning over a running automobile engine, etc. due to electromagnetic fields but he is not a ham and did not pursue the conversation in with regards to anything else.



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