[Elecraft] Smoke detectors

[David Woolley]

Radio waves are non-ionising radiation, so there is no fundamental 
reason why radio frequencies should trigger ionisation detectors.

Also, at least in Europe, ionisation detectors are no longer the 
preferred type. Optical detectors are the generally preferred type, and 
ones which combine heat and optical detection seem to be most favoured.

Actually ionisation detectors alarm when the current reduces, so 
additional ionisation would probably de-sensitise, rather than trigger 
them.  They include an alpha emitter to generate the ionisation, so are 
radioactive.

The main advantage is that they are cheap.

-- 
David Woolley

On 25/10/2020 10:36, Geoffrey Feldman wrote:
> The reason to keep smoke detectors from Amateur Radios is that they detect
> smoke by ionization from a radioactive source.  A strong near field will set
> them off.  The good news is that this is your indication that all is not > right at the feed line (Or the antenna is unhealthy close).  I have 
had this
> experience myself, fixed the feed line and the issue went away.   That was
> with 100w on 80 meters.  Unlike real smoke, the detector will stop
> complaining when the transmission stops.