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PRELIMINARY EVALUATION OF THE NARDA MODEL 8300 POWER DENSITY METER

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R. B. GRAHAM, JOHN M. HEMPHILL · 1972

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Early RF measurement technology like the NARDA 8300 established the foundation for today's EMF exposure assessment.

Plain English Summary

Summary written for general audiences

This 1972 technical report evaluated the NARDA Model 8300 power density meter, an early instrument designed to measure electromagnetic energy levels from radio frequency sources. The study examined the meter's performance characteristics, including its thermocouple-based detection system for quantifying RF power density in various environments.

Why This Matters

This technical evaluation represents a crucial piece of EMF measurement history from the early 1970s, when scientists were just beginning to develop reliable instruments for quantifying electromagnetic exposures. The NARDA 8300's thermocouple technology laid groundwork for modern EMF meters that we rely on today to assess exposure levels from cell phones, WiFi, and other wireless devices. What makes this particularly relevant is that accurate measurement has always been the foundation of EMF health research. Without reliable instruments like the 8300, researchers couldn't establish the exposure levels that later studies would link to biological effects. The reality is that measurement technology often lags behind the deployment of new EMF sources, leaving gaps in our understanding of actual human exposures.

Figures from the Original Paper

Diagrams extracted from the original research document.

diagramPage 5 - AI-described figure: Figure 1 depicts a schematic layout with labeled points and arrows indicating connections between three labeled structures (SF-1, SF-2, SF-3) around point 'A'.
p. 5 of the original PDF
diagramPage 6 - AI-described figure: A diagram illustrating a setup for the Narda 8321 Project involving an extension pole and two individuals at ground level.
p. 6 of the original PDF

Exposure Information

A logarithmic frequency spectrum from 10 Hz to 100 GHz showing where this study's 300 MHz to 18 GHz exposure sits relative to common EMF sources.Where This Frequency Sits on the EMF SpectrumELFVLFLF / MFHF / VHFUHFSHFmm10 Hz100 GHzThis study: 300 MHz to 18 GHzPower lines50/60 HzCell phones~1 GHzWiFi2.4 GHz5G mm28 GHzLogarithmic scale

Specific exposure levels were not quantified in this study.

Study Details

To evaluate the Narda Model 8300 Power Density Meter for use in measuring average power density (APD) of electromagnetic energy at radio frequencies in various field settings including far field, near field, and intermediate zones.

The evaluation was conducted by USAF Radiological Health Laboratory personnel at Wright-Patterson AF...

The Narda Model 8300 has isotropic spatial response from 300 MHz to 18 GHz and uses only one antenna...

The Narda Model 8300 provides significant advantages over other available power density measuring devices due to its isotropic spatial response and broad frequency range. It is extremely satisfactory in virtually all respects, with ease of use, repeatability of results, and ability to make near field measurements. Any noted disadvantages have been offset by these advantages. The instrument is suitable for establishing personnel R-F hazard distances and measuring levels near and below 10 mW/cm².

Cite This Study
R. B. GRAHAM, JOHN M. HEMPHILL (1972). PRELIMINARY EVALUATION OF THE NARDA MODEL 8300 POWER DENSITY METER.
Show BibTeX
@article{preliminary_evaluation_of_the_narda_model_8300_power_density_meter_g3930,
  author = {R. B. GRAHAM and JOHN M. HEMPHILL},
  title = {PRELIMINARY EVALUATION OF THE NARDA MODEL 8300 POWER DENSITY METER},
  year = {1972},
  
  
}
No DOI on file for this study.

Quick Questions About This Study

The NARDA 8300 was an early radiofrequency measurement instrument from 1972 that used thermocouple technology to detect and quantify electromagnetic power density levels from RF sources in various environments.
Thermocouples in RF meters like the NARDA 8300 converted electromagnetic energy into heat, then measured the temperature change to calculate power density levels, providing a direct physical measurement of RF exposure.
1972 marked an early period when scientists were developing the first reliable instruments to measure electromagnetic exposures, establishing measurement standards that would become crucial for later EMF health research.
Early meters like the NARDA 8300 provided the measurement foundation that allowed researchers to quantify actual exposure levels, making it possible to correlate specific EMF intensities with biological effects.
While modern meters are more sensitive and cover broader frequency ranges, they still rely on the same basic principles established by early instruments like the NARDA 8300's thermocouple-based detection system.