AM transmitters are not dangerous

In response to the Nov. 2 letter claiming that new radio antenna towers to be located in the Snohomish valley will cause a health risk: It is simply not true. A report that was submitted to the hearing examiner confirms that AM broadcast frequencies have no effect on human health.

After reading the hard copy of the hearing examiner’s decision, it became clear to me that the hearing examiner was flooded with information about other frequncies and safety standards to purposely confuse the issue with AM radio. The hearing examiner, not being sure how to disseminate the information, is taking a play-it-safe response by denying the two remaining towers.

Trying to compare cell phone and AM broadcast transmitters is like comparing apples to oranges.They are not the same and have different physical characteristics. Are all cars and trucks the same?

I am an FCC-certified electronic technician who lives less than five miles from the transmitter site and I have no concerns about the new 1520 transmitter. I would advise the County Council to approve the remaining two towers because they have nothing to worry about.

There are several 50-kilowatt AM stations in Southern California that are located in highly populated areas and I do not see those stations being required to move. It just sounds like that folks in the Snohomish valley are being driven by hysteria, not facts.

Steve Burling

Snohomish