RF testing: Balistics Gel for human analog?

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Discussion Overview

The discussion revolves around the use of ballistic gel and other materials to simulate human body parts for RF testing of antennas, particularly in the 300 to 500 MHz band. Participants explore various methods to replicate the effects of a user's head and hand in close proximity to the antenna during testing.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory
  • Technical explanation
  • Debate/contested

Main Points Raised

  • One participant inquires about using ballistic gel with added salt to simulate body parts for RF testing, expressing frustration with current methods.
  • Another participant asserts that ballistic gel may not be suitable for RF work and suggests contacting manufacturers for appropriate materials, noting that it would only indicate heating effects, not cell damage.
  • A different participant clarifies that the original poster is likely more concerned with RF propagation effects rather than health effects.
  • Concerns about safety at the tested frequency are raised, with one participant suggesting that the original poster should consider safety implications.
  • One participant shares their experience using water balloons filled with salt water and proposes using latex gloves filled with a viscous material to simulate a hand, suggesting that this could hold shape better.
  • The original poster confirms their focus on reflections caused by proximity to the device and mentions that a plastic bucket of water with salt has worked well for simulating a head, but they need a solution for simulating a hand.
  • The original poster expresses interest in trying the latex glove idea and considers using soda straws for added stiffness, while also contemplating using ballistic gel for simplicity.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants express differing views on the suitability of ballistic gel for RF testing, with some supporting its use and others questioning its appropriateness. There is no consensus on the best method for simulating human body parts in this context.

Contextual Notes

Participants acknowledge that the discussion involves assumptions about the materials' properties and their effects on RF propagation, as well as the implications for safety at the tested frequencies.

fizz_it
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I am designing an antenna for a consumer product. The consumer will be very close to the device. I have designed antennas for products like this many times before and have the proper equipment to do so. It's low power, meets all FCC regs for our band etc...

I am tired of doing the antenna design with my hand and head next to the equipment while I do all of the fiddling.

Has anybody ever used Balistics Gel with salt added to simulate a body parts in close proximity of an antenna (near field) in the 300 to 500MHz band?

I have used water balloons filled with salt water before to simulate a users head but in this case I have to have a hand holding the equipment

Anybody use anything else to do this type of work?

Thanks
 
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The safety levels for this have been established already and all you need to do is comply with them.

See the following
http://www.arrl.org/news/rfsafety/hbkrf.html
for some data on this or do a Google search for RF safety.

Ballistics gel is probably not suitable for this as it is not meant for RF work. You could contact the manufacturer and see if they have any suitable materials. This would only give you the heating effect of the RF, though, and not an indication of cell damage.
 
Last edited by a moderator:
I don't think he's concerned with health effects in this case, only the effects on RF propagation, given the proximity of conductive stuff nearby.
 
Yes. Could be.

If he isn't concerned about safety at that frequency, though, he probably should be. Especially if he makes a habit of it.
 
fizz_it said:
I have used water balloons filled with salt water before to simulate a users head but in this case I have to have a hand holding the equipment
My first thought was to do a similar thing with latex gloves. You would probably have to use something fairly viscous so they would hold their shape however.
 
Berkeman nailed it - I'm not interested in the safety but rather reflections that are caused by the proximity of the head and hands to the device. So far a plastic bucket of water and a dash of table salt has proved to be a fair approximation of a head but the hand is now what I have to simulate

dlgoff - I like the latex glove idea. I'll give it try. I can probably cut up some soda straws to provide stiffness and the water will fill in around that. Then go with the gel

I'll just try the gel as it is simple to create

Thanks
 

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