Is WiFi really not good for us?

**Lurch** · 07-19-18, 02:31 PM

I had been avoiding wireless for many years, refusing to own a cell phone and WiFi internet, instead getting a wired phone and wired broadband bc "it might be bad for you".
Yesterday I bought a Roku Streaming Stick which opens my TV up to hundreds of channels and the reception is amazing. I'm getting WiFi from my Linksys E1000 wired / wireless router. I guess some of that technology might be OK.

I don't want a cell phone but I'm thinking about getting an Amazon Fire Tablet which is also WiFi.

**Philip** · 07-19-18, 02:54 PM

With any type of wireless, including Wi-Fi (2.4GHz, 5GHz), and cell phones (700-800MHz, 1.8-2GHz frequency bands) reception does not harm you, it is only transmission that may possibly be bad. Different transmitters (phones) have different power levels when transmitting, but, according to the FCC they all have to transmit at less than 30dBm / 1 Watt. For comparison, a microwave oven transmits at 800-1000 Watts in a similar frequency band.

Studies about the harm of such low-power transmitters have been inconclusive, however, either way the danger is reduced by distance considerably (square/logaritmic scale). If you are worried about dangerous effects, just use a bluetooth or speakerphone, every inch that you separate your brain/organs from the headset reduces the dangers a lot (think of something like twice per inch). Also most of the possible danger is while actively transmitting.

**Lurch** · 07-19-18, 03:08 PM

Hi Philip,

Do you mean a bluetooth or speaker phone for a cell phone?
I have a VoIP land line with BasicTalk that only costs me $13.50 a month.

Would I gain anything if I went to WiFi for my 100 Mbps broadband connection?
I have a Dell OptiPlex GX 620. I'm not even sure if it could be WiFi.
But I could get a laptop or a WiFi ready desktop.

***YeOldeStonecat*** · 07-19-18, 03:15 PM

Whenever I do some higher power long distance wireless setups....I'll have a pretty killer headache for a few days after hanging a radio during a tower climb.

**Lurch** · 07-19-18, 03:15 PM

The picture quality on that Roku are amazing and in 1080p. I'm hooked.

**Lurch** · 07-19-18, 03:17 PM

Originally Posted by YeOldeStonecat

Whenever I do some higher power long distance wireless setups....I'll have a pretty killer headache for a few days after hanging a radio during a tower climb.

Are you saying that WiFi causes headaches?

***YeOldeStonecat*** · 07-19-18, 03:47 PM

Originally Posted by Lurch

Are you saying that WiFi causes headaches?

Well, I'm working with some much more powerful radios than in a home, I'm working with outdoor Ubiquiti airMax and airFiber units that do long distance point to point shots. For miles..
When I'm setting them up in our office initially..just doing the programming and firmware upgrades...people will complain of headaches. Again..these are powerful units though...with ranges about 10, 20 even 100 miles.
For a home wireless router, so long as you're not an inch or two away from it for 24 hours a day I'm sure you're fine.

Hope you're doing well!

**Lurch** · 07-19-18, 06:02 PM

Thank you. This has been a wonderful forum for asking tech questions like this.
I'm loving the Roku WiFi TV. It's about time I got into this.

**Lurch** · 07-19-18, 08:41 PM

How about those Amazon Kindles and Fires? Are they hazardous to heath?

**Humboldt** · 07-19-18, 11:08 PM

Originally Posted by Lurch

How about those Amazon Kindles and Fires? Are they hazardous to heath?

Off topic, but good to see you Lurch, hope you're doing well.

**Philip** · 07-20-18, 02:20 AM

Originally Posted by Lurch

How about those Amazon Kindles and Fires? Are they hazardous to heath?

They are fine, I wouldn't worry about them.

***YeOldeStonecat*** · 07-20-18, 07:09 AM

Originally Posted by Lurch

How about those Amazon Kindles and Fires? Are they hazardous to heath?

All standard low power devices in the home.

**Lurch** · 07-20-18, 02:23 PM

Originally Posted by Humboldt

Off topic, but good to see you Lurch, hope you're doing well.

Hi there. Good to see you too.

I'm fine, how are you?

**Rainbow** · 07-30-18, 10:17 AM

Strong Wifi has always caused my son headaches, started when he was very young. I always thought he was crazy but he always turned the router off every night. Drove me crazy!

**Philip** · 07-30-18, 12:25 PM

Hi Rainbow, nice to see you around

Was he close to the router for extended periods of time? What brand/model was it, do you remember? Just curious.

**Rainbow** · 07-30-18, 01:28 PM

Originally Posted by Philip

Hi Rainbow, nice to see you around

Was he close to the router for extended periods of time? What brand/model was it, do you remember? Just curious.

Yes at the time it was in his bedroom. I believe it was the fios actiontec router. He is 28 now and still turns his wifi off at his house when not needed.
When he was young at home he would just unplug the router (he didn't know how to just turn the wifi off) which gave ME headaches since i have a lot of devices including cameras etc.