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				 Radiate Power Question ? 
 
			
			Although it's possible that RF is triggering the alarms, I think it's highly unlikely in this case for the following reasons:
 
 1. Battery operated alarms are physically small, so they make very poor
 receiving antennas. That inherently makes them pretty immune to RF.
 
 2. Although it's possible that one particular design might be
 particularly sensitive, it's unlikely that several quite different ones
 would be equally sensitive.
 
 3. Typical amateur operating habits usually involve a comparatively long
 period of operation at one frequency and direction. A few chirps per day
 doesn't fit this pattern.
 
 So I think you're looking in the wrong place for the problem. But I sure
 don't know where you should be looking. I've had an ionization alarm
 trigger from such things as steam from a nearby bathroom when someone
 takes a shower, but I'd be surprised if it would get thick enough to
 trigger a photoelectric alarm, or widespread enough to trigger multiple
 alarms. But there are probably some resources on the web which can help
 you sort it out. Good luck!
 
 Roy Lewallen, W7EL
 
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