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SESK: Stuff Everyone Should Know · sesk.info/ham-duty-cycle-power-density

What happens to allowable RF power density when duty cycle drops from 100 to 50 percent?

It can increase by a factor of two.

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  1. It decreases by half
  2. It increases by a factor of two ✔
  3. It cannot be adjusted

Why: A 50 percent duty cycle transmits half the time during the averaging period. Twice the transmitting power density produces the same time-averaged exposure as continuous transmission.

Huh, didn't know that: Duty-cycle adjustments use average exposure, not only peak power.

The dad joke
The transmitter worked half time and called it a balanced cycle.
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References

Answer: It increases by a factor of two. A 50 percent duty cycle transmits half the time during the averaging period. Twice the transmitting power density produces the same time-averaged exposure as continuous transmission.

  1. NCVEC 2026-2030 Technician Question Pool www.ncvec.org/downloads/2026-2030%20Technician%20Pool%20and%20Syllabus%20Public%20Release%20Feb%2019%202026.pdf
    C. It increases by a factor of 2
    Checked 2026-10-09.

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