The frequency and wattage of the CURAPULS are not unlike that of
high-frequency radio waves output by ham radios. Ham radio high-frequency
waves are approximately 15 meters peak-to-peak at 21 MHz, or 10 meters at
28 MHz; whereas, the CURAPULS is 12 meters peak-to-peak at 27 MHz (27.12 MHz).
Typical ham radio power output is 2,000 watts PEP (peak envelope power) and
1,000 watts DC (direct current), while the CARAPULS's appears to be
1,000 watts PEP and 400 watts DC.
Many ham operators are also computer enthusiasts and successfully use both
electronic devices simultaneously. The key to the CURAPULS's impact on the
Macintosh is how the radio waves are radiated. That is, will waves radiate
from a roof antenna, or (because it is a medical instrument) contained
within a shielded space or focused wand? If the waves are directly focused
at the Macintosh with a high volts-per-meter intensity, you may have
difficulties.
Less hazardous symptoms of the high-frequency waves include distortion of
the screen. Potentially more damaging symptoms include interference with
reading and writing to disk drives.
Good shielding and grounding of the Macintosh and peripherals will reduce
the effects of any symptoms. For instance, Macintoshes with internal
drives are less susceptible to radio interference than external drives.
Internal hard disks are less susceptible than external hard disks,
which tend to have poorer shielding. External devices also have their
own power cords, thereby making for a greater chance of ground loop
interference.
Because Macintoshes aren't tested for susceptibility to external RFI, we
cannot definitively state the amount of interference a Macintosh tolerates
before problems may occur. Given the number of ham radio operators using
computers near their antennas, and the similarity of the ham radio waves
and the CURAPULS radio waves, it is not likely that there will be any major
problems using the Macintosh while using the CURAPULS. However, be
cautious; experiment with the location of the equipment using nonessential
data. Such experiments might include a high number of read/write cycles to
disks, followed by verification of data integrity.