1ST Pacemaker this Thursday

I was attempting to figure out which model. I am a Amateur (Radio) Operator which will require me to make sure my antennas are outside and probably not be able to run higher power levels anymore. There was an article on the ARRL National Organization's website that said, "I can still use my equipment but with caution."

I am looking at the Medtronic but I am not sure what they will attempt to give me on Thursday.

I have had significant weight loss and they are hoping the pacemaker will amp my system up again so the digestive system will work better. I sure hope so.

4 Comments

My own experience. . .

by SteveE - 2013-12-17 09:12:00

I have a Boston Scientific S603 pacemaker, and I am also a long-time ham operator. My rig is one of the "standard" 100-watt output HF rigs, feeding a ground-mounted vertical antenna with buried radials in the back yard. The "shack" is on the second floor of the house. I called the Boston Scientific tech support department and asked the rep if I needed to take any special precautions regarding the RF field from my radio. I described to him the power level, frequency and layout of the station. He seemed very well informed and went on to explain to me that it would likely take "hundreds of times" the power my rig puts out before there "might" be any risk. At amateur HF frequencies, with normal station design parameters, he said there is not likely to be any issue at all. I took him at his word, but also when I first went back on the air, I started at low power and worked my way up to full 100 watts on each band (80, 40, 20, 15 and 10 meters). No issues noted at all. I'm a happy camper.

I guess the only time I would have concerns is if you were using an indoor antenna or if somehow you were in a high-saturation zone of RF.

Want to meet on CW? PM me if you are interested.

Be careful

by Theknotguy - 2013-12-17 09:12:55

I've got the Medtronics. It's a pretty robust unit. Haven't had any problems with RF so far. In their manual it indicates you can use a microwave oven with no problems. Others on this site have said you can even arc weld as long as you stay away from the generator. Some have said three feet others a foot.

I'm guessing you can still do Amateur Radio as long as you don't blast yourself with RF. And since you need to cut down on RF so you can hear your radio it should be below what your PM can handle. Probably want to give up your research into high powered radar.

I've traveled through an area where TV stations are broadcasting. If you put up and unshielded monitor you'll get the wave patterns on the screen from the RF so it's pretty bad. No problem with my Medtronics. In fact I didn't think about it until I saw your note.

And, of course, don't pick up live 110 volt lines with your PM. You might get a charge from your hobby.

Hang in there. Life gets better.

Theknotguy

pacemakers

by Tracey_E - 2013-12-17 10:12:50

Any brand of pm will work to increase your heart rate. If you need rate response to get your rate up with activity, then there are some models that may work better for you than others. For the most part they more or less work the same. Some do a lot of research but most of us go with our dr's recommendation.

My husband is an amateur radio operator. None of his equipment has ever bothered me. Industrial magnets are the main thing we need to avoid.

When they say with caution, that means they really don't know what the deal is but they're are cya. :o) Rule of thumb is keep your pm 6" from anything questionable. You are not going to damage the pm. The worst thing you can do is temporarily put it in test mode, which does not feel good if you pace a lot. If you rarely pace, you may not even feel it. You are safe in this mode, it is still pacing but at a flat rate rather than responsively going up and down as needed. As soon as you get away from the source of the interference, the pm goes back to full function with no harm done.

What is causing your low heart rate?

Safely Home

by fconzero - 2013-12-20 06:12:44

Pacemaker purring like a newborn baby as of today. However, cold and tired. Hoping the pacemaker will soon allow body systems that had shutdown like my digestive system get going so the weight loss and bone pains will stop and maybe I will gain a poound or two. Thank you for any prayers as it has been a long 9 weeks getting to this point.

You know you're wired when...

You have a 25 year mortgage on your device.

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