Section 4A: Safety Guidelines 159Getting the Most Out of Your ReceptionKeeping Tabs on Signal StrengthThe quality of each call you make or receive depends on the signal strength in yourarea. Your phone informs you of the current signal strength by displaying a numberof bars next to the signal strength icon. The more bars displayed, the stronger thesignal. If you’re inside a building, being near a window may give you betterreception.Understanding the Power Save FeatureIf your phone is unable to find a signal after 15 minutes of searching, a Power Savefeature is automatically activated. If your phone is active, it periodically rechecksservice availability; you can also check it yourself by pressing any key. Anytime thePower Save feature is activated, a message is displayed on the screen. When a signalis found, your phone returns to standby mode.Understanding How Your Phone OperatesYour phone is basically a radio transmitter and receiver. When it’s turned on, itreceives and transmits radiofrequency (RF) signals. When you use your phone, thesystem handling your call controls the power level. This power can range from0.006 watts to 0.2 watts in digital mode.Knowing Radiofrequency SafetyThe design of your Sprint PCS Vision Phone complies with updated NCRP standardsdescribed below.In 1991-92, the Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers (IEEE) and theAmerican National Standards Institute (ANSI) joined in updating ANSI’s 1982standard for safety levels with respect to human exposure to RF signals. More than120 scientists, engineers and physicians from universities, government healthagencies and industries developed this updated standard after reviewing theavailable body of research. In 1993, the Federal Communications Commission (FCC)adopted this updated standard in a regulation. In August 1996, the FCC adoptedhybrid standard consisting of the existing ANSI/IEEE standard and the guidelinespublished by the National Council of Radiation Protection and Measurements(NCRP).Maintaining Your Phone’s Peak PerformanceThere are several simple guidelines to operating your phone properly andmaintaining safe, satisfactory service. Hold the phone with the antenna raised, fully-extended, and over yourshoulder. Try not to hold, bend, or twist the phone’s antenna. Don’t use the phone if the antenna is damaged. Speak directly into the mouthpiece. Avoid exposing your phone and accessories to rain or liquid spills. If yourphone does get wet, immediately turn the power off and remove the battery.
