RF Safe
In 1995, John Coates made a promise—a vow forged in heartbreak and fueled by determination. He had just lost his firstborn daughter to a neural tube disorder, an event that would forever alter the course of his life. Though consumed by grief, Coates channeled his pain into a mission: to expose the dangers of electromagnetic radiation (EMR) and bring safer wireless technology to the world.
Three years later, in 1998, this mission took shape as RF Safe, an organization dedicated to creating consumer awareness and pioneering technologies that minimize harmful radiation exposure. Over the next two decades, RF Safe would quietly, yet decisively, influence the entire wireless industry—transforming the way cell phones, accessories, and network equipment are designed. Today, as we stand on the brink of even more advanced wireless innovations, Coates’ work offers a critical reminder that true progress must always keep human health at the forefront.
A Personal Tragedy Becomes a Global Cause
The trigger for RF Safe was heart-rending. After his daughter’s passing, Coates stumbled upon a 1997 study indicating a 300% increase in neural tube defects in infants exposed to microwave radiation. Coupled with his personal loss, this discovery solidified Coates’ conviction that wireless radiation was not merely a technological side note—it was a genuine public health issue that needed urgent attention.
“When I learned about the connection between microwave radiation and birth defects,” Coates recalls, “it felt like a direct blow. I wasn’t just grieving; I was suddenly aware of a massive gap in the public’s understanding of how wireless signals impact our bodies.”
Galvanized by this revelation, Coates founded RF Safe to bridge that gap, placing consumer education and evidence-based research at the core of his work.
From Belly Bands to Breakthrough Headsets
At a time when the term ‘radiation safety’ was scarcely part of everyday conversation, RF Safe introduced a range of precautionary products that quickly caught the attention of concerned consumers and industry insiders alike.
- Belly Bands: One of the earliest items from RF Safe was a belly band designed for pregnant women. By shielding the abdomen from electromagnetic waves, Coates aimed to safeguard the most vulnerable—unborn children during critical stages of development.
- Anti-Radiation Phone Cases: Decades before they were fashionable, RF Safe was producing phone cases to deflect and reduce EMR exposure. While many later imitators added bulky metal shields that forced phones to boost their signals (ironically increasing radiation), RF Safe’s cases were engineered to minimize the phone’s need for extra power.
- Air-Tube Headsets: Perhaps the most notable early innovation was the introduction of air-tube headsets, replacing the standard wired design with an air tube that prevented direct radiation to the ear. Featured in the Wall Street Journal, this ingenious solution remains a model for how simple design changes can drastically cut EMR exposure.
Yet, as significant as these products were, they merely scratched the surface of Coates’ ambitions.
Enter the Vortis Antenna: Challenging an Industry Standard
The real game-changer came in the form of the Vortis Antenna, born from Coates’ deep understanding of wave interference principles. “I realized you could apply the same concept you see with ripples in a pond—where waves cancel each other out—to cell phone signals,” he explains. Working with a Nokia 6160, Coates created a prototype that reduced isotropic radiation near the user’s head while maintaining robust signal quality.
In the early 2000s, this discovery collided with hearing-aid compatibility concerns. Traditional isotropic antennas often caused interference for hearing aid users, sparking regulatory inquiries. Coates teamed up with telecommunications expert Jim Johnson, leveraging the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) to argue that new antenna designs were not just safer but also more inclusive.
Breaking the FCC’s Isotropic Rule
The fight culminated in 2003, when the FCC issued a landmark ruling in the Matter of Section 68.4(a) of the Commission’s Rules Governing Hearing Aid-Compatible Telephones. They cited antennas like Coates’ Vortis design as having “the potential to significantly reduce the RF interference to hearing aids,” noting the additional benefits of better battery life and network efficiency. By challenging the “isotropic rule,” Coates and Johnson effectively opened the door for manufacturers to adopt safer, smarter antenna designs.
In an era where profit often outweighs principle, Coates took no financial gain for his intellectual property. He transferred the patent rights to ensure widespread adoption, remaining true to a core promise: that no other parent would endure what he had experienced, if it could be prevented by making wireless devices safer.
A Zero-SAR Revolution: Far-UVC Wireless Communication
Never content to rest on past achievements, Coates recently turned his attention to Far-UVC wireless communication. His patent, System for Wireless Communication Using Germicidal Light Frequencies (US11700058B2), envisions a future where wireless data transmission also sterilizes the air and surfaces in occupied spaces. By operating in the 200-230 nm Far-UVC range—safe for humans but deadly to pathogens—this next-generation approach aims to secure both your health and your connection.
“With Far-UVC,” says Coates, “I wanted to show that wireless can be more than just harmless—it can be positively beneficial. Imagine an office space where airborne pathogens are neutralized even as data speeds flourish. It’s the logical evolution of zero-SAR design.”
ceLLM Theory and the Bioelectric Frontier
Coates’ commitment to safety doesn’t stop at devices. He’s also championing ceLLM (Cellular-Level Logical Model) theory, positing that human DNA behaves like a resonant mesh network, vulnerable to disruptions by electromagnetic fields. By disrupting bioelectric signaling, EMR could potentially contribute to developmental issues like ADHD or autism, especially during prenatal development or childhood. Combining ceLLM theory with existing studies by scientists such as Dr. Henry Lai and Dr. Martin Pall, Coates underscores that EMR safety is more than a niche concern—it’s a critical factor in our collective well-being.
Liberty Unites: Compassion Beyond Technology
While Coates is best known for his work in electromagnetic safety, he has also demonstrated a commitment to community-building. He founded Liberty Unites, an online tribute site for victims of war and terror that encourages empathy, dialogue, and healing. Launched over 20 years ago, the platform has integrated AI-driven features to preserve and amplify users’ messages, reflecting Coates’ belief that technology can—and should—connect us in meaningful ways.
How RF Safe Made Phones Safer for Everyone
- Consumer Education
From its inception, RF Safe has placed education at its core, shedding light on the realities of EMR exposure. The organization’s SAR comparison database gives consumers the power to choose lower-radiation devices, fueling a demand for safer models. - Market Disruption
By releasing consumer-friendly products such as air-tube headsets and anti-radiation phone cases, RF Safe effectively put radiation safety in the public spotlight. Competitors soon followed, validating Coates’ approach. - Regulatory Impact
The Vortis Antenna played a pivotal role in challenging the FCC’s isotropic rule. In acknowledging the design’s potential benefits—reduced interference, better efficiency, and lower radiation—the FCC opened the door for a new class of antennas that weren’t beholden to old norms. - Ethical Stance
Through it all, Coates refused to monetize his groundbreaking antenna design, transferring patent rights so manufacturers could quickly adopt safer solutions. This act embodied his promise to his daughter: to protect future generations from the ignorance that had once caused him such pain.
Looking Ahead: A Call to Action
As wireless networks expand into 5G, 6G, and beyond, the principles championed by John Coates and RF Safe remain more crucial than ever. Whether it’s rethinking antenna designs, adopting Far-UVC for data transmission, or addressing the bioelectric implications of EMR, Coates’ message is consistent: technology must evolve without compromising human health.
He urges manufacturers, policymakers, and consumers alike to embrace safer standards. “It’s not just about phones or tablets,” Coates explains. “We’re talking about how EMR intersects with the human body, the developing brain, and even the environment. We owe it to ourselves—and to future generations—to take this seriously.”
Conclusion: A Promise Fulfilled, A Future to Protect
At its heart, the story of RF Safe is the story of a father’s love, forged through tragedy and dedicated to safeguarding others from the same fate. That love has spurred decades of innovation, advocacy, and radical generosity—ultimately shaping an industry and improving countless lives.
From pioneering air-tube headsets and belly bands to overturning outmoded FCC rules and envisioning pathogen-killing wireless systems, John Coates has shown that impactful change doesn’t require fortune or fame, only unwavering commitment. His promise, made amid heartbreak, has been kept—and our technology ecosystem, and the world, is safer for it.