Some places you have not choice but to generate, And some campgrounds have rules about when you can generate. And then there are generators, Generators and Generators.
I was at a Yahama inverter generator display once, Not this was at a rally so there was some background noise. Two of the generators were running, I could hear one but only feel the exhaust from the other (1200 and 2400 watt) The salesman could not hear either of them (I have many hours of practice listing for sound under noise as a radio operator both professionally and otherwise).
Of course that was at no load,,,, Load 'em down and they could be heard. But I was able to talk, without raising my voice, close enough to them to touch them.
My ONAN 5500... Once in an open field, not a lot of background noise, about 100 feet from the exhaust stack, (Gen-Turi) and the Field Day manager says "you can start it now" (Had been running for like 15 minutes)
On the other hand a contractor grade... Should be sold with earplugs included.
But wait there is more... I run my ONAN with the Gen-Turi, this does not make much sound difference but it takes the exhaust up up and away, and being hot air it continues up up and away.
Hardly a year goes by we do not read of death by CO poisoning from someone either using a portable generator in a campground or infield at a race or using a RV generator without taking proper precautions.
Used properly they are safe, I've slept with them running and am still around to type.. Used improperly.. They are deadly and you sleep... forever.
