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| United States NRQZ; A lesson in Government Controlled Communications.; Restrictions on radio communications in National Radio Quiet Zones | |
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| Tweet Topic Started: Apr 10 2017, 08:27 PM (5 Views) | |
| Michigan Swampbuck | Apr 10 2017, 08:27 PM Post #1 |
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I just learned of a government facility in Green Bank, West Virginia (it’s not the only one) where there is a 13,000 square mile zone of restricted use of radio frequency transmissions. The National Radio Quiet Zone (NRQZ) in West Virginia is an area in which radio transmissions are heavily restricted by law to facilitate scientific research and military intelligence. The Quiet Zone protects the telescopes of the National Radio Astronomy Observatory (NRAO) facility, as well as the antennas and receivers of the U.S. Navy's Information Operations Command (NIOC) at Sugar Grove. The NIOC is a key station in the ECHELON system operated by the National Security Agency (NSA). In the Radio Quiet Zone, 2-way radio communications, cell phone, and Wi-Fi use have, for the most part, been eliminated since 1958 to prevent interference to the government’s radio telescope and NSA communications array. The Quiet Zone is strictly enforced within the 20 mile radius of the telescope to the point where citizens have had to discontinue their use of “devices emitting noticeably high amounts of electromagnetic radiation” such as microwave ovens, WiFi routers, cordless phones, wireless equipment, and unintentional radiators such as faulty electrical equipment. Gasoline-powered motor vehicles are forbidden within the zone nearest the telescope as the ignition system on spark-ignited engines generates radio interference, resulting in all vehicles and equipment needing to be diesel-powered. With nearly 60 years of enforcing the Quiet Zone, I’m sure the government has perfected their means of controlling the local communications systems in that area. With this aspect in mind, I see this zone as a good example of the type of control that could be utilized in a scenario where the government controls all communications. Currently, there have been uses of cell phone blocking techniques and an internet “kill switch” to block sensitive communications in localities where protests and civil unrest have taken place. In the Radio Quiet Zone it seems that cell phones are not being blocked, as such a signal would probably interfere with the telescope, but rather the cell towers have been restricted by law. Apparently the only enforcement is a 50 dollar fine imposed by the F.C.C. for any RF interference created by the public. Although most omnidirectional and high-power radio frequency transmissions are not allowed, there are some exceptions, therefore, more reason why they wouldn’t employ a frequency blocking transmission in such a situation. Not all radio transmissions are prohibited, such transmissions include emergency services (police, fire, and ambulance) and Citizen's Band radio. The only broadcast radio stations in the area are one station in the AM band, and several low-power FM stations. Broadcast transmitters in the core of the Quiet Zone are forced to operate at reduced power and use highly directional antennas. Exceptions to restrictions are usually determined on a case-by-case basis, with preference given to public safety, such as remote alarm systems, repeaters for emergency services, and NOAA Weather Radio. So, what forms of communications are left for the citizens of Green Bank? The citizens can still use hardwired communications and satellite signals, such as land line phones, wire and fiber optic cables, satellite services such as satellite T.V., phone, and radios. Low wattage indoor WiFi is allowed when it doesn’t interfere with the telescope. Public safety broadcast communications, commercial broadcast AM radio and low powered FM radio stations are also allowed. Interestingly enough, use of the Citizens Band radio is allowed without restriction. Perhaps a combination of frequency and low power output is the reason that CBs are OK to use. Amateur Ham radio operators can broadcast from a base station with permission and when below a certain output level, this includes repeaters. Mobile Ham radios are not as restricted. When we examine the National Radio Quiet Zone information, what can we expect when communications are being controlled by the government during an emergency or crisis? Well, this information seems to support some of my contentions concerning such a scenario. Unless you are in a hot spot that is strictly controlled, where jamming interference and an internet kill switch is used, satellite, hard wired and low powered line of sight communications may still be available. What about a scenario where the internet, hard wired services, cell phone towers and satellite communications are blacked out entirely? Unless jammed locally, 2-way radios may be the only alternative left. Amateur radios (and their repeaters) will likely be operational at high power for official emergency purposes or perhaps used at a lower power for personal communications. Whatever the restrictions, those frequencies will be highly monitored and if personal use is being reduced to low powered transmissions, the range of Ham radios will not be much better than unlicensed 2-way radios. CBs and other low power unlicensed 2-ways (FRS and MURS) will probably be best as these radios are cheap and readily available. Also, the low powered unlicensed frequencies are for personal public use, would be harder to receive, and are mostly ignored unless there are complaints to the F.C.C., who would likely be over burdened in a national emergency crisis. Using line of sight, horizontally polarized directional antennas for low power unlicensed transmissions would help by increasing range, making communications clearer and would be less likely to be picked up and monitored. A private WiFi meshnet network, using highly efficient directional antennas, would probably go unnoticed in addition to being encrypted and password protected. Edited by Michigan Swampbuck, Apr 10 2017, 08:40 PM.
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4:35 AM Jul 11