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United States National Radio Quiet Zone
The National Radio Quiet Zone (NRQZ) is a large area of land in the United States designated as a radio quiet zone, in which radio transmissions are restricted by law to facilitate scientific research and the gathering of military intelligence. About half of the zone is located in the Blue Ridge Mountains of west-central Virginia while the other half is in the Allegheny Mountains of east-central West Virginia; a small part of the zone is in the southernmost tip of the Maryland panhandle.
The Quiet Zone is an approximate rectangle of land, 107.0 miles (172.2 km) on the north edge, 109.6 miles (176.4 km) on the south edge and 120.9 miles (194.6 km) on the east and west edges, comprising approximately 13,000 square miles (34,000 km2; 8,300,000 acres). It straddles the borders of Virginia and West Virginia, and also includes a small part of Maryland. The NRQZ is centered between the Green Bank Observatory in Green Bank, West Virginia, and Sugar Grove Station in Sugar Grove, West Virginia. It includes all land with latitudes between 37° 30' 0.4" N and 39° 15' 0.4" N, and longitudes between 78° 29' 59.0" W and 80° 29' 59.2" W.
Most broadcast transmitters in the central area of the Quiet Zone are required to operate at reduced power and use directional antennas. This makes cable and satellite essential for acceptable television in much of the region. Restrictions of transmissions are strictest within ten miles (16 km) of the Green Bank and Sugar Grove facilities, where most omnidirectional and high-power transmissions are prohibited.
Not all radio transmissions are prohibited in the Quiet Zone. For example, emergency service (police, fire, and ambulance) radios and CB radios are permitted. However, owners of high-power transmitters, including television stations in the Harrisonburg–Staunton and Charlottesville markets, must coordinate their operations with the Green Bank Observatory. The only broadcast radio stations in the core of the Quiet Zone are part of the Allegheny Mountain Radio network, with one daytimer AM station in Frost, West Virginia, ten miles from the observatory, and low-powered FM stations in Monterey, Virginia and Marlinton, West Virginia. Exceptions to restrictions are usually determined case by case, with preference given to public safety concerns, such as for remote alarm systems, repeaters for emergency services, and NOAA Weather Radio.
The most severe restrictions to the general public are imposed within a 20-mile (32 km) radius of the Green Bank Observatory. The Observatory polices the area actively for devices emitting excessive electromagnetic radiation such as microwave ovens, Wi-Fi access points, and faulty electrical equipment and asks people to stop using such equipment. It does not have enforcement power (although the FCC can impose a fine of $50 on violators) but will work with residents to find solutions.
Cellular telephone use in the central area of the zone is also very restricted.
"In Green Bank, though, the rules are even stronger, so much that some residents who are in direct sight of the radio telescope receivers, can't use Wi-Fi devices and even microwave ovens in all Green Bank Radio Astronomy housing units. Directional cellphone service areas are very limited, such as in Snowshoe Mountain Resort in nearby Snowshoe, West Virginia, one of the state's major ski areas."
However, the observatory has pulled back on Quiet Zone enforcement, and locals have increasingly embraced the usage of microwave ovens, cellphones, and WiFi.
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United States National Radio Quiet Zone AI simulator
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United States National Radio Quiet Zone
The National Radio Quiet Zone (NRQZ) is a large area of land in the United States designated as a radio quiet zone, in which radio transmissions are restricted by law to facilitate scientific research and the gathering of military intelligence. About half of the zone is located in the Blue Ridge Mountains of west-central Virginia while the other half is in the Allegheny Mountains of east-central West Virginia; a small part of the zone is in the southernmost tip of the Maryland panhandle.
The Quiet Zone is an approximate rectangle of land, 107.0 miles (172.2 km) on the north edge, 109.6 miles (176.4 km) on the south edge and 120.9 miles (194.6 km) on the east and west edges, comprising approximately 13,000 square miles (34,000 km2; 8,300,000 acres). It straddles the borders of Virginia and West Virginia, and also includes a small part of Maryland. The NRQZ is centered between the Green Bank Observatory in Green Bank, West Virginia, and Sugar Grove Station in Sugar Grove, West Virginia. It includes all land with latitudes between 37° 30' 0.4" N and 39° 15' 0.4" N, and longitudes between 78° 29' 59.0" W and 80° 29' 59.2" W.
Most broadcast transmitters in the central area of the Quiet Zone are required to operate at reduced power and use directional antennas. This makes cable and satellite essential for acceptable television in much of the region. Restrictions of transmissions are strictest within ten miles (16 km) of the Green Bank and Sugar Grove facilities, where most omnidirectional and high-power transmissions are prohibited.
Not all radio transmissions are prohibited in the Quiet Zone. For example, emergency service (police, fire, and ambulance) radios and CB radios are permitted. However, owners of high-power transmitters, including television stations in the Harrisonburg–Staunton and Charlottesville markets, must coordinate their operations with the Green Bank Observatory. The only broadcast radio stations in the core of the Quiet Zone are part of the Allegheny Mountain Radio network, with one daytimer AM station in Frost, West Virginia, ten miles from the observatory, and low-powered FM stations in Monterey, Virginia and Marlinton, West Virginia. Exceptions to restrictions are usually determined case by case, with preference given to public safety concerns, such as for remote alarm systems, repeaters for emergency services, and NOAA Weather Radio.
The most severe restrictions to the general public are imposed within a 20-mile (32 km) radius of the Green Bank Observatory. The Observatory polices the area actively for devices emitting excessive electromagnetic radiation such as microwave ovens, Wi-Fi access points, and faulty electrical equipment and asks people to stop using such equipment. It does not have enforcement power (although the FCC can impose a fine of $50 on violators) but will work with residents to find solutions.
Cellular telephone use in the central area of the zone is also very restricted.
"In Green Bank, though, the rules are even stronger, so much that some residents who are in direct sight of the radio telescope receivers, can't use Wi-Fi devices and even microwave ovens in all Green Bank Radio Astronomy housing units. Directional cellphone service areas are very limited, such as in Snowshoe Mountain Resort in nearby Snowshoe, West Virginia, one of the state's major ski areas."
However, the observatory has pulled back on Quiet Zone enforcement, and locals have increasingly embraced the usage of microwave ovens, cellphones, and WiFi.