United States National Radio Quiet Zone

38.375°N 79.5°W / 38.375; -79.5

The NRQZ includes portions of West Virginia, Virginia, and a small part of Maryland.

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.

Location

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.[1]

Restrictions
An older patrol truck used to locate radio interference[2].
A modern patrol truck equipped with detectors[3].

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 all but 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,[4] 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, large transmitter owners, 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 on a case-by-case basis, with preference given to public safety concerns, such as 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.[5] 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 request citizens discontinue their usage. It does not have enforcement power[6] (although the FCC can impose a fine of $50 on violators[7]), but will work with residents to find solutions.[8][9]

Cellular telephone use in the central area of the zone is also very restricted.[5]

"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."[10]

Zones of protection
Warning signs at zone 1 entrance.

The Green Bank Interference Protection Group maintains policies to manage radio-frequency interference (RFI) by dividing into five zones based on available legal instruments.[11][12]

Zone 1 and Zone 2 are located within the property of the Green Bank Observatory. The entire property is designed as Zone 1 except small portions (such as housing, visitor, and laboratory areas) that are designed as Zone 2. Zone 1, also termed the Radio Astronomy Instrument Zone, restricts intentional radiators only to those are deemed essential. All unintentional radiators must be operated within the ITU-R RA.769 recommendations on protection criteria used for radio astronomical measurements. Gasoline-powered motor vehicles are prohibited in Zone 1 as their spark-ignition engines generate significant radio interference, resulting in the requirement that all vehicles and equipment be diesel-powered.[13] Zone 2, also called Observatory Building Zone, allows intentional radiators licensed by National Radio Quiet Zone, but not other radiators such as Wi-Fi, cordless phones, and other wireless equipment. Certain types of unintentional radiators are allowed. Digital cameras are prohibited, although film photography is allowed.[14]

Zone 3 and Zone 4 are governed by the Radio Astronomy Zoning Act which is the Chapter 37A of the West Virginia Code. It strictly regulates radio transmitters within 2 miles (3.2 km) and within 10 miles (16 km) of the Green Bank Observatory, respectively.[4] Within these zones, interference to observations will be identified and documented. The owners of the offending equipment will be visited personally to request cooperation in eliminating the interference. Enforcement is used as a last resort. Enforcement in Zone 4 may be more lenient than the limit set by Chapter 37A.

Zone 5 is the boundary of National Radio Quiet Zone; the National Radio Quiet Zone Administrator at the Green Bank Observatory manages the enforcement policies.

Uses

The Federal Communications Commission (FCC) created the Quiet Zone in 1958 to protect the radio telescopes at Green Bank and Sugar Grove from harmful interference.[15] Today, the Green Bank Observatory oversees the Quiet Zone.

The Quiet Zone also protects the antennas and receivers of the U.S. Navy's Information Operations Command (NIOC) at Sugar Grove. The NIOC is the location of electronic intelligence-gathering systems, and is today said to be a key station in the ECHELON system operated by the National Security Agency (NSA).[16]

The area has also attracted people who believe they suffer from electromagnetic hypersensitivity,[17][18][14] though scientific experiments have shown this condition is caused by the nocebo effect rather than electromagnetic waves.[19][20][21]

Counties inside the NRQZ

Maryland counties

Virginia counties
See also List of radio stations in Virginia, which includes several AM and FM stations within the zone.

West Virginia counties
See also List of radio stations in West Virginia, which includes several AM and FM stations within the zone.

Cities inside the NRQZ

Virginia cities

West Virginia cities
Outside

Clarksburg, West Virginia, and Lynchburg, Virginia, are just outside the Quiet Zone.

See also

References
  1. "National Radio Quiet Zone". National Radio Astronomy Observatory. Retrieved February 20, 2015.
  2. Casto, James E. (July 9, 2014). "NRAO Vehicle Fleet". The State Journal. Retrieved October 31, 2016.
  3. Bucktin, Christopher (July 28, 2015). "Telescope Town can hear to within second of the Big Bang but won't let locals use mobiles". Mirror. Retrieved October 31, 2016.
  4. "West Virginia Code, Chapter 37A". Chuck Niday - National Radio Astronomy Observatory. Retrieved October 8, 2013.
  5. Hu, Elise (October 8, 2013). "Enter The Quiet Zone: Where Cell Service, Wi-Fi Are Banned". National Public Radio. Retrieved October 8, 2013. To keep the zone protected from signals that could confuse the telescope, Niday and others from the NRAO drive the 20-mile radius around the Green Bank Telescope weekly, policing for possible interference.
  6. Holba, Emile; Hall, Sara Jane (May 19, 2015). "The Quiet Zone: Where mobile phones are banned". BBC. Retrieved July 14, 2016.
  7. "West Virginia Code, Chapter 37A". National Radio Astronomy Observatory. Retrieved July 14, 2016.
  8. Sizemore, Wes; Acree, Jeff. "The National Radio Quiet Zone" (PDF). NRAO. Retrieved July 14, 2016. NRAO operates the National Radio Quiet Zone at Green Bank. We briefly outline its salient characteristics, and our experience with its day to day operation.
  9. ""National Radio Quiet Zone"... (Parkersburg, Elkins: construction, living, zip code) - West Virginia (WV) - City-Data Forum". city-data.com. Retrieved July 14, 2016.
  10. Sterman, Joce (June 26, 2016). "'Full Measure': The No-Fi zone". WGME. Retrieved April 21, 2017.
  11. Beaudet, C.; Clark, C.; Niday, C.; Ghigo, F.; Ford, J.; McCullough, R.; Sizemore, W.; Woody, P. (January 24, 2007). The Green Bank Interference Protection Group: Policies for RFI Management (PDF) (Report).
  12. "NRAO Green Bank Policies for RFI Management". Retrieved October 31, 2016.
  13. "NRAO Green Bank Site RFI Regulations for Visitors" (PDF). National Radio Astronomy Observatory. p. 2. Retrieved October 14, 2016.
  14. Winter, Damon; Kennedy, Pagan (June 21, 2019). "Opinion | The Land Where the Internet Ends". The New York Times. Retrieved April 16, 2021.
  15. "National Radio Quiet Zone - National Radio Astronomy Observatory".
  16. "Interception Capabilities 2000, Sugar Grove, Virginia – COMSAT interception at ECHELON site". Interception of Communications Section. Leeds, UK: Cyber-Rights & Cyber-Liberties (UK). May 11, 1999. Archived from the original on September 28, 2011. Retrieved September 14, 2011. Interception Capabilities 2000 Report to the Director General for Research of the European Parliament (Scientific and Technical Options Assessment programme office) on the development of surveillance technology and risk of abuse of economic information.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: bot: original URL status unknown (link)
  17. O'Brien, Jane; Danzico, Matt (September 12, 2011). "'Wi-fi refugees' shelter in West Virginia mountains". BBC News. Retrieved September 13, 2011.
  18. "The town that banned Wi-Fi". The Guardian. Retrieved June 21, 2015.
  19. Regel, Sabine J.; Negovetic, Sonja; R, öösli Martin; Berdi, ñas Veronica; Schuderer, Jürgen; Huss, Anke; Lott, Urs; Kuster, Niels; Achermann, Peter (August 1, 2006). "UMTS Base Station-like Exposure, Well-Being, and Cognitive Performance". Environmental Health Perspectives. 114 (8): 1270–1275. doi:10.1289/ehp.8934. PMC 1552030. PMID 16882538.
  20. Rubin, G. James; Hahn, Gareth; Everitt, Brian S.; Cleare, Anthony J.; Wessely, Simon (April 13, 2006). "Are some people sensitive to mobile phone signals? Within participants double blind randomised provocation study". BMJ. 332 (7546): 886–891. doi:10.1136/bmj.38765.519850.55. ISSN 0959-8138. PMC 1440612. PMID 16520326.
  21. Wilén, Jonna; Johansson, Amanda; Kalezic, Nebojsa; Lyskov, Eugene; Sandström, Monica (2006). "Psychophysiological tests and provocation of subjects with mobile phone related symptoms". Bioelectromagnetics. 27 (3): 204–214. doi:10.1002/bem.20195. ISSN 1521-186X. PMID 16304699. S2CID 39662872.
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