US Radio Quiet Zones

[Lscott]

Anybody have any experience operating near or around any of the US radio quiet zones?

 

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/United_States_National_Radio_Quiet_Zone

[axorlov]

Nope, haven't had any experience not in Virginia.

North California has a 70cm restriction because of the missile defense site located near Yuba City, Beale AFB. Because of that almost all 70cm Ham repeaters in SF Bay Area and Sacramento either went quiet or go with severely reduced power. We still have our microwave ovens allowed! GMRS is allowed too. In a contrast, Los Angeles area has a thriving fauna of 70cm repeaters, unimpeded.

[gortex2]

Have worked in all the VA and WV counties listed. For public safety world there is a bit of PITA but most stuff is defined. Licensing is a challenge. As for talking on the radios no one has ever stopped me and said hey you can't talk. There are certain areas there are signs closer to the facilities but public safety is exempt. I have used both ham and GMRS in those areas, however not a lot around the facility to talk on. 

[Lscott]

 

North California has a 70cm restriction because of the missile defense site located near Yuba City, Beale AFB.

I remember reading about that. It had to do with the Ham 70cm repeaters interfering with the Pave-Paw missile radars. Hams are "secondary" users of the band so there really wasn't any choice.

 

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/PAVE_PAWS

[SkylinesSuck]

We go off roading inside the one in WV/VA. Never seen any signs or had anybody say anything. I think there are progressively stricter areas of control the closer you get to the actual facility the area exists for. I am an air traffic controller who's airspace extends out over that way. We have kinda crappy radio coverage out there and I'm assuming it's because they've got the transmitters as far out that way as they can get but no farther.

[Lscott]

We go off roading inside the one in WV/VA. Never seen any signs or had anybody say anything. I think there are progressively stricter areas of control the closer you get to the actual facility the area exists for. I am an air traffic controller who's airspace extends out over that way. We have kinda crappy radio coverage out there and I'm assuming it's because they've got the transmitters as far out that way as they can get but no farther.

Interesting there are no signs posted. I would have thought there would be.

[SkylinesSuck]

That's a giant area to have to post signs. Although it depends on what part of the quiet zone you are talking about. The inner most core I'm sure is like that. The outermost part of the box touches several states.

[Lscott]

That's a giant area to have to post signs. Although it depends on what part of the quiet zone you are talking about. The inner most core I'm sure is like that. The outermost part of the box touches several states.

Yeah, you have a good point. 

[Linus]

I have been to the radio astronomy facility onsite in 1994. When I was there, we went from the office area to the radio telescopes is diesel buses. Diesel engines do not have spark plugs. There was a big sign prohibiting gasoline engines past a gate.

[Lscott]

I have been to the radio astronomy facility onsite in 1994. When I was there, we went from the office area to the radio telescopes is diesel buses. Diesel engines do not have spark plugs. There was a big sign prohibiting gasoline engines past a gate.

Nothing like have multiple ultra wide-band spark gap transmitters under the hood. Even people who installed two way radios in their vehicles have problems with ignition noise. 

[Woodsman]

I played with CB in the Spruce Knob/Seneca Rocks area. Reception was spotty anyways due to the mountain. I had no idea it was considered a quiet zone, granted where I stayed at was far enough away that I was able to use CB. I guess the major restrictions are in/around the city. I didn't have cell signal or GPS until I got out of the forest and on a semi main road, again assuming it was due to the terrain.

[kidphc]

On 4/9/2021 at 9:45 PM, Woodsman said:

I played with CB in the Spruce Knob/Seneca Rocks area. Reception was spotty anyways due to the mountain. I had no idea it was considered a quiet zone, granted where I stayed at was far enough away that I was able to use CB. I guess the major restrictions are in/around the city. I didn't have cell signal or GPS until I got out of the forest and on a semi main road, again assuming it was due to the terrain.

From what I read. CB is ok. We have land in Capon and Mineral county. Always wondered why I couldn't get anything on my ham radios. Now I know. In all honesty I thought it was because it was a radio dead zone because of the mountain ranges.