U.S. National Science Foundation, science and federal agencies are working on new solutions for communications in the National Radio Quiet Zone
“Safety of our local community is our top priority,” shares Jim Jackson, Director of the U.S. National Science Foundation Green Bank Observatory (NSF GBO) in Pocahontas County, West Virginia. Recently, officials from the neighboring counties of Pendleton and Webster, in the National Radio Quiet Zone (NRQZ), have issued resolutions challenging guidelines that manage electromagnetic emissions in this 13,000 square mile area.
Established in 1958, the NRQZ was created to protect radio astronomy scientific operations at the country’s first national radio astronomy observatory, the NSF National Radio Astronomy Observatory, and national security operations at Sugar Grove Naval Station, now the National Security Agency’s (NSA) Sugar Grove Research Station. The rules of the NRQZ were defined based on the challenges of radio interference in that era, which have changed much over the past two decades.
Pendleton and Webster County officials are challenging NRQZ restrictions, on the basis that they prevent adequate communications for emergency and first responders in this rural, remote, and mountainous region. Their resolutions call for a number of changes that would eliminate the NRQZ, close two of the largest employers in the area, and defy rules and regulations set by the Federal Communications Commission.
Leaders, scientists, and engineers from the NRQZ and affiliated agencies have been meeting with local officials from several surrounding counties to develop solutions over the past three years, which include:
- Exemptions Granted: Multiple exemptions have been provided to facilitate emergency communications in surrounding areas, including Pocahontas and Bath Counties.
- $1 Million Engineering Study: Funded by the NSF, this study aims to identify permanent solutions for emergency communications, with Pendleton County serving as the pilot program. It has identified eight new sites that could potentially cover 95% of the county without violating NRQZ restrictions.
- Focus on Radio Communications: The county’s emergency communications strategy has been primarily focused on cell phone towers, while the actual needs are better served by lower frequency radio communications in the 150 – 174 MHz VHF or 450 – 470 MHz UHF bands.
- Collaboration with Cell Phone Companies: NSF NRAO and NSF GBO have worked with AT&T to explore engineering solutions that would enhance cellular coverage from local sites, ensuring compliance with NRQZ guidelines.
- Economic Decisions: The decision to install or not install cell phone transmitters at proposed sites rests with the economic interests of telecommunications companies, not the county, NSF, or affiliated agencies.
- Importance of Existing Facilities: Closing the NSF Green Bank Observatory and federal Sugar Grove facility are not not in the best interest of county, state, or federal leaders, as both facilities play crucial roles in national security and scientific research, and are major local employers.
The NSF NRAO and NSF GBO remain committed to collaborating with local stakeholders to improve access to emergency communications and internet connectivity. Ongoing efforts include discussions with the Broadband Equity, Access, and Deployment (BEAD) program and the West Virginia broadband office, and new agreements with SpaceX that expand access to this service within the NRQZ. The NSF NRAO has established a new collaborative agreement with StarLink to make satellite internet service available to the majority of NRQZ residents, allowing 99.5% of the area’s population to access the network.
“We’ve been working hard to do everything we can to improve overall communications in the NRQZ, not just for first responders, but for local residents as well,” adds Chris De Pree, Deputy Spectrum Manager for the NSF NRAO.
“There are many entities involved in the NRQZ,” adds Jackson, “The Observatory isn’t the controlling factor here, but we are committed to putting in the resources we have to improve what we can. This is our community, too, and we want everyone to be safe.”