help

Do Home Wireless Routers Interfere with the Telescope Operations at Green Bank WV?

-- | January 30, 2015

Question: Hi, I just had a general question about small, at home, wireless routers and their interference with satellite signal. I live at Snowshoe, WV, about 25 minutes away from the satellite and observatory in Green Banks, WV. Before buying a router for myself, even though friends both north, south, east, and west of me have them, I wanted to clear up any questions I had about them first and make sure that there was no way it could interfere with satellite signal. Thank you. — Jesse

Answer: For those readers who might not know, what you are referring to is the restrictions on radio transmitters within the National Radio Quiet Zone (NRQZ). The NRAO Green Bank telescope facilities are within this NRQZ, which helps to limit the interference that the radio telescope facilities can experience when a man made transmitter is used near the observatory. I believe that home wireless routers that are located many miles away from the observatory are not a source of harmful radio frequency interference to the telescope operations. If you were to use one of these routers near the observatory, though, then the potential for them being a source of interference is much higher.

Jeff Mangum

The National Radio Astronomy Observatory is a facility of the U.S. National Science Foundation operated under cooperative agreement by Associated Universities, Inc.
	Founded in 1956, the NRAO provides state-of-the-art radio telescope facilities for use by the international scientific community. NRAO telescopes are open to all astronomers regardless of institutional or national affiliation. Observing time on NRAO telescopes is available on a competitive basis to qualified scientists after evaluation of research proposals on the basis of scientific merit, the capability of the instruments to do the work, and the availability of the telescope during the requested time. NRAO also provides both formal and informal programs in education and public outreach for teachers, students, the general public, and the media.
	The U.S. National Science Foundation (NSF) is an independent federal agency created by Congress in 1950 "to promote the progress of science; to advance the national health, prosperity, and welfare; to secure the national defense..."
	AUI collaborates with the scientific community and research sponsors to plan, build, and operate cutting-edge facilities. We cultivate excellence, deliver value, enhance education, and engage the public.