A 33,000 square kilometer radio silence zone with no signal, a paradise where mobile phones are prohibited

Author: Duan Yuechu In the United States, there is a special area called the National Radio Quiet Zone (NRQZ), where strict radio usage regulations are in place to protect the normal operation of the Green Bank Observatory in the center. This area covers 13,000 square miles in western Maryland, the Allegheny Mountains in West Virginia, and the Blue Ridge Mountains in central Virginia.

The Green Bank Observatory in the United States is one of the world's largest fully controllable radio telescopes, and its research is of great significance to astronomy. In order to ensure that the high sensitivity of the telescope is not interfered with, a strict radio silence policy is implemented in the area, limiting radio emissions from Wi-Fi and mobile phone services to various types of transportation.

It is worth mentioning that within this area, the only vehicles allowed to approach the Green Bank Observatory are diesel-powered. This is because diesel vehicles do not produce similar radio interference compared to gasoline vehicles. This special regulation has caused some inconvenience to residents and tourists living here, but please understand that this is to protect our precious scientific resources.

So, can electric cars be driven in the NRQZ? In response to this question, Jill Maruski, news and information manager at the Green Bank Observatory, said that while the radio frequencies of electric cars could interfere with the observatory's work, in most areas of the NRQZ, electric car owners may not even realize they are in a special area. In fact, the residential areas and living facilities around the Green Bank Observatory have not been greatly affected.

Maluski added that the Green Bank Observatory in the United States is not as isolated as people think. About 50,000 visitors come here every year to learn about radio astronomy and NRQZ. The observatory welcomes all vehicles, including electric vehicles, into its public areas. However, electric vehicles, plug-in hybrids and ordinary hybrids are not allowed within 1.5 miles of the radio telescope, which is to minimize radio interference.

Regarding the future of the Green Bank Observatory, Maruski said that as electric vehicles become more popular, it is necessary to seriously consider how to deal with possible radio interference problems in the future. She believes that with the advancement of technology, there will definitely be a solution.

In general, although electric vehicles are restricted in certain areas around the Green Bank Observatory, they are allowed in most areas of the NRQZ. In the future, as technology advances, we look forward to being able to better balance scientific research and daily life needs, making it possible for electric vehicles to be driven normally in the radio quiet zone.

Reference: "New Era of Technology" magazine \ Can electric vehicles be driven in national radio silence zones?