Yet again, military radio signals have knocked garage door remote out of service. This time, it happened near the Marine base in Quantico, Virginia. The interference was apparently caused by tests of a homeland security emergency system. According to the Associated Press, residents "have had to spend hundreds of dollars on new systems." I doubt that the interference broke their remotes permanently, but perhaps they're afraid that the tests will continue. From the Associated Press:
For decades, the military has held a portion of the radio spectrum, from 138 to 450 megahertz, in reserve. That part was borrowed by remote-control manufacturers, with the understanding that the signal be weak enough to be overridden by the military…
"Consumer wireless devices, such as garage door openers, operate on an unlicensed basis, meaning they are required to accept any interference from licensed spectrum users, including the Department of Defense," said Lt. Brian P. Donnelly, a spokesman for the Quantico base.
Previously on BB:
• Mysteriously malfunctioning garage doors Link
