FM Radio Dead Zones

[Roadgeekteen]

What are some areas of America with either very little FM radio coverage or no FM radio coverage?

[hbelkins]

What are some areas of America with either very little FM radio coverage or no FM radio coverage?

There's a radio quiet zone near Green Bank, WV, because of the observatory there. Even without the NRAO, it's such a remote, rural area, that FM radio reception would be very spotty.

[sbeaver44]

Dumb and naive question about the radio zone around Green Bank...are cell phones impacted?

[Max Rockatansky]

The central segment of the Sierra Nevada Mountains south of Lake Tahoe to Lake Isabella.

[JayhawkCO]

I seem to remember not being able to access any radio stations at all when I was driving to a trailhead in the Sangre de Cristo mountains down by Westcliffe, Colorado.  Similarly when I was in Lake City, Colorado.

Chris

[Big John]

Wasn't this covered here? https://www.aaroads.com/forum/index.php?topic=28014.0

[Roadgeekteen]

Wasn't this covered here? https://www.aaroads.com/forum/index.php?topic=28014.0

I'm forgetful.

[hbelkins]

Dumb and naive question about the radio zone around Green Bank...are cell phones impacted?

Yes, but even if they weren't, that area is so remote that there likely wouldn't be any cell coverage anyway.

After my recent excursion into the mountains of southwestern WV, I've come to the determination that a cell phone is about the most worthless invention one can possess there.

Even home wi-fi is restricted within a certain distance of the NRAO.

[Roadgeekteen]

Dumb and naive question about the radio zone around Green Bank...are cell phones impacted?

Yes, but even if they weren't, that area is so remote that there likely wouldn't be any cell coverage anyway.

After my recent excursion into the mountains of southwestern WV, I've come to the determination that a cell phone is about the most worthless invention one can possess there.

Even home wi-fi is restricted within a certain distance of the NRAO.

How do people live there?

[Rothman]

Dumb and naive question about the radio zone around Green Bank...are cell phones impacted?

Yes, but even if they weren't, that area is so remote that there likely wouldn't be any cell coverage anyway.

After my recent excursion into the mountains of southwestern WV, I've come to the determination that a cell phone is about the most worthless invention one can possess there.

Even home wi-fi is restricted within a certain distance of the NRAO.

How do people live there?

The same way they have for centuries.

[Roadgeekteen]

Dumb and naive question about the radio zone around Green Bank...are cell phones impacted?

Yes, but even if they weren't, that area is so remote that there likely wouldn't be any cell coverage anyway.

After my recent excursion into the mountains of southwestern WV, I've come to the determination that a cell phone is about the most worthless invention one can possess there.

Even home wi-fi is restricted within a certain distance of the NRAO.

How do people live there?

The same way they have for centuries.

Especially during the pandemic zoom era.

[bandit957]

I always had the impression that K-92 got into the Green Bank dead zone somehow.

[Dirt Roads]

I always had the impression that K-92 got into the Green Bank dead zone somehow.

Indeed.  I have caught WXLK in ridgetop areas north of Marlinton on several occasions.

[sbeaver44]

Ok that makes sense, HB, I figured deep WV is SOL either way.   I was thinking in July I might return back to PA via US 219 the whole way from US 460.  I don't think not having cell service is a problem, but it does allow me to plan to bring offline music, etc.

[Scott5114]

I always had the impression that K-92 got into the Green Bank dead zone somehow.

Nah, the closest it gets is Leavenworth.

[Life in Paradise]

Dumb and naive question about the radio zone around Green Bank...are cell phones impacted?

Yes, but even if they weren't, that area is so remote that there likely wouldn't be any cell coverage anyway.

After my recent excursion into the mountains of southwestern WV, I've come to the determination that a cell phone is about the most worthless invention one can possess there.

Even home wi-fi is restricted within a certain distance of the NRAO.

How do people live there?

The same way they have for centuries.

I have a step brother that lives on the outskirts of the area, and if you have home internet, you simply have a wired network at your home.  Cable TV would be the same, wired in rather than over the air.  There really aren't any television markets that would get a regular signal in.  Roanoke is the largest regular market, and that is too far away.  There are a couple of smaller towns with PBS stations that probably have their antenna configured to not send a signal towards that area.

[hbelkins]

Dumb and naive question about the radio zone around Green Bank...are cell phones impacted?

Yes, but even if they weren't, that area is so remote that there likely wouldn't be any cell coverage anyway.

After my recent excursion into the mountains of southwestern WV, I've come to the determination that a cell phone is about the most worthless invention one can possess there.

Even home wi-fi is restricted within a certain distance of the NRAO.

How do people live there?

The same way they have for centuries.

I have a step brother that lives on the outskirts of the area, and if you have home internet, you simply have a wired network at your home.  Cable TV would be the same, wired in rather than over the air.  There really aren't any television markets that would get a regular signal in.  Roanoke is the largest regular market, and that is too far away.  There are a couple of smaller towns with PBS stations that probably have their antenna configured to not send a signal towards that area.

I think Harrisonburg is closer than Roanoke, isn't it? I know Harrisonburg has some network OTA affiliates, but not sure if they have all four.

i would think satellite TV would be available in that area, wouldn't it?

I remember reading a story about wired internet for home service in Green Bank. I'm sure there is a way for phones, tablets, etc. to connect to a wired network, but it's probably an expensive piece of hardware if such exists.

[CNGL-Leudimin]

Any frequency ending in an even number (valid in Europe, but not in the USA). Otherwise, I don't know because this statment by the OP:

What are some areas of America with either very little FM radio coverage or no FM radio coverage?

... and therefore any relative dead zones in my area (i.e. those in which I can only receive public radios and little else) are out of the scope of this thread.

I always had the impression that K-92 got into the Green Bank dead zone somehow.

Nah, the closest it gets is Leavenworth.

That would be KS 92, not WXLK .

[jmd41280]

How do people live there?

Some people choose to live there for that exact reason.

[Roadgeekteen]

How do people live there?

Some people choose to live there for that exact reason.

The Amish should move there.

[roadman65]

Wonder if Google can track your location here?😁

[Brandon]

How do people live there?

Some people choose to live there for that exact reason.

The Amish should move there.

It's not the type land they're looking for (flatter and more arable).  It's a bit too mountainous and hilly.

[Scott5114]

That would be KS 92, not WXLK .

How's the weather over in Storkslapper?

[cpzilliacus]

Dumb and naive question about the radio zone around Green Bank...are cell phones impacted?

There are plenty of places where there is little or NO cell phone coverage (including within a 20-mile (32 km) radius of the Green Bank Observatory), and other places where cell phone coverage is very poor, and a very few places with great cell phone coverage. 

National Radio Quiet Zone (NRQZ) (Wikipedia)

National Radio Quiet Zone (Green Bank Observatory Web site)

[hbelkins]

Ok that makes sense, HB, I figured deep WV is SOL either way.   I was thinking in July I might return back to PA via US 219 the whole way from US 460.  I don't think not having cell service is a problem, but it does allow me to plan to bring offline music, etc.

I went Sunday to check out the renovated Dingess Tunnel. Lost cell service shortly after turning off US 52 onto WV 65 at Delbarton. Didn't get service back until I was practically in Wayne on WV 152.