radioguy
2009-08-29 07:17:34 UTC
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Reidsville squelches electronic interference
By MICKEY POWELL
Staff Writer REIDSVILLE--Residents who get irritated when a neighbor's
use of a citizens band radio interferes with their home TV reception
may now find their problems over and out, so to speak. An amendment to
the city's ordinance, recently approved by the Reidsville City
Council, limits the use of electronic devices that may interfere with
private radio, television or telephone reception. Basically stated, it
is now unlawful for someone to operate within city limits any device
"designed to transmit or receive communications signals, broadcasts
or frequencies," according to the amendment, between 6 p.m. and
midnight every day, as well as from noon to midnight on weekends.
Those are the times when officials think people are more likely to be
listening to AM or FM radio or watching television "prime viewing
time," as City Attorney J. Michael Thomas called it. Such devices as
CB's and HAM radios are targeted by the ordinance. When they are
caught, violators will face a $100 civil penalty each day until the
problem is corrected, although council must approve the fine before
it is imposed. The ordinance amendment was spurred by frequent
complaints about interference. It is not designed to prevent people
from using communications devices, but rather limit use to hours when
it will be less intrusive to other people. "People have a right to use
this equipment," said Councilman Reid King. Thomas said it can be hard
to trace down people causing interference. But with most of the people
making complaints so far, he said, it has been "obvious" who the ones
causing the interference were. Originally worded to mention only
radio and TV reception, King asked for the word "telephone" to also be
included in the amendment. Interference can occur on both conventional
and cellular phones, he noted. The ordinance will not apply to any
transmitter or broadcasting station operating under provisions of the
federal or state regulation such as the local radio and television
stations, the police fire and departments, municipal services,
emergency workers and health care providers are also excluded.
Reidsville squelches electronic interference
By MICKEY POWELL
Staff Writer REIDSVILLE--Residents who get irritated when a neighbor's
use of a citizens band radio interferes with their home TV reception
may now find their problems over and out, so to speak. An amendment to
the city's ordinance, recently approved by the Reidsville City
Council, limits the use of electronic devices that may interfere with
private radio, television or telephone reception. Basically stated, it
is now unlawful for someone to operate within city limits any device
"designed to transmit or receive communications signals, broadcasts
or frequencies," according to the amendment, between 6 p.m. and
midnight every day, as well as from noon to midnight on weekends.
Those are the times when officials think people are more likely to be
listening to AM or FM radio or watching television "prime viewing
time," as City Attorney J. Michael Thomas called it. Such devices as
CB's and HAM radios are targeted by the ordinance. When they are
caught, violators will face a $100 civil penalty each day until the
problem is corrected, although council must approve the fine before
it is imposed. The ordinance amendment was spurred by frequent
complaints about interference. It is not designed to prevent people
from using communications devices, but rather limit use to hours when
it will be less intrusive to other people. "People have a right to use
this equipment," said Councilman Reid King. Thomas said it can be hard
to trace down people causing interference. But with most of the people
making complaints so far, he said, it has been "obvious" who the ones
causing the interference were. Originally worded to mention only
radio and TV reception, King asked for the word "telephone" to also be
included in the amendment. Interference can occur on both conventional
and cellular phones, he noted. The ordinance will not apply to any
transmitter or broadcasting station operating under provisions of the
federal or state regulation such as the local radio and television
stations, the police fire and departments, municipal services,
emergency workers and health care providers are also excluded.