Has your garage door opener been acting strangely — or not at all? Do you live near a military installation — or the U.S. Embassy in Ottawa, Ontario? A new military radio system is to blame, according to a Government Accountability Office report.
To address homeland defense needs and comply with government direction that agencies use the electromagnetic spectrum more efficiently, the Department of Defense (DOD) is deploying new Land Mobile Radios to military installations across the country. The new Land Mobile Radios operate in the same frequency range–380 Megahertz (MHz) to 399.9 MHz–as many unlicensed low-powered garage door openers, which have operated in this range for years. While DOD has been the authorized user of this spectrum range for several decades, their use of Land Mobile Radios between 380 MHz and 399.9 MHz is relatively new. With DOD’s deployment of the new radios and increased use of the 380 MHz-399.9 MHz range of spectrum, some users of garage door openers have experienced varying levels of inoperability that has been attributed to interference caused by the new radios. Nevertheless, because garage door openers operate as unlicensed devices, they must accept any interference from authorized spectrum users. This requirement stems from Part 15 of the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) regulations. Garage door openers and other unlicensed devices are often referred to as “Part 15 devices.” Congress requested that GAO review the potential spectrum interference caused by DOD’s recent deployment of Land Mobile Radios. Specifically, Congress asked us to (1) determine the extent of the problem of spectrum interference associated with the recent testing and use of mobile radios at military facilities in the United States, (2) review the efforts made by DOD during the development of its Land Mobile Radio system to identify and avoid spectrum interference, and (3) identify efforts to address the problem.
Since DOD began its rollout of the new Land Mobile Radios in 2004, a number of complaints have been reported at several locations near military installations–notably, Eglin Air Force Base, Florida; Defense Distribution Depot Susquehanna (DDSP) near New Cumberland, Pennsylvania; and Ft. Detrick, Maryland. As of August 2005, manufacturers had received over 1,300 customer complaints of affected garage door openers that they attributed to interference from Land Mobile Radios. One major manufacturer also estimated that its distributors had received between 7,000 and 10,000 complaints. However, the extent of interference experienced by users of garage door openers from DOD’s Land Mobile Radios is difficult to quantify because interference problems may not be reported or may be reported to several different organizations, including garage door opener manufacturers and retailers, government agencies, or congressional representatives. According to DOD and garage door opener manufacturers, the nature of the interference that has occurred varies by location. In some locations where the radios were rolled out, no occurrences of interference have been reported. Where interference has been reported, the problems range from intermittent inoperability to situations where the garage door may not open at all with the remote control device. DOD has reported a decrease of interference complaints. They attribute this decrease, in part, to consumer awareness of the problem and the completion of the Land Mobile Radio testing phase, at each site. In early 2005, following reports of interference, the National Telecommunications and Information Administration’s Office of Spectrum Management and the FCC’s Office of Engineering and Technology established a working group with representatives from DOD and the major manufacturers of garage door openers to develop short- and long-term solutions to the spectrum interference problem. The group has met several times, and as a result, DOD and the manufacturers report that progress has been made in terms of coordination and information sharing. For example, DOD has provided the Land Mobile Radio rollout locations to manufacturers and the ranges of spectrum to be affected through fiscal year 2010. DOD has also conducted analyses showing the likely extent of potential interference from Land Mobile Radios in several populated areas where the radios will be deployed and has given the findings to major manufacturers. For their part, manufacturers are offering retrofit kits to change the frequencies of existing garage door openers that would cost consumers $50 to $80, excluding installation. Furthermore, for new devices, one manufacturer is moving off of the 390 MHz spectrum range, and another plans to go to a multi-frequency approach using 390 MHz and other spectrum in order to minimize potential interference problems in the future. — Government Accountability Office (PDF)
That’s right, the U.S. military did it. And there’s nothing you can do about it, aside from upgrading or replacing your garage door opener.
The military is working on a Joint Tactical Radio System to upgrade its communications capabilities, but the program is full of problems and may come apart entirely.
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Jeff Wiegner
Dec 06, 2005
That’s right; your nescient statement about the US Military as the cause proves your lack of understanding.
As per FCC:
Garage door openers operate, legally under Part 15 of the Commissions rules, at very low power on an “unlicensed basis,” and have been permitted to operate on frequencies that have been reserved for the Federal Government since WWII for air/ground systems.
Blame the Garage Door Opener Manufacturers!!!
Michael Hampton
Dec 06, 2005
I don’t think there are any frequencies reserved for garage door openers, so I blame the FCC.
Jeff Wiegner
Dec 06, 2005
With the ever-shrinking radio spectrum, the FCC probably did not realize the LMR frequency would be utilized as it is now. But, with the disasters, such as Katrina, this issue will continue to plague the civilian sector.
Sean
Nov 26, 2006
I don’t think it has anything to do with Urban Warfare training do you ? Naahh, me niether! How can they say it has been reported in some areas, not in others? It’s just not likely unless they are doing different studies in different ‘testing phases’, but that is not what I read. In this case, that sounds like it might just have something to do with..?
Google this.
…” Air Force chief: Test weapons on testy U.S. mobs “…
The truth would just draw too much criticism, and ruin a perfectly good record of honesty with the citizens of this great nation.
Maybe we should do a study and see how many pets, or livestock were reported missing in the same areas at the same time? How many other odd things happened there that no one has pieced together? Could be interesting…
Dec 03, 2006
Military radios kill garage door openers - Homeland Stupidity
Al Gore
Dec 03, 2006
I invented that system so its my fault sorry guys. Al Gore in 2008!!!
Jenaoc
Dec 03, 2006
Funny to say, today the garage tomorrow your car that uses a remote. It will lock you out or open it for you, or for the joyriders.
The freq. 300 to about 390 is set aside for goverment stuff, now the garage door openers manuf. is to blame to use a broader freq instead of designated one.
I also want to see if they TVs go out or something. Motorola I’m sure for that much money can invent something better.
Vladimir
Dec 03, 2006
If a typical guy/person would have jammed the freq. imagine what it would be there.. another kaos, FCC/ATF and Homeland sec. in town investigating.
I guess big brother got power over everything… they jame your door so you can’t run away with your car, they lock you in, and after they use the no-knock warrant to get in and kick your butt and ask questions later and oops, later find out it’s a wrong house! ha!
nobody
Dec 04, 2006
Lots of idiots here. The FCC controls the spectrums. The military is using the spectrum it has be allocated. There is nothing wrong with this. The garage door manufacturers made an assumption long ago to use a relatively idle spectrum and now they are finding that wasn’t so wise. Who’s to blame? Do we really need to assign blame? Political idiots that dominate today certain want to find some place to point a finger of blame. The way I see it, all you idiots are just that for trying too hard to point a finger of blame, instead of being rational.
The way I see it, the US Military is not doing anything wrong. The gargage door makers made an assumption that turned out to be a poor assumption. I think what I’d want to know is if this assumption was disclosed to buyers of their products? If it was, then the current owners need to dig in their pockets. If not, I think some sort of agreement should come of it between current owners and the makers.
Jerms
Dec 06, 2006
How wide spread was this supposed to be? We started having problems w/ the remote door opener 2 days ago, on the 3rd or 4th.
Mike
Dec 14, 2006
The following is supposed to be on the sticker on the back of each remote. I think it says it all.
This device complies with Part 15 of the FCC Rules. Operation is subject to the following two conditions:
(1) This device may not cause harmful interference, and (2) This device must accept any interference
received, including interference that may cause undesired operation.
Not the FCC
Feb 26, 2007
The FCC does not oversee frequency allocations to Federal agencies such as the military. This is under the perview of the NTIA. The FCC oversees non-federal agencies, (such as cities, counties and states), and private licencees only. Part 15 devices are under the FCC’s jurisdiction and are subject to accepting interferance as noted above.
Anonymous
Mar 15, 2007
Ok, democrat and all, how come my Trend Micro pops up a spyware warning for this page? Anyone else verify? What’s up with that? Talk about inteference?