Using concrete to block radio signals

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DaveDCB

Well-known member
Seeing as we are getting afew topics on concrete/ house building lately I thought I’d share my latest conundrum!
*I’m not going to name specific names as I don’t really want this to come up on google search*
To cut a very long (and expensive!!) story short, we basically have a plot(plot lays in a specific area in which all new builds and conversions are now being rejected at planning - I’ve had them passed before but the over ruling body is now dismissing them all) in which we want to build a new house in order to do so we need to build something that doesn’t emit radio signals and cause interference to the ‘university equipment’ I’m going down the class Q route as there is existing buildings but adding the paragraph 79 quality, I just need to prove what I build won’t cause interference to said ‘equipment’

My thoughts are a ‘earth house’ pretty much a concrete reinforced structure covered in earth.. my main issues are I need to prove that this type of construction won’t emit radio signal/inference above a certain Db.. the biggest problem being windows and openings! Common sense tells me 6” of concrete and 2ft of soil won’t let many radio waves through it…!

My question is has anyone worked on anything similar - the nearest thing I can think is military installations ,radio bunkers etc or know of a professor in radio type things?

What I’m thinking - https://www.chron.com/z-archived-ho...an-earth-covered-home-near-Austin-6294739.php
 
pettsy

pettsy

Well-known member
Just done a bit of Googling about said area, can’t believe they have so much power over the planning process! “Oh you want to build a garage, that will have electrical equipment so may interfere : refused!”

When you see some of the former gov test sites, they seem to be made out of masses of concrete. Maybe could build something like this!? 🤣

BDA78811-6E1F-404A-892C-EADA254E3689.jpeg
 
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DaveDCB

Well-known member
Well I just took one to appeal which was basically change of use from hotel/apartment to residential and it was turned down because of the extra interference caused by additional appliances and extra occupation between the use classes!! Identical floor plan - You couldn’t make it up! Yet they have just built a huge visitor center to welcome more tourists right into the heart of the ‘research facility’ I’m sure 1000 Tesla’s parked next to it will create some interference!! 🤦‍♂️
 
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DaveDCB

Well-known member
Metal.. the main argument they have currently is anything added onto a building to block signals etc can be removed in the future , ie previously they allowed foil backed plasterboard but obviously 20yrs down the line when they redevelop the house things like plasterboard are ripped out.. building something out of cast concrete with permitted development rights removed would ensure nothing can be added or altered easily, in theory! Just need some clever cloggs to prove my theory correct!
 
Gecko

Gecko

Well-known member
The term to search for is "Faraday Cage".
A well earthed metal mesh in the walls (the size of the opening determines the maximum frequency that will be blocked).

Be aware that it works both ways - if built well, you won't get any mobile phone reception, your wifi will hardly work once you step out the door and listening to the radio without an external antenna will be a bit of a dead loss.
 
Charlie

Charlie

Well-known member
There is a town in West Virginia like that. Maybe someone there could help? Worth an email?
 
K

Keif

Well-known member
There is a town in West Virginia like that. Maybe someone there could help? Worth an email?
I go near there to mountain bike once a year or so and it truly is a cell signal/tv signal dead spot. One trail is called death star because of all the weird dishes and domes things you can see on the next mtn range over.
 
R

Russell

Well-known member
I was thinking maybe a Faraday cage in reverse, if it works in reverse. Maybe send seemans or bae a email to see if they could design something.
 
doobin

doobin

Well-known member
I was thinking maybe a Faraday cage in reverse, if it works in reverse. Maybe send seemans or bae a email to see if they could design something.
Lol, it would be £10k plus VAT just for a consultation!
 
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bobthebuilder

Well-known member
insulation and argon filled glass units seems to stop phone signals
 
Giles

Giles

Well-known member
how do they go on then at said place when they have gigs there lol, bodrel jank, is it on all walls or just the ones facing telescope and up?
olden days in embassy etc the comms room were lead lined to stop prying into them etc

lead foil? mesh as has been suggested,

you'd think the uni boffins be the best ppl to tell you what to do if they worked with ppl get best results rather than blanket ban
 
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DaveDCB

Well-known member
how do they go on then at said place when they have gigs there lol, bodrel jank, is it on all walls or just the ones facing telescope and up?
olden days in embassy etc the comms room were lead lined to stop prying into them etc

lead foil? mesh as has been suggested,

you'd think the uni boffins be the best ppl to tell you what to do if they worked with ppl get best results rather than blanket ban
Yep they hold gigs, have 100k+ visitors a year , it blows my mind!! I’m sure the air traffic from Manchester airport buggers up most of the signals not a household lawnmower (they genuinely think a lawnmower will stop the big dish from working)!!
We have been in contact with them directly asking for advice, and the reply we got was shortend reply* ‘we are too busy carrying out research’
What saddens me more is my great grandfather was one of the top guys on site when it was constructed.. I’m sure he’d be damn annoyed that something he built is now stopping me from building!!
 
Left hooker

Left hooker

Well-known member
Yep they hold gigs, have 100k+ visitors a year , it blows my mind!! I’m sure the air traffic from Manchester airport buggers up most of the signals not a household lawnmower (they genuinely think a lawnmower will stop the big dish from working)!!
We have been in contact with them directly asking for advice, and the reply we got was shortend reply* ‘we are too busy carrying out research’
What saddens me more is my great grandfather was one of the top guys on site when it was constructed.. I’m sure he’d be damn annoyed that something he built is now stopping me from building!!
Set your router up outside you will get their attention and while they at yours get them to sort it out 🤣
 
D

DaveDCB

Well-known member
Set your router up outside you will get their attention and while they at yours get them to sort it out 🤣
Can convert the sheds into B8 storage and rent it out on the cheap to a GPS company or the like and create a world of interference hell 🤷‍♂️
 
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DaveDCB

Well-known member
Just had a mad idea.. standing seam copper roof… I’d just worry some Pikey would come nick it 🤦‍♂️
 
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