General Question?

[GARRETT]

Can anyone tell me if it is true that Pine Cones affect radio waves and reception of signals? I live in the country near several pine trees and I have been told a rumor that pine cones affect radio signals, I would like to know if this rumor is true?

 

[TinEar]

I saw your question and the first thought that came to mind was....Cut the things down and find out. That's not very practical of course. Along the same lines though, I've always wondered why I get such good reception from my location since I'm totally surrounded by tall oak trees. I figured I'd get little or poor reception when I moved here. Just the opposite. Here's something that's food for thought...
http://www.rexresearch.com/squier/squier.htm

 

[KR4BD]

Any folliage (trees, leaves, etc.) has a tendancy to absorb radio signals, particularly in the UHF (and higher) spectrum. Locally, I notice that reception of my 800 mHz trunked system is much clearer in the winter, when the leaves are off the trees. In the summer, there is a noticiable attenuation of signal levels with more swishing noise and hiss. This is particularly noticeable the farther away you are from the transmitter. I live on the outskirts of town where the signals are not that strong to begin with. So, I am fairly confident that your pine cones could have some effect on the signals you receive. However, if you live in a strong signal area, you may not notice a weakening of signals.

 

[cristisphoto]

In the PInes.......

On the subject of cutting pine tree branches ..(etc)
When I lived in Georgia the pine branches are often high up so much so that
it requires the proper vehicle and often more than not permits
(when they are its rare, because the low branches have been cut by previous landowners/and /or the local government..
So yeah, Just cut them down IS Not that feasible...
Regards,
Crista

Ps JUst sayin LOL

 

[Dank]

trees

Needless to say, but trees play heck with my Directv reception.

 

[WCRadioGuy]

It seems to be true that pine needles will decrease signal levels, especially in the 800MHz range. They act as a 1/4 wave antenna.

 

[dc2wheel]

The US Govenment's National Radio Astronomy Observatory in Green Bank, West Virginia claim they can:

"To aid in limiting outside interference, the surrounding area is planted with pines characterized by needles of a certain length as to 'block' electromagnetic interference at the wavelengths used by the observatory." - from Wikipedia

Just another piece of the strangeness involved in attempts to maintain the "Radio Quiet Zone" that straddles the WV/VA border - interesting [tho slightly OT...sorry] article on it here:
http://www.wired.com/wired/archive/12.02/quiet.html

-dc2wheel