[NSRCA-discussion] Noise rules

[Lance Van Nostrand]

John,
I've been part of setting noise limit in 2 clubs.  One because I was an officer and we put them in place just in time because when the complaint came in the town saw that we were being proactive.  In the second, I got roped in because I had "experience".  I've got the same sound meter that they use at nats.  First rule is to get a great meter and spend the money.  You don't want to make a rule that limits a persons flying if, when you go to enforce it, the defensive pilot points out the uncertainty of your equipment.  McMaster Carr has a +- 1Db meter, which is as good as you can get.  Its self calibrating too, which is important since it will probably be stored at your field in the cold and hot.

Second: I 've measured tons of planes from close and far, upwind and down and talked to observers.  You must not succumb to claims that you can measure from 25 feet (or more) and get reliable results.  Way too many variables.  Measer from 10 feet at a consistent location.  use A weighting, slow response to average the results.

Third: after doing this twice with different observers 103dB limit (10 feet over hard surface) is reasonable.  Thisis where both clubs ended up.  It is a lenient threshold that few planes will exceed, but when they do you and everyone will know it.  If the law still complains you can lower it, but no one will say you are being too restrictive with this.  Even the loud boys will agree, but they'll probably violently oppose the concept of a noise rule.

--Lance

  ----- Original Message ----- 
  From: John Ferrell 
  To: NSRCA Mailing List 
  Sent: Monday, June 19, 2006 8:08 PM
  Subject: [NSRCA-discussion] Noise rules


  If someone out there has a set of noise rules for a general purpose RC club? Especially a set that works. 

  I cannot expect the masses to conform to pattern numbers, but I need something to start with. "Reasonable" does not seem to mean the same thing to every one. 


  John Ferrell    W8CCW
  "My Competition is not my enemy"
  http://DixieNC.US



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