Communication System Update at Portsmouth Naval Shipyard - Wednesday, May 17, 2023

Portsmouth Naval Shipyard is updating their Enterprise Land Mobile Radio (ELMR) communications system beginning Wednesday, May 17, 2023.

The ELMR communications system dramatically improves communications between military security and fire department organizations, while simultaneously providing for direct radio communication between Department of Defense (DoD) and civilian first responders.

This new ELMR update will expand the reach to approximately a 10-mile radius of the shipyard. The updated communications system will undergo a period of testing and is scheduled to continue until the end of August.

Portsmouth Naval Shipyard first implemented ELMR in 2016 and at that time, some local residents experienced interference to their garage door openers as their controls operated on the same frequency as ELMR.  

Most radio-controlled garage door opener systems operate on frequencies reserved for use by the DoD or other federal government organizations. These devices operate legally under Part 15 of Federal Communications Commission rules, at very low power, with the requirement that they do not interfere with government communications systems. In response to increased communication needs, the DoD now must make more use of these frequencies to upgrade new mobile radio systems on and around military bases.

Because garage door openers are unlicensed devices, they are not offered any protection from interference by licensed users in the same frequency band.

ELMR has been in use at U.S. military installations nationwide since 2004. The system’s use is mandated by a 1992 Congressional law, a subsequent 1993 National Telecommunications and Information Administration mandate, and a 2001 DoD policy which requires military land mobile radio systems to operate more efficiently.

Homeowners who experience problems with their garage door openers are encouraged to contact the manufacturer of their wireless device and request their device be retrofitted.

For questions about the communications system update, please contact the Portsmouth Naval Shipyard Public Affairs Office at (207) 438-1525.