Terror Alert: As soon as it goes to orange from yellow...the AF steps in and
activates things

read on:

EGLIN AIR FORCE BASE -- A new military two-way radio system is keeping garage
doors shut in communities near this Florida Panhandle base and residents may
have to change the frequencies on their remote-controlled opening devices to
make them work.

Homeowners in Niceville, Valparaiso and the Crestview area reported jammed
garage door openers during recent testing of the new $5.5 million system at
Eglin.

Air Force officials Tuesday said the contractor, Motorola Inc., will try to
minimize the problem but they offered no guarantees.

``If we discover that we have some options in that area we'll definitely pursue
them,'' said Col. Russell F. Miller, commander of the 96th Communication Group.
``I want my garage door opener to work, too.''

Technicians will run the system at slightly different frequencies from those
used by garage door openers to try to eliminate or reduce the interference when
another test is conducted Friday through Monday.

Federal Communication Commission spokeswoman Lauren Van Wazer said the Air
Force has been running the system within its licensed frequencies, so users of
garage door openers may have to change theirs.

The problem may spread to residents near other military bases. A Navy spokesman
said a similar system has been requested for Pensacola Naval Air Station and
other nearby installations.