Theater etiquette

[RichMoore]

Chris15....I stand humbly corrected. Thank you for putting me right.

Kiwitechgirl....when I stated "do one thing at a time", what I meant was concentrate on the show. I was under the impression that the SM in question was holding phone calls and texting on subjects unrelated to the show. Multi-tasking during a show is pretty much a given if one has any responsibilities and people working under them. To you, I also apologize for any misunderstanding.

A double dose of crow for me today. ;-)

[shiben]

If you are looking for a way to block cell phone signals, but dont really want to get in trouble, could you get away with installing brass or copper mesh enveloping the hall? It would act as a faraday cage and block all the signals coming in... Would that be illegal? You could claim that you had an issue with RF interference if people complain about it, but if its illegal I probably wouldnt do it. Also, find out if your walls are sand filled cincerblock. Seems to make it more difficult to get signal through that.

[rwhealey]

Originally Posted by shiben

If you are looking for a way to block cell phone signals, but dont really want to get in trouble, could you get away with installing brass or copper mesh enveloping the hall? It would act as a faraday cage and block all the signals coming in... Would that be illegal? You could claim that you had an issue with RF interference if people complain about it, but if its illegal I probably wouldnt do it. Also, find out if your walls are sand filled cincerblock. Seems to make it more difficult to get signal through that.

If not illegal, that might have unintended consequences on wireless microphone reception.

[fredthe]

IANAL, but I know of no regulations that would prohibit you installing a wire mesh surrounding a facility.
As for wireless mics, it might both improve reception in the hall, by blocking outside signals, and keeping the mics from interfering with anything else.
Of course, with the cost of copper, you could probably pay for many more important things for the theater, and just live with the cell phones

-Fred

[museav]

Hmmm, TEMPEST security for the theatre. All you need is the same construction budgets that some secure government and military facilities have. Good luck on that!

Theoertically it might work. However, considering the wavelengths potentially involved, getting a building or room envelope to not have 'holes' in the shielding could be difficult and expensive. I also think that practical issues such as doctors and others attending events that need to be able to receive emergency wireless communications might be legally problematic. And I have worked on some ALS/interpretation and wireless production communication systems where I rely on the signal extending outside the main space, a shielded room could be worked around for those systems but would likely increase their cost.