[Vision2020] Noise Ordinance Admin Meeting

[KRFP]

This actually could be a concern.  Unless things have changed 
drastically in the years since I used one, Decibel meters are actually 
quite hard to get an accurate reading with.  A person (or an officer) 
with experience with the device could make it read almost anything (s)he 
wants. 

A decibel is NOT an absolute value, it is a CHANGE in value.  To say 
"that noise is 90dB" is an incorrect statement.  You can say "that noise 
is 90 dB above <insert some other sound pressure level here>", but it 
needs a base reference.  Which is only one place where inaccuracies in a 
reading can come from.

For the record; I calibrated and repaired electronic test equipment in 
the Navy.  And also often measured the sound pressure of car stereos at 
Optimum Sound over in Pullman, where I was the Service Manager.

Dave


Ted Moffett wrote:
>  
> I have not heard any substantial arguments why a decibel meter is not 
> advisable to measure noise law enforcement is monitoring for 
> restrictive action.  As long as the decibel meter is calibrated and 
> used correctly (same issue with radar for speeding), this provides an 
> objective standard for enforcement, avoiding subjective biased or 
> random standards. 
>  
> Ted Moffett  
>
>