> Here he monitors the gross violations of the Quiet Zone and also looks at the local environment: powerline noise, illegal use of radios, etc. For example, at

> Here he monitors the gross violations of the Quiet Zone and also looks at the local environment: powerline noise, illegal use of radios, etc. For example, at the time of my visit there, the amateur radio bands were being used improperly by a group of people and the signal was strong enough to overload the 140-foot telescope, so it became a serious problem... The likely action taken will be that he calls the FCC in to enforce the rules in place. After 20 years on the job, Wesley has built up a network of contacts he can call upon when he needs help. One of those contacts is the man in charge of the Enforcement Bureau at the FCC, whom Wesley knew when he was still a satellite technician. Always interesting to hear examples how effective coordination often comes down to networks of people-connections that get built up over time. Software folk often think it's simply automating whatever process -- I certainly thought that early on -- but more and more I'm seeing it's about knowing the person in the right role with the right experience. Your personal network is leverage. The last two sections about helping out a grumpy farmer with an old burned out amplifier and coordinating secret fly-overs with the Cheyenne Mountain guys are also great people-network stories.