Tim Olson
Joined: 25 Jan 2007
Posts: 2872
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 Posted: Thu Mar 10, 2011 1:25 pm Post subject: OT: (But important) Save Our GPS Campaign |
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Prompted by the article below, I think it's something that
all of us should participate in communicating on, to ensure
that our GPS units aren't rendered useless by LightSquared.
For those of you who haven't heard of the problem, do a
few minutes of google work and you'll know...we're at
risk of not having useable GPS for navigation, and many
organizations are banding together to stop it. You can at
least do your part by sending the FCC an email.
Start here:
http://www.saveourgps.org/
If you want to copy, or modify my original letter, I'll paste
it below. Just go to that site and click on the "Voice
your concern" link and you can fire off an email.
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# Congress to hold hearings on threat to GPS network
A House panel will meet Friday to hear from critics of a Federal
Communications Commission plan that would bring wireless Internet
connections to some 100 million people. The FAA and several other
government agencies have raised concerns that the technology could cause
conflicts with GPS systems and undercut the government's plan to
modernize the air-traffic control system. "It will overwhelm the signal
from the GPS," says Jim Kirkland, general counsel of GPS manufacturer
Trimble Navigation. USA TODAY (3/9), AOPA Online (3/9)
http://www.saveourgps.org/
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Here's my letter: (copy it, modify it if you want, but
just make sure to send one of your own)
Dear FCC representative,
I am an active user of more than 10 GPS's in my household,
3 of them being Aviation GPS's used directly for navigating
safely.
What is being proposed by LightSquared is very troubling.
Their frequency is far too close to the GPS spectrum,
and is highly likely to cause problems with GPS coverage.
In reading the FCC's current mandate, they are to work with
the GPS industry to eliminate the negative effects, but I
must tell you that eliminating them must also include NOT
interfering with ANY of the CURRENT or PREVIOUS models
of GPS receivers that are used, as well as newer models.
It is not enough that they work with GPS manufacturers
to build better GPS units...we must make sure all existing
GPS's, many of them costing over $10,000 like one of the
ones in my plane, are not affected.
The LightSquared's license modification is contingent on
the outcome of a mandated study, but this study must be
overseen by a 100% neutral observer...not someone with
financial or other interest in the outcome.
LightSquared needs to halt ALL investment in infrastructure
or facilities until AFTER the final FCC decision. Also,
in finding that "harmful interference concerns have been
resolved", that must mean "resolved to the satisfaction of
PRE-EXISTING GPS providers and users!"
GPS is an ingrained and functional system. Any resolution
of interference needs to be the obligation of LightSquared,
as THEY are the newcomer to the spectrum and area of
concern....and they must bear the cost of preventing
the interference.
This is a matter of critical national interest, and
life safety, and should not be taken lightly. There must
be a public comment period lasting at least 45 days on the
report by the working group, and further FCC actions
on the LightSquared modification order should take place with
the approval of a majority of the commissioners, not at the
bureau level.
This is an important matter, as if LightSquared is allowed
to interfere with existing GPS receivers, many lives
will be endangered.
Sincerely,
Tim Olson
--
Tim Olson - RV-10 N104CD
do not archive
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