Threat to GPS?

[RickK]

Act Now!!
http://capwiz.com/boatus/utr/1/ONHCQDYDFM/KSRNQEFHFV/7121020426

[Capt. Bob]

I sent my response last week. Somehow though, I won't be surprised if the FCC allows it. :(

[pete]

give me back loran,still have plenty of old #s

[Mcdiver]

From what I understand, Loran is still functioning.

[pete]

http://www.cnn.com/2010/TECH/02/08/lora ... tml?hpt=T2
I beleive its off

[seabob4]

The government sets up programs to benefit citizens.  Private companies set up business to make a profit, at the cost of whomever.  Nuff said???  

To some of you, this may sound like socialism.  It's not.  A private company, creating it's own infrastructure, is certainly free to do as it pleases.  But the same private company, using infrastructure created with tax payer dollars, to create a profit center, while at the same time compromising a system that works well and that WE paid for...

[RickK]

One of the responses I received:

Thank you for contacting me about the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) granting LightSquared Subsidiary LLC a conditional waiver of the Ancillary Terrestrial Component "integrated service” rule to build a new wireless broadband network.  I have heard concerns over possible interference with the U.S. Global Positioning System or GPS from constituents like you, as well as the Department of Defense. I take these interference claims very seriously.
 
The FCC is responsible for making sure that companies using our airwaves do not disrupt existing services like GPS. To help them in that role, the FCC gathers and reviews comments from the public to inform their decision making.  
 
If you would like to comment on the Lightsquared Technical Working Group Report (IB Docket 11-109), go to http://fjallfoss.fcc.gov/ecfs/upload/display?z=pyaws
 
For additional instructions on how to file comments, please go to http://www.fcc.gov/cgb/consumerfacts/howtocomment.html.
 
As a member of the Senate Commerce Committee, I have oversight of the FCC and our nation's airwaves. I have been monitoring this LightSquared situation closely.  I appreciate your being involved on matters that are important to our nation's public safety.  Please do not hesitate to contact me in the future if I can be of assistance.
 
Sincerely,
Senator Bill Nelson

[MarshMarlowe196]

The US government didn't place GPS satellites to benefit citizens, it was quite the opposite.  It was originally for military use only, unavailable to the public in any capacity until this happened in 1983:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Korean_Air_Lines_Flight_007

Then, of course, lots of companies profited, and citizens benefitted.

Not having my GPS in my pleasure boat sure would pi$$ me off, but in the broad scheme of things, it seems that the navigation of passenger aircraft and emergency vehicles is much more important and should be strongly considered by the powers-that-be before anything was allowed to potentially disrupt a GPS satellite...