Message from BoatU.S. Government Affairs re: GPS reliability

Cathy Monaghan · Post by **Cathy Monaghan** » Jul 13th, '11, 10:51

[quote="Margaret Podlich"]----- Original Message -----
From: BoatU.S. Government Affairs
Sent: Tuesday, July 12, 2011 5:11 PM
Subject: Will your GPS work when you need it? Act Now!

July 12, 2011

Dear BoatU.S. Member,

As a result of a new proposal to use radio bandwidth right next to the existing GPS service, the future reliability of the GPS system across the United States is now in question. We encourage you to contact the FCC during a short 30-day public comment period, to help them understand the publicâ€™s need for continued, reliable GPS signals for safe navigation on boats, in cars, and for so many other daily uses.

CLICK HERE TO TAKE ACTION

Background: Earlier this year, the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) gave conditional approval to a private company, LightSquared, to begin a nationwide broadband service adjacent to the radio spectrum used for GPS. After concerns from user groups (including BoatU.S.), the FCC required significant testing and a report for potential conflicts with aviation, cellular, navigation, and four other GPS uses before this proposal could move forward. In that June 30th report the navigation sub-team concluded â€œthat all phases of the LightSquared deployment plan will result in widespread harmful interference to GPS signals and service and that mitigation is not possible.â€

Roy J. · Post by **Roy J.** » Jul 14th, '11, 11:02

This is really important -- the company behind this plan, Lightsquared, is run by a bunch of very connected telecoms pros and former high level FCC officials. They know how to work the application and approval processes and have the expertise to make things happen that are really not in the public interest. Please use the easy BoatUS link to register your protest. Here is the management team list -- check out the resume of their chief of regulatory affairs http://www.lightsquared.com/about-us/management-team/

Zeida · Post by **Zeida** » Jul 14th, '11, 13:08

This is extremely important for all of us,... sailors and drivers alike! Please read the advisory from BOAT US and follow up on the CLICK ON ACTION link. There is already a form letter to your senators and reps. you only need to fill in your personal info and "send".

Joe CD MS 300 · Post by **Joe CD MS 300** » Jul 14th, '11, 13:30

They make it about as easy as possible. The form letter is editable to fit your individual situation. The letters are automatically sent to the appropriate state representatives based on the address used.

Although I'm not a voting resident of Maine I sent letters to both PA and ME representatines.

Joe

Joe Myerson · Post by **Joe Myerson** » Jul 14th, '11, 16:45

As Joe CD says, it's very easy to send a message to your senators and congressmember, as well as to the FCC. Let's not lose the GPS system (even though I'm sure all CDers carry paper charts and know how to read them).

--Joe

bill2 · Post by **bill2** » Jul 15th, '11, 22:04

fwiw - several uses the public has for gps - including cruising of course . . .

biking - routes out and back by gps ( on handle bar ) for biking natl parks/forests - unfamiliar areas

hiking - ditto biking

driving - ditto hiking and include travel on unknown roads & byways

aviation - ditto driving with routes of course and altitude

cell phone - location is obvious but include 911 service where the local authorities can track your location to send help

onboard - of course navigation but also include the newer gps features like anchor drag warning / function on even simple handheld units

fleet maintenance - many fleet vehicles have onboard location tracking/history available

Just the simple function of marking a point - if only to remember a fishing hole, a wreck, or where a photo was taken , etc . . .

I'm sure others can document many more uses .

imho - it would seem to affect many if not most of the public if put into operation on a large scale -

at least my $0.02

rorik · Post by **rorik** » Jul 17th, '11, 19:45

Not that I won't help on this issue, but since I'm in a "devils advocate" mood, what did we all do before GPS? Anyone remember? Do we still have those skills?

Joe CD MS 300 · Post by **Joe CD MS 300** » Jul 17th, '11, 20:21

Before GPS I use to drive around with a map or mapQuest directions trying to drive, read directions and look for street signs, in daylight, at night, in the dark and maybe in the rain or snow simultaneously. I can still read a map or MapQuest directions and street signs but it is much safer to concentrate ones vision on the road while driving.

Joe Myerson · Post by **Joe Myerson** » Jul 18th, '11, 07:29

rorik wrote:Not that I won't help on this issue, but since I'm in a "devils advocate" mood, what did we all do before GPS? Anyone remember? Do we still have those skills?

Of course, I carry paper charts, rely on my magnetic compass, my eyes and, on occasion, my hand-bearing compass for navigation. But this issue is more than convenience for mariners and pilots (commercial as well as recreational): It's about ceding public airwaves to a private company at the expense of the rest of us.

Do we want to convert all roads in the country to toll roads? Do we want to replace our Armed Forces with for-profit contractors? Do we want to turn police functions over to private security agencies?

OK, I'm exaggerating, but the issue involved is telling our public agencies that the airwaves are public and that we don't need to degrade public services to benefit a private company.

--Joe

Jim Davis · Post by **Jim Davis** » Jul 18th, '11, 10:03

I'm unhappy that this issue has even come up. It amazes me that DOD failed to kill it before it became a serious issue. DOD built, maintains and operates GPS specifically for national defense reasons. Other government agencies such as the FAA and Homeland Security should also have helped kill the idea as well. I see that the major industry groups affected are at least opposing the plan.

Our use of GPS is actually relatively minor compared to the prime reason for its existence and the public safety spin offs that have evolved (police, fire and ambulance).

How the FCC can compare "improving the ability of teenagers, reporters, Hollywood celebrities and politicians to Twitter" to the function of such an important government program is beyond comprehension.

And yes I do carry the necessary instruments and publications to go back to the old way of navigating.

rperrone · Post by **rperrone** » Jul 18th, '11, 10:12

I sent in a response last week to representative Burr, NC. as the Boat US info states, echoing the concerns in earlier posts.

Let's see if we can interfere with GPS signal? Hmmm...
Sounds like a step backlward, I know I need that celestial navigation and a sextant training.

Joe Myerson · Post by **Joe Myerson** » Jul 18th, '11, 10:26

Jim Davis wrote:I'm unhappy that this issue has even come up. It amazes me that DOD failed to kill it before it became a serious issue. DOD built, maintains and operates GPS specifically for national defense reasons. Other government agencies such as the FAA and Homeland Security should also have helped kill the idea as well. I see that the major industry groups affected are at least opposing the plan.

Our use of GPS is actually relatively minor compared to the prime reason for its existence and the public safety spin offs that have evolved (police, fire and ambulance).

Well put, Jim.

This reminds me a bit of the time that then-Sen. (and now Presidential hopeful) Rick Santorum tried to privatize the Weather Service. Congress didn't pay too much attention to recreational boaters' objections, although they surely helped. But when pilots, public safety agencies and DOD stepped in, that hair-brained idea slithered back to where it belonged.

It's surprising that this idea got as far as it has. But let's all send comments to our Senators and Members of Congress.

--Joe

Jim Davis · Post by **Jim Davis** » Jul 19th, '11, 16:09

Dear Mr. Davis,

Thank you for contacting me to share your concerns about interference in the nation's GPS system from base stations operated by LightSquared Subsidiary LLC. I appreciate your taking the time to send your correspondence to my office; however, since this is a matter currently being considered by the Federal Communications Commission (FCC), and not the U.S. House of Representatives, I suggest that you direct your comments to the FCC.

In January, the FCC ordered the formation of a working group co-chaired by LightSquared and the United State GPS Industry Council to investigate the interference issue. The working group subsequently authored a report on the matter. LightSquared has also submitted its recommendations to address the concerns raised in the report. The FCC is now accepting comment on both the working group report and the recommendations. You may learn more about this process at www.fcc.gov, and you may submit your comments electronically at http://fjallfoss.fcc.gov/ecfs/, referencing IB Docket No. 11-109. Comments are due by July 30, 2011, and reply comments are due by August 15, 2011.

Thank you again for sharing your thoughts with me. I encourage you to visit my website at www.hoyer.house.gov. While there, you can sign up for the Hoyer Herald, access my voting record, and get information about important public issues. If I can be of further assistance, please do not hesitate to contact me.

With kindest regards, I am

Sincerely yours,

Steny H. Hoyer

Joe CD MS 300 · Post by **Joe CD MS 300** » Jul 24th, '11, 05:59

Here's another response:

Thank you for contacting me about LightSquared. I appreciate hearing from you.

As you may know, on January 26, 2011, the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) granted LightSquared a waiver to build a nationwide broadband network. Since then, several organizations have expressed concerns regarding the potential of LightSquared's proposed network to interfere with neighboring Global Positioning System (GPS) signals. LightSquared recently announced that it would move its proposed network to a new spectrum block so that its system would not interfere with GPS signals. The FCC is currently working with LightSquared and the concerned parties to resolve any potential problems. Please be assured that I will keep your thoughts in mind as work continues on this issue.

Thank you again for your correspondence. Please do not hesitate to contact me in the future if I can be of assistance.

Sincerely,

Pat Toomey
U.S. Senator, Pennsylvania

j2sailing · Post by **j2sailing** » Jul 24th, '11, 16:00

Time to dust off and practice up. I believe it all goes back to the opening screen on every GPS and chart plotter. There simply is no substitute for the basics in my mind. I love Gps too. But it isn't necessary to sail offshore or along the coast. It's a major convenience, but not the end of the world if/when the government weenies decide to pull the plug or allow some vendor to squeeze next to the signal.

Thing is, most folks never, ever do the basics. Or seem to care about them. After 4 offshore deliveries as volunteer crew, I have seen one--repeat one--skipper practice any form or fashion of basic, simple, plotting type navigation. That includes cutting between islands with shoals all around and entering an east coast inlet. This includes not having the proper large scale charts for safe navigation when coming off of soundings.

All have relied completely on the black boxes. These are licensed individuals with thousands of sea miles. Which means they have been trained and tested in chart plotting and basic navigation. GPS has made sailing navigation safer. And freed us up to trim sails and enjoy the ride without the worry of navigation. But from what I've seen, it's also made many sailors way too lazy.

I believe this is a time to think positively about a potential situation that could happen. We sailors pride ourselves in our ability to think and plan ahead for the unexpected. Loss of GPS or weakened GPS signals would not mean the end of sailing. Far from it. Maybe it's time to dust off the old tools and break out the chart and practice. To become proficient and stay proficient. Each time and every time you sail. Not just while the black box works.

Take a few minutes out of your sail to pop off a fix, navigate by DR, work out a running fix, shoot a bow and beam bearing to compute distance off. Show your mate or partner how to do it. This can be fun and challenging. And it will get you ready. Sort of like preparing for a hurricane, flood, natural disaster--or heavy weather.

Here's some sage advice from some of the heavy-weights of sailing and seamanship:

"To imagine that installing a GPS does away with any need for navigational expertise is a grave mistake."
- Tom Cunliffe

"Nautical charts are the starting and ending points of navigation."
- Nigel Calder

"It is seldom possible to have too many charts."
- Donald Street

"In actual practice, piloting generally resolves itself down into the intelligent study of a chart."
- Charles F. Chapman

"No seaworthy navigator ever relies on a single system of navigation. Electronic equipment sometimes is inaccurate or unreliable, and for that reason it must be regularly checked against traditional piloting concepts and disciplines..."
- John Rousmaniere

The Cape Dory Board

Message from BoatU.S. Government Affairs re: GPS reliability

Message from BoatU.S. Government Affairs re: GPS reliability

Thanks Cathy - other members please take note and act

We Need our GPS!

Thanks for posting this

examples

Not just safety

Depends on what is important

Re: Depends on what is important

One Congressman's response

Back to Basics?