If you have ever tried to listen to dialogue on the TV or radio while someone else is loudly booming music nearby you begin to understand the problem. If you have ever tried to watch a show while someone nearby uses a power tool that scrambles the picture when turned on you begin to understand the problem. What is the problem? Jamming.
The GPS has proven itself over the last 30 years and grown to one of the most successful high-tech utilities. The number of people who utilize or benefit from the GPS includes practically everyone. There is one aspect about the GPS that is particularly fragile, however; the power of its signal is less than a whisper.
A company called LightSquared sees the space nearby the GPS signal in the radio spectrum and sees dollar signs just waiting to be mined and apparently the agency appointed to protect the public’s airwaves , the FCC, seems to agree with them. While a profitable use of the spectrum is a worthwhile goal, doing so to the detriment of existing users has always been rightly disallowed. If I make a device like a computer or MP3 player, it is my responsibility to assure no interference to those nearby. Any broadcaster of a radio signal carries a similar responsibility to those using other parts of the spectrum.
In the case of LightSquared’s proposal to use neighboring spectrum there is an almost certain interference with the very weak GPS signal. Even if the transmitters used by LightSquared’s satellites could be filtered sufficiently to avoid that, the devices that receive those signals also generate similar signals in order to work. As weak as the GPS signal is and as detuned as consumer devices normally may be expected to become, interference with any nearby very sensitive GPS receivers is inevitable.
Consider joining the Coalition to Save Our GPS or at least check out the Coalition to Save Our GPS Webinar Thursday. (Make a request and I’ll send you a list of comments and articles collected on this topic.) Read more below:
Coalition to Save Our GPS Webinar
Please join us for a webinar that will bring members up to date on the current status of coalition activities and a discussion of what to expect going forward. Jim Kirkland, VP and General Counsel of Trimble Navigation and Nick Yaksich, VP, Global Public Policy at the Association of Equipment Manufacturers will make presentations followed by a Q&A period.
Date and Time: Wednesday, April 27, 2011 – 11:00 am EDT
(8:00 am PDT / 9:00 am MDT / 11:00 am EDT)
Event address for attendees: https://saveourgps.webex.com/saveourgps/onstage/g.php?d=920839719&t=a
Event number: 920 839 719 Event password: 4272011
To access audio for the event:
Call-in toll-free number (US/Canada): 1-877-669-3239
Call-in toll number (US/Canada): +1-408-600-3600
Access code: 920 839 719