From an article by Eric Gakstatter in GPS World:
I’m going to keep this simple. You, the high-precision GPS user, are likely going to be considered collateral damage.
The military is going to be accommodated in the name of national security. The aviation industry is going to be accommodated in the name of safety-of-life. The auto navigation industry is going to be accommodated because they are high-profile. The high-precision user is going to be thrown under the bus because we are the most difficult to accommodate (technically) and don’t have a high profile nor are perceived as significant enough to accommodate.
In other words, the high-precision user will be told to “deal with it.”
> In other words, the high-precision user will be told to “deal with it.”
What I got out of that is that there is are a whole lot of survey-grade GPS receivers that are going to be rendered non-functional by this band-width allocation. It's probably a bad time to be even thinking about buying new equipment. Most of the receivers in the CORS network will need to be replaced if it is to remain functional.
This whole topic makes me incredibly angry.
This is a cynical statement, but the way I see this playing out is:
1. The towers are erected.
2. Survey, GIS, Machine Control, etc. see enough interference to warrant exchanging for upgraded gear, an unnecessary expense.
3. Survey, GIS, Machine Control, etc. file hundreds of lawsuits or a class action lawsuit against LS.
4. The winners? As always, the Lawyers.
Although I've wanted to buy newer equipment than the ancient Trimble 4700's I've used since 1999 maybe it will turn out OK. Suppose I'll use them until they get drowned out then deal with it. Hopefully they with speed up the launch of the L1/L5 birds but then bout everyone will have a high precision measuring device.
It comes out the same every time, its all about the money, this time we are on the short end of the stick.
Typical blinkered big business, greedy for their big buck. Suppose they will use soon to be redundant survey grade GPS to place their towers....
RADU
I believe next to the 4000 the 4700 was the best unit Trimble ever built.
> This is a cynical statement, but the way I see this playing out is:
>
> 1. The towers are erected.
> 2. Survey, GIS, Machine Control, etc. see enough interference to warrant exchanging for upgraded gear, an unnecessary expense.
> 3. Survey, GIS, Machine Control, etc. file hundreds of lawsuits or a class action lawsuit against LS.
> 4. The winners? As always, the Lawyers.
Philip Falcone is the money behind LightSquared.
A few years ago he (along with another hedge fund) acquired 10% of the New York Times Company and tried unsuccessfully to get some of their people on the Board of Directors. The Chairman at the time spoke at the shareholders meeting and, looking straight at Falcone, said that "The New York Times is not for sale".
Falcone went back to his office and over the next two weeks spent 500 million dollars to purchase another 27 million shares, forced a new vote, and got 4 seats on the board for his slate of candidates
LightSquared isn't going to give up without a fight.
I believe the FCC guy that approved this deal is an old college buddy of the president. There is probably some similar connection to the money behind LightSquared.
Maybe they will just print some money and buy us all out (optimistic thinking).
Served me well, so far at least!
What about L1 units like my trimble 4600's?
This is a money decision by those in control of the FCC and their boss, politicians....
The guard on GPS went on down prior to 9/11 and the guard will again be blocked if we are not careful.
Our national security system has to be ahead of this or we are in peril.
I believe that the public services concerning being able to use GPS is to upgrade or be left behind.
The key will be the unloading of basic GPS devices on all levels at a greatly reduced price.
Then the end will be just over the horizon.
"Ammo up"
opps, forgot all caps
|-) and loose sheepels.....
Never fear ... at least one populist senator has our back...
this is a response letter to a MARLS member-
Dear Ronald,
Thank you for contacting me regarding the Federal Communications Commission (FCC), LightSquared LLC, and the proposed nationwide 4G-LTE wireless broadband network. It's good to hear from you.
For the United States to remain competitive in the increasingly global marketplace, it's vitally important that broadband access be available across our country, including rural areas. Many jobs depend on access to high-speed Internet service and too many young people leave rural parts of our state to find economic opportunities in more urban settings. Access to broadband is both an economic development issue and a quality of life issue.
On the other hand, I understand your concerns about maintaining access to Global Positioning System (GPS) receivers for surveyors like yourself. The LightSquared/GPS Working Group is evaluating this issue. I look forward to reading their report, which should be released in June 2011.
I appreciate your vigilance on this issue. As the Senate considers any telecommunications legislation, I will work with my colleagues to find the best ways to have our policies match the needs of Montanans. Please do not hesitate to contact me again if I can be of further assistance.
Sincerely,
Jon Tester
United States Senator
Follow Jon Tester on his Website | Facebook | YouTube
Signup for Jon's Newsletter
having your back and bending you over is pretty much the same thing.....isn't it?
Does anyone have a good "refresher" PDF on determining SPC from Polaris observations?
Time to raid the display case museums and go "retro".
:coffee:
Never fear ... at least one populist senator has our back...
Oh, that is classic!
Never fear ... at least one populist senator has our back...
I always get a kick out of those replies from congresscritters. Even when the flunky who writes them weaves an actual reference to your concern into the boilerplate, they don’t commit to anything. And in order to be of "further" assistance, wouldn’t you first have to be of "assistance".
see this publication, "Field Astronomy for Surveyors"
in addition one can start by downloading the 2012 Ephemeris Tables...
http://gbennett.customer.netspace.net.au/FieldAstronomy2/Field%20AstronomyPDF.pdf
Or cut & paste
http://gbennett.customer.netspace.net.au/FieldAstronomy2/Field AstronomyPDF.pdf
Nice article (and art work), Gavin. Good to hear your thoughts on the subject.
Philip Falcone sounds like the name of a bad guy from a Batman movie.
