Posted on 10/24/2011 8:22:39 AM PDT by the_daug
Survey Scene, October 2011
LightSquared’s been in the news quite a bit since my last Survey Scene newsletter a month ago, but very little of it has actual consequence. A lot of the “news” is just noise. LightSquared pumped up its propaganda campaign nationwide to try to build a consensus in their favor and put pressure on the FCC, and is threatening a lawsuit if the FCC doesn’t do what LightSquared wants. No surprises there. However, other things have happened that I think you might be interested in hearing about.
(Excerpt) Read more at gpsworld.com ...
I’m not sure which side of the issue I’m on. But, if you have to replace old equipment because it doesn’t meet the specifications, it seems that the GPS manufacturer should have to pay for the replacement.
In fact, it seems they should have to recall their “defective” equipment, or offer a refund. That’s if the courts rule for Lightsquared and against the GPS manufacturers.
My point is that it isn’t the consumer’s fault that the equipment no longer works, and whosever fault it is, should pay to fix the problem they have caused. This isn’t a “buyer beware” situation, or a case where the company told you that your equipment was inferior but cost less and you made an informed choice.
Excellent article.
Fair assessment, GPS World represents the professional users (surveying, precision ag, etc). The biggest problem (aside from LightSquareds political manipulation of FCC and the lack of any semblance of technical expertise and/or ethics therein), is the way both sides let lawyers and PR flacks “play engineer”. Like the silly “first come first served” argument, in which they simply embarrass themselves thorough their ignorance.
Yes we always need the latest shiny object. /s
The only ‘fix’ is the way Obama has been bought off with more campaign cash. It infuriates me that this crony capitalism continues to go on and our political class is either ignorant (Republicans in this case) of the issue at hand, or complicit (Democrats). Much as when Clinton allowed a lot of sensitive guidance technology flow to China in the 90’s, the political classs can’t be trusted when it comes to issues of technology.
My understanding is they did meet the specs for when it was created. So it wouldn’t be their fault either.
The problem is the technical issues may be going to a ligation/political process rather than engineering process which will likely produce an outcome that cost more to either side of the issue and the disinterested public.
Don’t let LightSquared over-simplify this “fix." LightSquared Executive VP and lawyer Jeff Carlisle likes to play “engineer” like he did last week at a congressional hearing looking at the LightSquared GPS-jamming impact on small business. I couldn’t believe it when he pulled out a massive GPS receiver head and demonstrated how he would retrofit it with a $6 component to solve the problem, even going so far as showing where he would place it on a circuit board. The sad part is that there was not an engineer in sight to call him on it. Take a look at the 4:50 mark in this video:
Good summary - I’m an electrical engineer (and ham radio operator) - you’re summary puts it just right. I really like the Audio Amp versus Hearing aid analogy -very similar too what LightSquared is asking of GPS receivers.
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