You need not be a Boat/US member to respond to this appeal for comments on this important issue for all cruisers. The Salty Southeast Cruisers’ Net is proud to join with Boat?US in a appeal to the cruising community to let our collective voices be heard on this vital issue!

February 24, 2012
Dear Boat/U.S. Member:
Last summer boaters sent a clear message to the Federal Communications Commission ‘“ `Don’t Mess with GPS!” As you may remember, a private company, LightSquared, received preliminary FCC approval to offer a new cellular broadband service. Tests showed this service could significantly interfere with GPS signals.

Thanks to over 18,000 boaters who submitted comments, along with many other GPS users, the FCC required additional testing in the fall. (Thank you all for your help!) Last week, these tests revealed that the LightSquared’s network would interfere with GPS and that there are no practical fixes. As a result, the FCC has proposed to withdraw LightSquared’s approval.(http://www.gps.gov/news/2012/02/lightsquared/)

The FCC has a new comment period (open to March 1) asking for the public’s opinion. Even if you wrote last summer, please take a few minutes now and write the FCC asking them to protect the GPS signal by saying `No’ to LightSquared’s current proposal. Given this company’s tenacity over the last year, we want to make sure that boaters’ needs are remembered as the FCC makes their final decision.

Important points to make:
How do you use GPS in your life ‘“ on the water, on land, or in the air?
What would happen to your business/personal life if GPS became unavailable or unreliable?
Wireless broadband service is important, but it should not come at the expense of GPS.
All the studies show that LightSquared’s proposed network would cause interference and that there are no remedies.
Tell FCC that you rely on them to protect the integrity of the GPS signal and that you support their recommendation to stop LightSquared’s current proposal

You can submit comments directly to the FCC through their online comment form. (We regret we can’t streamline this process for you, but it is important enough we’re still asking for your help.) Here’s how:
Click on this link for the FCC’s Electronic Comments Filing System (ECFS): http://apps.fcc.gov/ecfs/hotdocket/list
Select `Proceeding Number 11-109.’ It should be near the top of the list.
In the designated boxes, enter your name and mailing address.
In the box that says `Type in or paste your brief comments,’ do so. Click `Continue’.
A review page will load listing all of the information entered. If correct, click `Confirm.’
If you have any trouble, you may contact the FCC ECFS Help desk at 202-418-0193 or email at ecfshelp@fcc.gov

Thank you for taking action to protect the integrity of the GPSsystem.

Margaret Podlich
President, BoatU.S.
GovtAffairs@BoatUS.com
703-461-2878 x8363

For an update on this and other government affairs topics please visit http://www.BoatUS.com/gov