4G Broadband may Jam GPS

[LarryandSusanMacDonald]

Is this something with which we need to concern ourselves??

"The GPS industry warned that a proposed broadband Internet network could effectively jam GPS signals. Further, it said it has data showing that any of the anticipated 40,000 transmitters can make a Garmin 430 go dark at a range of 5 miles.

GPS World calls the proposal by LightSquared “disastrous” and warns of major problems for all kinds of GPS-reliant devices. The publication said a study by GPS-industry stakeholders, including Garmin, determined the LightSquared network “will create a disastrous interference problem for GPS receiver operation to the point where GPS receivers will cease to operate (complete loss of fix) when in the vicinity of these transmitters.”

That, says the report, “will deny GPS service over vast areas of the United States.”

The industry told the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) of the potential problem but the FCC approved the multibillion-dollar effort, which will carry 4G broadband throughout the country."

Source: 4G Broadband May Jam GPS?

[sailingdog]

Yup.. it's a problem, but not one for sailors, since there are very few cell towers on the ocean.

[JimMcGee]

SD, Not so fast. There's lots of cell towers in coastal cruising areas.

[speciald]

I would worry more about commercial airlines that use Waas for navigation and Laas for landing.

[sailingdog]

Originally Posted by JimMcGee

SD, Not so fast. There's lots of cell towers in coastal cruising areas.

I don't think the range of disruption from the 4G antenna is all that large. From another article I read on the issue, it seemed to really be a local aspect.

Very few antennas are located right on the coast, they're usually inland a couple of miles, since coverage of the water is rarely a goal of the cell companies. Even in this article is said that signal loss only occurred at 5.3 miles... and if the cell towers are located 3 miles, inland, you're going to have a 2.5 mile swath of water affected. At 2.5 miles from land, you're able to use coastal pilotage techniques most of the time.

The only time this might become a real issue is if you're relying on GPS to make a landfall and are in heavily limited visibility conditions.

Of course, what real world testing shows to be true has yet to be seen.

[RichH]

hmmmmmm - I wonder if this is related to the apparent reason why GPS is sooooo prone to error near any major military installation along the Atlantic Coast - Norfolk, Portsmouth, Pax River, Mayport, St. Marys R., Paris Is, Pensacola, etc. etc. etc. ???

[sailingdog]

Probably something related to this, but not quite the exact same issue.

Originally Posted by RichH

hmmmmmm - I wonder if this is related to the apparent reason why GPS is sooooo prone to error near any major military installation along the Atlantic Coast - Norfolk, Portsmouth, Pax River, Mayport, St. Marys R., Paris Is, Pensacola, etc. etc. etc. ???

[carl762]

Just great. Kinda screws the inland sailors such as myself. Sometimes, no most times, I wonder if these decision makers even have brains.

[sailingdog]

Another reason to sail on salt water...

Originally Posted by carl762

Just great. Kinda screws the inland sailors such as myself. Sometimes, no most times, I wonder if these decision makers even have brains.

[carl762]

Ocean is 100 miles from my boat, SD. Unfortunately, I don't have the time to make that trip, except for a vacation, and my 23 footer will never taste salt.

Perhaps a bigger boat will come into my life, the closer get to retirement (if I'm ever able).