C Band Dish Registration

[radio]

This is off topic but has there's next to no chance that the FCC will prioritize C-Band use over the big mobile and broadband providers, I figured there's no harm.

And that's EXACTLY what will happen if radio stations, TV stations, Cable companies AND OUR MEMBERS HERE do NOTHING. It goes right back to what we said on the radio during our area's school millage elections of last week: If you don't vote, don't complain! In this case, if you don't write the FCC, don't complain when your wonderful hobby falls apart, and your cheap TV programming via FTA dwindles. If you're on this site, reading FTA, you need to write. There's enough info in the (Munn) Newsletter on how, and enough responses in to the FCC site now for you to get an idea of short letters, long letters, forms of letters, and then formulate your own letter to the FCC. And yes, before you ask, include your contact information in it, and YES, tell them you're a member of this site, as well. It can only help.

 

[Jackonearth]

And that's EXACTLY what will happen if radio stations, TV stations, Cable companies AND OUR MEMBERS HERE do NOTHING. It goes right back to what we said on the radio during our area's school millage elections of last week: If you don't vote, don't complain! In this case, if you don't write the FCC, don't complain when your wonderful hobby falls apart, and your cheap TV programming via FTA dwindles. If you're on this site, reading FTA, you need to write. There's enough info in the (Munn) Newsletter on how, and enough responses in to the FCC site now for you to get an idea of short letters, long letters, forms of letters, and then formulate your own letter to the FCC. And yes, before you ask, include your contact information in it, and YES, tell them you're a member of this site, as well. It can only help.

Writing a letter to the FCC and voting are not the same thing. The practical difference being that the FCC can simply ignore all of our letters and listen to corporate interests instead. While votes can't be ignored (hopefully). If you want an FCC that will listen to us, you'll have to wait for the 2020 election. The fact that net neutrality, an issue that got way more attention than C-Band ever will, is coming to an end in June, should tell you that this FCC isn't interested in what we have to say. We have a voice every time there's an election but in between, only money talks.

 

[radio]

Come on, Be REAL for a minute. I'm well aware of the difference, but the DON'T COMPLAIN IF YOU DON'T PARTICIPATE remains the same. It's the whole purpose for the public comment period with the FCC. All we're asking for here is MORE VOICES from this site, instead of apathetic posts that skew toward political bias instead of actually TRYING to protect a big part of what this site is all about, and, at the same time, helping your LOCAL BROADCASTERS. Why not write as a consumer? You really don't have the facts to deny the possibility that the letters are important, and I'm really sorry if you don't like our current FCC, but it's what is regulating what WE HAVE NOW in our communications in this country, and I stand by what I said. If you don't write, DON'T COMPLAIN.

 

[Jackonearth]

Come on, Be REAL for a minute. I'm well aware of the difference, but the DON'T COMPLAIN IF YOU DON'T PARTICIPATE remains the same. It's the whole purpose for the public comment period with the FCC. All we're asking for here is MORE VOICES from this site, instead of apathetic posts that skew toward political bias instead of actually TRYING to protect a big part of what this site is all about, and, at the same time, helping your LOCAL BROADCASTERS. Why not write as a consumer? You really don't have the facts to deny the possibility that the letters are important, and I'm really sorry if you don't like our current FCC, but it's what is regulating what WE HAVE NOW in our communications in this country, and I stand by what I said. If you don't write, DON'T COMPLAIN.

I understand what you're saying and I agree. And I'm not trying to get political. But I follow the FCC closely, and this FCC only listens to big money. Should everyone here write a letter? Yes. Just don't be surprised if you discover our voices don't carry much weight.

 

[. Raine]

Not just us too, maybe other members of our households can send letters saying how important c band is to them? My daughter is on board with sending one. My wife is on the fence about it.

 

[Magic Static]

I also voiced our concerns with Senator Jon Tester of Montana.

 

[radio]

As members of this site, certainly you have your own style for filing comments with the FCC. If you choose "express" on their site, you can type right IN to it, without a word document, letterhead, etc with just your (well phrased) thoughts. As a broadcaster, I had a few points to make. My comments on this issue have been uploaded and will be available when they update the system today, but attached is what was sent to the FCC via their e-filing on behalf of my stations, and as a user of Free to Air Satellite transmissions as well. I promised I'd put it up here for you, now...go ahead, craft your own..and file!

Enjoy!

 

[KE4EST]

I must say Jim that was a well put together letter! Very well done and professional.
This is a great guide for guys here, to read over it a few times and compose their own.

 

[danristheman]

Very well put radio nice job on that letter.

 

[radio]

Thank you. I appreciate the kind words. It is now officially posted to the FCC site. Hope to see even short, but meaningful ones from our members defending our C-band up there soon. It's not hard to file. I'll gladly help anyone that is in need. Link below to the filed letters. Many more are needed.
ECFS

 

[. Raine]

Good letter, Radio! I plan to submit a comment soon, it does look very easy to do. We have until the 30th of this month to do it, correct?.

 

[radio]

yes! Please do...but don't wait...FCC servers have been known to "not work" when deadlines loom.

 

[. Raine]

yes! Please do...but don't wait...FCC servers have been known to "not work" when deadlines loom.

Good to know!

 

[danristheman]

I just sent a message to my senator Joe Donnelly here in Indiana this is a good video to show are side.

 

[comfortably_numb]

I just sent a message to my senator Joe Donnelly here in Indiana this is a good video to show are side.

Good video, Dan. Hope the FCC is listening.

 

[danristheman]

Here's another for you guys what about weather radar they use c band??? Torando coming toward your house sorry weather radar let me check my YouTube that is more important.

 

[radio]

Any use of C-band is in danger, depending on the part of the band that the FCC (could likely) license to others.
Many uses of it are in danger. Also: an engineer of ours suggested that the letter(s) be filed under multiple Docket numbers, (I think they were additionally 17-258 and 17-183....but you can double check by reading some of the filings, like the T-mobile one.)

 

[radio]

So, is anyone writing? 6 days since the last entry on the docket to which we replied.

I hope some of you are....because I know the FTA people here will scream loudly if part of their band is given away to terrestrial 5g and other data communications...and if it causes issues. Not being pushy. Just hearing the clock ticking...and the crickets chirping. The "Express" filing is easier than the other way offered, and your letters don't have to be involved like mine. I probably scared some of you away from doing it...I hope not!!!

 

[comfortably_numb]

More Broadcasters Weigh in on C Band Sharing

More Broadcasters Weigh In On C Band Sharing
Allowing other uses in this spectrum could be the final straw to struggling broadcasters, says one commenter
Susan Ashworth
May 21, 2018

• asked for comments on the feasibility of allowing wireless services to use or share parts of the 3.7–4.2 GHz spectrum band for 5G use.
  
  The FCC is asking for direction on how it should assess the possible impacts of sharing with those who are already operating in this band. The agency is also asking for suggestions on how this sharing might be accomplished without causing harmful interference and what other considerations the commission should take into account.
  
  Comments coming into the FCC’s ECFS database illustrate that a fair number of broadcasters are concerned.
  
  The C Band system is invaluable and must be protected, said W. Cris Alexander, director of engineering for Crawford Broadcasting in a comment filing.
  
  Crawford Broadcasting is licensee to 14 AM and 9 FM commercial broadcast stations, many of whom use C Band satellite reception equipment for delivery of program content for broadcast, he said. As such, Crawford has a great interest in preserving interference-free reception of such satellite signals.
  
  Alexander encourages the commission to carefully consider the possible adverse effects that terrestrial sharing of C Band satellite signals in the 3.7-4.2 GHz band would have. Not only have users made a considerable investment in the infrastructure, but it serves as a cost-effective one-to-many broadcast model with reliable, nationwide reach, he said.
  
  “Because of the number of C Band earth stations, registered and unregistered, that are in use by radio and television stations in every part of the U.S., we do not believe that moving existing C Band satellite operations to a different frequency would be practical or even possible,” Alexander said. “Such a move would be very disruptive and costly to implement.”
  
  A better alternative would be to locate the proposed commercial wireless services on alternative frequencies, he said.
  
  A similar assessment was made by Thomas R. Ray III, a radio station technical consultant with Tom Ray Broadcast Consulting, LLC.
  
  Every one of these stations relies heavily on programming delivered via C Band satellite from numerous program providers like Westwood One, Premiere Radio Networks, ESPN Radio and CBS News, Ray said.
  
  “As it is, we already have issues with things such as airline altimeter radar that can, and does, wipe out C Band reception, particularly in the New York City area,” he said.
  
  “By allowing other uses in this portion of the C Band downlink, you run the risk of putting numerous radio stations off the air, in addition to costing stations money that many cannot afford to move their downlinks and backhaul their services,” he said.
  
  The suggestion to use fiber or the public Internet for distribution is not feasible in many areas of the country, he said, due to lack of availability.
  
  “Please do not further limit broadcasters,” he said. “Doing so could be the final straw to many struggling broadcasters who may need to simply sign off rather than incur large costs to relocate their dishes, purchase new equipment if program providers locate to another satellite band (such as kU), or have to provide strictly locally generated programming.”
  
  On May 1, the Office of Engineering and Technology and the International and Wireless Telecommunications Bureaus asked for comments on the feasibility of allowing wireless services to use or share parts of the 3.7-4.2 GHz spectrum band for 5G use.
  
  The FCC is asking for direction on how it should assess the possible impacts of sharing with those who are already operating in this band. The agency is also asking for suggestions on how this sharing might be accomplished without causing harmful interference.
  
  Those interested in submitting comments can do so through the FCC ECFS database using Docket 18-122. The deadline for those comments is May 31, with reply comments due June 15.
  

 

[bpalone]

OK, filed my comment. Put it here in case anyone wants to see it outside of the FCC's system.