I'm reasonably sure that the FCC's regulatory policy is about the
same regardless of the administration. Like Roger said, lack of guts
has nothing to do with the FCCs regulatory policy. For decades, the
mantra has been "less regulation." If the FCC were to genuinely try
to create, or even energetically enforce, regulation that protected
the sanctity of the HF spectrum, corporations would immediately howl
about over regulation and how it inhibits creativity. Yes, it's all
pure, unadulterated crapola, but these complaints have traction.
It's about profit.
It took a long time to finally drive a stake through LightSquared 's
heart because there was a lot of money on the line and regulators had
to balance the incapacitation of GPS against a lot of investors money
and large corporate interests. By the slimmest of margins
LightSquared lost, but it took far longer than it should have.
Government/military installations are not widespread in the CONUS and
anything significant is also far away from the (electronic) hue and
cry of consumer electronics. The stuff that kills us poses no
impediment to government/military communications. Brodcast AM? No one
listens to broadcast AM at home anymore, so any "protection" we got
from that is gone, too.
Hams are a teeny, tiny minority. Our activities simply don't affect
the big picture of corporate profit except to at least
infinitesimally reduce it. So, as has always been the case, we're not
worth protecting. In fact, doing so will negatively affect the
corporate bottom line -- it's been that way for decades, so this isn't new.
While we are certainly passionate about what we do, see value in it,
and understand that keeping the RF world "clean" equates to being
able to use it to its full potential, Jack and Jill consumer
certainly won't spend an extra penny to protect us. I am truly
dedicated to amateur radio, it has been a major part of my life for
over 40 years and I expect it to be for at least the next 40. Yet, if
we (hams) were to disappear tomorrow, we would not be missed until
the next disaster or severe weather outbreak. Until then, we are as
invisible to the public as we are inscrutable.
Just my $0.02 worth.
Kim N5OP
At 10:01 AM 12/26/2012, Roger (K8RI) wrote:
I seriously doubt it's "lack of guts", although common sense is another issue.
If you look at their recent history you should easily identify a
trend. Look at what they did with LightSquared, violating their own
rules in the process. Look at the revolving door from the agency to
high places in industry. Not saying they have a conflict of
interest, but when they have to violate their own rules to please
the present administration it might lead to an atmosphere of trying
to please...well, use your imagination.
OTOH shortages of personnel and funds have always been a hallmark of the FCC
Whether it be over regulation or lack of enforcement in specific
areas it is endemic across many agencies, not that I'd accuse any of
them of favoritism or wrong doing. Far from it. I'm sure they
"Want" to do as their charter says if they were allowed to do so.
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