The 5G Fiasco From An Airline Pilot’s Point Of ViewA first-hand account of what possible 5G interference could look like in the cockpit and the chaos

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RFI-EMI-GUY

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What a mess. If I understand correctly, Radar Altimeters are also necessary to prevent pilots from flying their aircraft into terrain. So it is not only an air port problem, it is a problem in mountainous terrain as well. The FCC has lost its way.
 

AK9R

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I find this whole thing to be rather silly. Are the pilots crying wolf? Is the FCC ignoring technical issues? The FAA and the FCC are both U.S. Federal agencies. Seems like technical representatives of both agencies could get together in a room or over a video conference to work out the issues.

By some reports, the real problem is that the avionics industry has been building radar altimeters with crappy filtering. It wasn't a problem when they had no neighbors in the radio spectrum. But, now that someone else has moved in next door, there's a problem. And, how close is next door? About 200 MHz. This image is from industry technology group RTCA:
5G_Spurious_emissions_1459x550.jpg


Note that RTCA issued that report in October 2020.

If that image is correct, who's the bad guy in all of this? If the avionics industry knew this was going to be a problem, did they ignore the FCC's intention to auction the 3700-3980 MHz band? Did the FCC ignore the problem the avionics industry would have filtering out the new 5G band?
 

mmckenna

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If that image is correct, who's the bad guy in all of this? If the avionics industry knew this was going to be a problem, did they ignore the FCC's intention to auction the 3700-3980 MHz band? Did the FCC ignore the problem the avionics industry would have filtering out the new 5G band?

This is reminiscent of the whole GPS/Ligado mess.
 

RFI-EMI-GUY

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I find this whole thing to be rather silly. Are the pilots crying wolf? Is the FCC ignoring technical issues? The FAA and the FCC are both U.S. Federal agencies. Seems like technical representatives of both agencies could get together in a room or over a video conference to work out the issues.

By some reports, the real problem is that the avionics industry has been building radar altimeters with crappy filtering. It wasn't a problem when they had no neighbors in the radio spectrum. But, now that someone else has moved in next door, there's a problem. And, how close is next door? About 200 MHz. This image is from industry technology group RTCA:
5G_Spurious_emissions_1459x550.jpg


Note that RTCA issued that report in October 2020.

If that image is correct, who's the bad guy in all of this? If the avionics industry knew this was going to be a problem, did they ignore the FCC's intention to auction the 3700-3980 MHz band? Did the FCC ignore the problem the avionics industry would have filtering out the new 5G band?
The radar altimeter band was allocated when C band was used primarily by satellite down links. Indeed it is similar to the Lightspeed Ligado fiasco.

The bad guy here is the FCC, once again trying to squeeze money out of nothing.

The RTCA should be honest and append that drawing to show the minor power levels and spurious noiss that the satellites contributed prior to the new cellular.

To properly appreciate this you must look at spectrum allocations like you would property zoning. Here in my town we have 40 acres of land that is rural and apart from a few agricultural and utility uses , the most than can be built there are a few houses on 5 acre lots. The neighbors around that property have lived with the understanding that they have a quiet enjoyment. now an agressive real estate developer wants a zoning waiver to clear cut all the trees , pave it all and build a hotel , retail shopping and apartments. The noise level will increase exponentially. are those existing homeowners at fault for building there? What are their property rights. put yourself in their shoes.
 
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