Before George Washington was a military officer or the nation’s first president, he was a surveyor and mapmaker. That expertise and interest in geography would stay with him throughout his life, shaping many of his decisions as a leader on the battlefield and in the political arena. A special exhibition and talk at Washington College on Wednesday, February 22 at 5 p.m. will focus on this often-overlooked aspect of Washington and his career.

The world’s leading authority on Washington’s maps, Edward J. Redmond, Senior Reference Specialist and Curator in the Geography and Map Division of the Library of Congress, will offer a PowerPoint presentation and talk at 5 p.m. in Decker Theatre, the Gibson Center for the Arts, on the College campus, 300 Washington Avenue, Chestertown. Those unable to be present can watch a live webcast of the event at http://live.washcoll.edu/.

Click here for more information.

Background
We have very important, and encouraging, news to report on the LightSquared saga. On February 15, the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) issued a Public Notice proposing that it would:

1) Withdraw the January 2011 waiver that allowed LightSquared to proceed with its planned wireless network; and

2) Modify LightSquared’s satellite license to prohibit LightSquared from building any ground-based wireless network.

This FCC decision was brought about, in large part, by two additional interference studies released by the Federal government on February 14. These reports (http://www.gps.gov/news/2012/02/lightsquared/) clearly demonstrate that LightSquared’s network interferes with GPS and that there are no practical fixes to solve that interference.

This is a great step forward for protecting GPS from interference. But, it is not the final step.

The FCC is now seeking public comment on its two proposals, and we need your help.

We ask that you write the FCC applauding it for making the two proposals contained in the Public Notice, which if adopted would prohibit LightSquared from buildings its wireless network, and strongly urging the FCC to adopt both proposals. The FCC has asked for public comments by March 1. Although comments can be submitted up until the time that the FCC makes a formal decision on the matter, we urge you to write as soon as possible.

What can I do?
Everyone who cares about GPS should let the FCC know that the facts are now clear — LightSquared cannot be allowed to move forward. In writing to the FCC, we encourage you to cover the following points in your own words:

• How you use GPS technology in your business and/or personal life.
• What would happen to your business/personal life if GPS became unavailable or unreliable.
• While more capacity for wireless broadband services is important, it should not come at the expense of GPS, which is critical to our country’s economy.
• All of the engineering studies conducted, including those recently released by the government agency in charge of federal radio spectrum management, clearly show that LightSquared’s proposed network causes interference and that there are no remedies to fix this interference.
• The FCC should formally adopt its proposed recommendations and deny LightSquared the authority to offer any ground-based wireless network.

How do I tell the FCC to save GPS?
The FCC has an easy-to-use portal on its website to subit feedback on the Public Notice:

(1) Click on this link for the FCC’s Electronic Comments Filing System (ECFS): http://apps.fcc.gov/ecfs/comment_search/input?z=wtyos
(2) In the box which says “Proceeding Number,” type: 11-109. It is important to include this docket number with your comments.
(3) In the designated boxes, enter (a) your name or your company’s name, and (b) your mailing address/city/state/zip.
(4) In the box which says “Type in or paste your brief comments,” do so. Click “Continue.”
(5) A review page will load listing all of the information entered. If correct, click “Confirm.” (6) If you have trouble, contact the FCC ECFS Helpdesk at 202-418-0193 or e-mail at ecfshelp@fcc.gov.

Thanks to you and your organizations, we have made tremendous strides in dealing with this very serious threat to the viability of GPS. Please bear in mind that it’s not over yet, and that these comments can have a real impact on the FCC’s decision-making. Thank you.