Be aware of this FCC ruling
Had heard it was occurring, but now it is confirmed and hopefully stopped in its tracks. http://www.rvmobileinternet.com/fcc-strongly-rules-that-wifi-blocking-is-prohibited/
Forum Discussion
n7bsn said
Is it a radio or not? Is it always on? What were the pilots' reactions when they discovered this?
The point is that we're told that cell phones can't be used aboard aircraft because they interfere with the navigation of the plane. We're supposed to just buy this at face value and comply. Then the airlines stick this huge RADIO on the airplane to make money which, through some magical avionics trick, does not interfere with the navigation radios. I contend that whatever shielding they installed to allow this also shields their precious avionics from cell phone signals, iPod signals, WiFi signals on laptops and tablets and baby monitors.
There only interference I've ever experienced in a plane was the "phitt-phitt-phitt" in my headset when my cell phone was trying to connect to a tower, and on rare occasions I have gotten cell service below 5000 AGL.
And it is part of this thread. The thread concerns a ruling that says a business cannot jam or prevent the usage of a hotspot. The airlines have been doing this for years. It doesn't matter whether or not the hotspot will work on an airplane. If I had a hotspot that would work on a plane, I would not be able to use it, but I would be able to buy service from the airline. So, once again, my question. Does this ruling apply to the airlines?
Yuppers, tell a pilot the airline has put an "radio" that is always on in the aircraft and watch his reaction!
Is it a radio or not? Is it always on? What were the pilots' reactions when they discovered this?
The point is that we're told that cell phones can't be used aboard aircraft because they interfere with the navigation of the plane. We're supposed to just buy this at face value and comply. Then the airlines stick this huge RADIO on the airplane to make money which, through some magical avionics trick, does not interfere with the navigation radios. I contend that whatever shielding they installed to allow this also shields their precious avionics from cell phone signals, iPod signals, WiFi signals on laptops and tablets and baby monitors.
There only interference I've ever experienced in a plane was the "phitt-phitt-phitt" in my headset when my cell phone was trying to connect to a tower, and on rare occasions I have gotten cell service below 5000 AGL.
And it is part of this thread. The thread concerns a ruling that says a business cannot jam or prevent the usage of a hotspot. The airlines have been doing this for years. It doesn't matter whether or not the hotspot will work on an airplane. If I had a hotspot that would work on a plane, I would not be able to use it, but I would be able to buy service from the airline. So, once again, my question. Does this ruling apply to the airlines?
