- Reaction score
- 4,233
- Points
- 1,160
Thucydides mentioned that, like most CF members, he is less than expert* on spectrum issues and he's a bit dazzled by the technology.
The points that CF members, all Canadians, indeed, need to remember are:
1. The spectrum is a finite natural resource, which all, civil and military, friend and foe alike are obliged to share;
2. The definition of successful spectrum management is that all those who need to use the spectrum may do so without causing or suffering harmful interference;
3. Electromagnetic waves (or particles (photons) if you prefer that theory) obey the laws of physics - even the ones we don't yet understand - but have no respect for human laws, including borders;
4. The military is nearly completely dependent on spectrum for tactical operations because tactical operations are almost always mobile - at sea, in the air or moving across the ground;
5. Large sectors of the economy depend, to varying degrees, on spectrum for their success; and
6. The International Radio regulations which govern spectrum use for all constitute a treaty that Canada has signed and which it is bound, by international law, to obey. (Odd as it may seem seem almost all
countries, even those as contemptuous of international law as Russia and America, take the International Radio regulations very seriously - failing to do so invites chaos.)
The point is that technology (or money if you want to get right down to brass tacks) can solve most spectrum issues. But, because spectrum management is a large scale (global) and highly technical issue, the solutions can be slow in coming. Further: just because you have a radio doesn't mean using it is either necessary or even a good idea. Further still: just because someone with a couple of stars demands more bandwidth or more information doesn't mean she or he needs it, nor does it mean that making more bandwidth available is a good idea.
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* In my experience and opinion the handful of spectrum experts in the whole country have both advanced degrees in engineering physics and considerable, relevant field experience. There are exceptions that prove the rule: DND's top spectrum manager, the director for many years, had a second class BA, and one of Canada's top international spectrum negotiators had a PhD, but it was in sociology ... sociology?!? Both surrounded themselves with the best engineering physics graduate they could find and then focused their own attentions on the policy and process issues.
The points that CF members, all Canadians, indeed, need to remember are:
1. The spectrum is a finite natural resource, which all, civil and military, friend and foe alike are obliged to share;
2. The definition of successful spectrum management is that all those who need to use the spectrum may do so without causing or suffering harmful interference;
3. Electromagnetic waves (or particles (photons) if you prefer that theory) obey the laws of physics - even the ones we don't yet understand - but have no respect for human laws, including borders;
4. The military is nearly completely dependent on spectrum for tactical operations because tactical operations are almost always mobile - at sea, in the air or moving across the ground;
5. Large sectors of the economy depend, to varying degrees, on spectrum for their success; and
6. The International Radio regulations which govern spectrum use for all constitute a treaty that Canada has signed and which it is bound, by international law, to obey. (Odd as it may seem seem almost all
countries, even those as contemptuous of international law as Russia and America, take the International Radio regulations very seriously - failing to do so invites chaos.)
The point is that technology (or money if you want to get right down to brass tacks) can solve most spectrum issues. But, because spectrum management is a large scale (global) and highly technical issue, the solutions can be slow in coming. Further: just because you have a radio doesn't mean using it is either necessary or even a good idea. Further still: just because someone with a couple of stars demands more bandwidth or more information doesn't mean she or he needs it, nor does it mean that making more bandwidth available is a good idea.
_____
* In my experience and opinion the handful of spectrum experts in the whole country have both advanced degrees in engineering physics and considerable, relevant field experience. There are exceptions that prove the rule: DND's top spectrum manager, the director for many years, had a second class BA, and one of Canada's top international spectrum negotiators had a PhD, but it was in sociology ... sociology?!? Both surrounded themselves with the best engineering physics graduate they could find and then focused their own attentions on the policy and process issues.