Welcome Back To The Wireless Messaging News

Don't miss the news about “New FAA regulations require towers under 200′ to be marked.”

This regulation will have a major impact on anyone who has a radio tower between 50 feet and 200 feet (above 200 feet was the former requirement for marking). Thanks to Barry Kanne for the heads-up.

There is also an important report in the Inside Towers newsletter about the hysteria surrounding RF radiation.

Why do I include music videos in most of these newsletters?

Because we are not monolithic. Yes readers of this newsletter are interested in Paging, Text Messaging, and related technologies, but we all have other interests as well.

Remember: “All work and no play, makes . . .”

We need your help. This is the only remaining news source dedicated to information about Paging and Wireless Messaging.

Emergency Radio Communications Wireless Messaging Critical Messaging Two-way Radio Technology Telemetry Science Paging Wi-Fi

Wireless Messaging

NO POLITICS HERE

This doesn't mean that nothing is ever published here that mentions a US political party—it just means that the editorial policy of this newsletter is to remain neutral on all political issues. We don't take sides.

A new issue of the Wireless Messaging Newsletter is posted on the web each week. A notification goes out by e-mail to subscribers on most Fridays around noon central US time. The notification message has a link to the actual newsletter on the web. That way it doesn’t fill up your incoming e-mail account.

There is no charge for subscription and there are no membership restrictions. Readers are a very select group of wireless industry professionals, and include the senior managers of many of the world’s major Paging and Wireless Messaging companies. There is an even mix of operations managers, marketing people, and engineers — so I try to include items of interest to all three groups. It’s all about staying up-to-date with business trends and technology.

We are having a cold spell in Southern, Illinois

I regularly get readers’ comments, so this newsletter has become a community forum for the Paging, and Wireless Messaging communities. You are welcome to contribute your ideas and opinions. Unless otherwise requested, all correspondence addressed to me is subject to publication in the newsletter and on my web site. I am very careful to protect the anonymity of those who request it.

TIME TO HUDDLE UP

Let's get together and share ideas. Our competitors are not other paging companies, they are other technologies.

I spend the whole week searching the Internet for news that I think may be of interest to you — so you won’t have to. This newsletter is an aggregator — a service that aggregates news from other news sources. You can help our community by sharing any interesting news that you find.

Editorial Opinion pieces present only the opinions of the author. They do not necessarily reflect the views of any of advertisers or supporters. This newsletter is independent of any trade association. I don't intend to hurt anyone's feelings, but I do freely express my own opinions.

Service Monitors and Frequency Standards for Sale

Motorola Service Monitor

IFR Service Monitor

Efratom Rubidium Standard

(Images are typical units, not actual photos of items offered for sale here.)

Subscribe Here

IT'S FREE

* required field

Advertiser Index

Specialists in sales and service of equipment from these leading manufacturers, as well as other two-way radio and paging products:

		Motorola SOLUTIONS
	WE ARE STILL STOCKING AND SELLING THE UNICATION ELEGANT PAGERS Contact us for price and availability please

Passive Audio Amps For Smart Phones

The rest of the Passive Audio Amps For Smart Phones page has been move to a separate page.
TAKE ME THERE.

Several different styles are available.

New FAA regulations require towers under 200′ to be marked

JULY 8, 2019 BY GENERAL AVIATION NEWS STAFF

New FAA regulations require landowners to mark any towers between 50′ and 200′ on their property, as well as include the towers in a new database the FAA is developing.

Previously, towers under 200′ were not subject to any federal marking requirements, according to officials with the National Agricultural Aviation Association.

The new requirements are due to provisions in the FAA Extension, Safety and Security Act of 2016 and the FAA Reauthorization Act of 2018.

Under the provisions in these laws, meteorological evaluation towers (METs) meeting the requirements stipulated in the bills must be both marked and logged in to the FAA database. Communication towers of the same size have the option to be either be marked or logged in the FAA database.

The FAA Reauthorization Act of 2018 requires this database to be functional by October 2019. The FAA is also finalizing the marking requirements for these towers, but they are expected to be similar to the standards found in FAA Advisory Circular 70/7460-1L.

Officials with the National Agricultural Aviation Association encourage landowners to preemptively mark their towers and voluntarily log towers on their property into the FAA’s Daily Digital Obstacle File (Daily DOF). The Daily DOF is an obstacle database that contains mostly obstructions above 200′, with obstructions below 200′ submitted on a voluntary basis. The Daily DOF gives an obstruction’s location, height, and type of marking (if any). Information on the tower’s owner or property owner is not asked for or publicly given.

Association officials note that since 2008 there have been 22 tower-related agricultural aircraft accidents resulting in nine fatalities. The number of accidents and fatalities is even higher when other low-level operations, such as EMS-Medevac operations, are included.

An NAAA analysis of accidents from 2008 to 2018 across all sectors of general aviation found there were 40 tower-related accidents and incidents resulting in 36 fatalities. The data also shows many of those general aviation aviators did not collide with the main body of the obstruction itself, but the extremely difficult to see guy wires supporting the structure, illustrating the importance of installing high-visibility guy wire sleeves or spherical ball markers, officials said.

Unmarked meteorological evaluation towers must now be marked under new federal requirements. The arrow points out the almost invisible guy wires that pose such a risk to general aviation pilots.

North Dakota farmer and aerial applicator Brian Rau has a 96′ RTK tower on his property. Short for “real time kinematic,” RTK towers supplement the GPS systems of automated ground-based farm equipment.

As an aerial applicator, Rau knows the importance of having such towers both marked and logged into appropriate FAA databases, regardless of legal requirements. He added florescent ball markers within the structure’s skeleton soon after it was converted from a communications tower to an RTK tower. This year Rau took the additional step of providing the coordinates of his tower to the FAA’s Obstacle Data Team for inclusion in the Daily DOF.

“Seeing the growth of communication towers in North Dakota and across the county, I knew it was important to both mark and properly log the tower,” Rau said. “Submitting the tower to be included in the FAA’s Daily Digital Obstacle File only took minutes and was well worth a few moments of my time.”

From a safety perspective, being transparent about the existence of low-level obstacles is vital to agricultural pilots and other aircraft flying in the airspace between zero and 400′, such as police and first responder aircraft, aerial firefighters and pipeline patrol pilots, NAAA officials said.

The FAA’s Digital Obstacle File (DOF) provides information about potential obstacles in pilots’ flight path before they take off. Once pilots download the FAA’s Digital Obstacle File or Daily DOF, they can import it into Geographic Information Systems applications, such as agricultural aviation applications.

FAA Advisory Circular 70/7460-1L on obstruction marking and lighting details the ways different types of obstructions may be marked. The document provides specifications on lighting systems, colors and light intensities. As an alternative to lighting, the document also explains tools for the “unlighted marking” of obstructions. This includes paint colors and patterns, as well as specifications for guy wire sleeves and high-visibility spherical markers.

Rau chose the latter option for marking his RTK tower.

“The ball markers seemed the easiest for an existing galvanized tower, and they really improved the visibility of the tower,” he said.

“Aerial applicators have been at the forefront of ensuring a safe airspace for low-flying pilots for years,” said NAAA Executive Director Andrew Moore. “We encourage farmers, landowners and tower companies to familiarize themselves with the dangers of unmarked, low-level towers. Towers in and around productive farmland may prevent a crop from being treated by air if it is too difficult or unsafe for an Ag pilot to treat. As such, due consideration must be given to locating any type of tower on Ag land. If a tower’s construction is imminent or already exists, it is highly encouraged that preemptive compliance with the forthcoming FAA regulations required by Congress occur.”

In addition to the human cost, a precedent has been established increasing the likelihood that landowners and tower manufacturers could be held financially liable for tower-related accidents, officials said.

In 2014, a milestone court settlement was reached when a group of defendants representing tower manufacturing, wind energy, land-owning and farming interests agreed to pay $6.7 million to the family of agricultural aviator Steve Allen to settle a wrongful death action brought against the tower entities for failing to mark a 197′ meteorological evaluation tower or make Allen aware of its location prior to his fatal collision with the tower in 2011. From eyewitness accounts, it was clear Allen never saw the unmarked tower before he struck it.

Landowners and farmers can submit an obstruction to the FAA’s Daily Digital Obstacle File by emailing the tower’s height and coordinates to 9-AJV-532-OBSTData-REQ@faa.gov.

Paging Transmitters 150/900 MHz

The RFI High Performance Paging Transmitter is designed for use in campus, city, state and country-wide paging systems. Designed for use where reliable simulcast systems where RF signal overlap coverage is critical.

• Commercial Paging systems.
• Healthcare Paging systems.
• Public Safety Emergency Services Paging systems.
• Demand Response Energy Grid Management.

Built-in custom interface for Prism-IPX ipBSC Base Controller for remote control, management and alarm reporting.

• Use as a stand-alone unit or in wide area network.
• Mix with other transmitter brands in an existing paging network.
• Adjustable from 20-250 watts.
• 110/240 VAC or 48VDC.
• Absolute Delay Correction.
• Remote Diagnostics.
• Configurable alarm thresholds.
• Integrated Isolator.
• Superb Reliability.
• Improved amplifier efficiency.
• Most reliable high-powered paging transmitter available.

Prism-IPX Systems LLC.

11175 Cicero Dr., Alpharetta, GA 30022
Ph: 678-242-5290 Email: sales@prism-ipx.com
prism-ipx.com

Back To Paging

Still The Most Reliable Protocol For Wireless Messaging!

If you are reading this, your potential customers are reading it as well. Please click here to find out about our advertising options.

Licensed Adobe Stock Image

Providing Expert Support and Service Contracts for all Glenayre Paging Systems.

The GL3000 is the most prolific paging system in the world and Easy Solutions gladly welcomes you to join us in providing reliable support to the paging industry for many more decades in the future.

Easy Solutions provides cost effective computer and wireless solutions at affordable prices. We can help in most any situation with your communications systems. We have many years of experience and a vast network of resources to support the industry, your system and an ever changing completive landscape.

• We treat our customers like family. We don’t just fix problems . . . We recommend and implement better cost-effective solutions.
• We are not just another vendor . . . We are a part of your team. All the advantages of high priced full-time employment without the cost.
• We are not in the Technical Services business . . . We are in the Customer Satisfaction business.

Experts in Paging Infrastructure

• Glenayre, Motorola, Unipage, etc.
• Excellent Service Contracts
• Full Service—Beyond Factory Support
• Making systems More Reliable and MORE PROFITABLE for over 30 years.

Please see our web site for exciting solutions designed specifically for the Wireless Industry. We also maintain a diagnostic lab and provide important repair and replacement parts services for Motorola and Glenayre equipment. Call or  e-mail  us for more information.

GLENAYRE INFRASTRUCTURE

Service Contracts

I would like to recommend Easy Solutions for Support of all Glenayre Paging Equipment. This Texas company is owned and operated by Vaughan Bowden. I have known Vaughan for over 35 years. Without going into a long list of his experience and qualifications, let me just say that he was the V.P. of Engineering at PageNet which was—at that time—the largest paging company in the world. So Vaughan knows Paging.

GTES is no longer offering support contracts. GTES was the original group from Vancouver that was setup to offer support to customers that wanted to continue with the legacy Glenayre support. Many U.S. customers chose not to use this service because of the price and the original requirement to upgrade to version 8.0 software (which required expensive hardware upgrades, etc.). Most contracts ended as of February 2018.

If you are at all concerned about future support of Glenayre products, especially the “king of the hill” the GL3000 paging control terminal, I encourage you to talk to Vaughan about a service contract and please tell him about my recommendation.

SUBSCRIBE HERE

• Broadcast Services over the Internet for Corporate Communications
• Seeking Parties for Live Response Applications on Smartphones
• Click here for more information

The Wireless Messaging News
Board of Advisors

The Board of Advisor members are people with whom I have developed a special rapport, and have met personally. They are not obligated to support the newsletter in any way, except with advice, and maybe an occasional letter to the editor.

Can You Help The Newsletter?

You can help support The Wireless Messaging News by clicking on the PayPal Donate button above. It is not necessary to be a member of PayPal to use this service.

Newspapers generally cost 75¢ $1.50 a copy and they hardly ever mention paging or wireless messaging, unless in a negative way. If you receive some benefit from this publication maybe you would like to help support it financially?

A donation of $50.00 would certainly help cover a one-year period. If you are wiling and able, please click on the PayPal Donate button above.

July 1, 2019

FREEDOM Joins Astronics Test Systems

Freedom Communication Technologies, a leading provider of radio test solutions for the public safety and commercial Land Mobile Radio (LMR) market, announced today that it has joined Astronics Corporation as a part of its Test Systems division. Peter J. Gundermann, Chairman, President and Chief Executive Officer of Astronics commented, “FREEDOM is a leader in wireless communications testing, primarily for the civil land mobile radio market. Their market focus and technology complements those we already have, and together, we will offer a broader range of test solutions to an expanded market. The acquisition gives us a stronger market position in the radio test arena, a strong brand for our offerings and a larger addressable market. We are excited to expand our test capabilities and to bring FREEDOM on board with our Test business.” Ricardo Viloria, FREEDOM President and Chief Executive Officer said, “We are thrilled to join the Astronics team. Their extensive technology...

Kansas City

Premium Newsletter Supporter

Premium Newsletter Supporter

Canyon Ridge Communications

Premium Newsletter Supporter

ProPage Inc.

Newsletter Supporter

Metropolitan Communications

Newsletter Supporter

e*Message Wireless Information Services Europe

Newsletter Supporter

Lekkerkerk, Netherlands

Newsletter Supporter

Purchased an acoustic amplifier. Says it is awesome.

Donate to have your company's logo added.

Incyte Capital Holdings LLC
Dallas, Texas

Premium Newsletter Supporter

Le Réseau Mobilité Plus
Montreal, Quebec

Newsletter Supporter

Communication Specialists

Newsletter Supporter

Cook Paging

Premium Newsletter Supporter

MethodLink

Premium Newsletter Supporter

Citipage Ltd.
Edmonton, Alberta

Newsletter Supporter

Click on the image above for more info about advertising here.

Who We Are

Prism-IPX is a leader in providing reliable communications systems using modern designs to meet today’s demands for critical message alerting and delivery. Prism-IPX designs versatile and robust Critical Message Management systems using paging and other wireless technologies for high performance and dependable communications.

What We Make

Prism-IPX Systems products include full-featured radio paging systems with VoIP input, IP based transmitter control systems and paging message encryption. Other options include e-mail messaging, remote switch controllers, Off-The-Air paging message decoders and logging systems.

Contact Us  

The last macOS Mojave update is nearly ready for public launch

BY BUSTER HEIN • 11:07 AM, JULY 15, 2019

     Photo: Apple

The handful of developers still beta testing macOS Mojave instead of macOS Catalina were treated to a brand new beta build in the form of macOS 10.14.6 today.

This is the fifth beta of macOS 10.14.6 which adds a host of new bug fixes and performance improvements to the Mac before Apple goes all-in on macOS Catalina this fall.

Registered developers can download macOS 10.14.6 beta 5 from the Apple developer portal. It can also be installed through the Software Update options in the Apple menu on your Mac if you have the previous beta installed.

macOS 10.14.6 beta 5 comes just one week after Apple seeded the previous beta to developers along with iOS 12.4 beta 6 that brings Apple Card support to iPhone. The software update doesn’t contain any major UI changes or new features and mostly focuses on under-the-hood changes.

This will likely be the last macOS Mojave update before Apple moves onto macOS Catalina. Developers have already received three beta builds of macOS Catalina this summer. That update contains some huge improvements, like Project Catalyst which lets developers port their iPad apps to the Mac. It also lets you use an iPad as a secondary display on some Macs and brings some updated apps with it too.

Apple is expected to release the last macOS Mojave update this summer while macOS Catalina is set to launch to the public this fall.

Click on the image above for more info about advertising here.

Internet Protocol Terminal

The IPT accepts Internet or serial messaging using various protocols and can easily convert them to different protocols, or send them out as paging messages.

An ideal platform for hospitals, on-site paging applications, or converting legacy systems to modern protocols.

Additional/Optional Features

• Database of up to 5000 subscribers.
• 4 serial ports on board.
• Up to 8 phone lines (DID or POTS).
• Can be configured for auto-fail-over to hot swap standby.
• 1RU rack mount unit appliance—no moving parts.
• Easily secure legacy system messages leaving site for HIPAA compliance.
• Only purchase the protocols/options you need.
• Add Paging Encryption for HIPAA compliance on site.

Prism-IPX Systems LLC.

11175 Cicero Dr., Alpharetta, GA 30022
Ph: 678-242-5290 e-mail: sales@prism-ipx.com
prism-ipx.com

Paging Data Receiver PDR-4

The PDR-4 is a multi-function paging data receiver that decodes paging messages and outputs them via the serial port, USB or Ethernet connectors.

Designed for use with Prism-IPX ECHO software Message Logging Software to receive messages and log the information for proof of transmission over the air, and if the data was error free.

• Option—decode capcode list or all messages.
• Large capcode capacity.
• Serial, USB and Ethernet output.
• POCSAG or FLEX page decoding, special SA protocols.
• Receivers for paging bands in VHF, UHF, 900 MHz.
• Message activated Alarm Output.
• 8 programmable relay outputs.
• Send notifications of a system problem.

• Synthesized Receiver Tuning.
• Selectivity better than 60 dB.
• Frequencies 148-174, 450-470, 929-932 MHz.
• Image Rejection better than 55 dB.
• Spurious Rejection better than 55 dB.
• Channel Spacing 12.5 or 25 kHz.
• Power 5VDC.
• Receiving Sensitivity 5µV at 1200 bps.

Prism-IPX Systems LLC.

11175 Cicero Dr., Alpharetta, GA 30022
Ph: 678-242-5290 e-mail: sales@prism-ipx.com
prism-ipx.com

Wireless Network Planners
Wireless Specialists

R.H. (Ron) Mercer Consultant 217 First Street East Northport, NY 11731
Telephone: 631-786-9359
www.wirelessplanners.com
wirelessplannerron@gmail.com

Windows 10 update — Your PC is braced for a huge new Microsoft feature

WINDOWS 10 is braced for an update that will introduce a huge new Microsoft feature and here is what fans have to look forward to.

By JOSEPH CAREY PUBLISHED: 06:30, Tue, Jul 16, 2019 | UPDATED: 07:19, Tue, Jul 16, 2019

Microsoft typically releases two substantial Windows 10 updates every year (Image: Microsoft)

Windows 10 is Microsoft’s computer operating system that was recently granted a cavalcade of fresh features following the release of the May 2019 Update.

Chief of these is a new programme dubbed Windows Sandbox that has been specifically engineered to allow users to test “untrusted” programmes.

The May 2019 Update also introduces a light theme, separates Cortana from Search and alters how the software manages storage.

Microsoft typically releases two new substantial Windows 10 updates every year, meaning it is anticipated the American tech giant will debut another upgrade before 2019 is over.

The next Windows 10 update for 2019 has the codename 19H2 and has been said to deliver "performance improvements, enterprise features and quality enhancements" by Microsoft, suggesting it could be more of an iterative update than a substantial overhaul.

Although 19H2 has not released yet, the American tech giant has already started releasing early versions for the first Windows 10 update for 2020, codenamed 20H1.

The latest of which contains a huge new Microsoft feature that could change how users take advantage of the operating system.

Preview build 18936 for the 20H1 update contains a new function that allows users to “go passwordless”, instead prompting them to making use of Windows Hello Face, a fingerprint or a PIN.

Microsoft has insisted those that abandon traditional passwords will benefit from “improved security and a more seamless sign-in experience”.

The tech giant showed an image of the feature in action on its Windows Blog - a space for a traditional password was shown to be replaced by options for a PIN, Windows Hello and biometric sign in.

Discussing the new feature, Microsoft said: “For improved security and a more seamless sign-in experience, you can now enable passwordless sign-in for Microsoft accounts on your Windows 10 device by going to Settings > Accounts > Sign-in options, and selecting ‘On’ under ‘Make your device passwordless’.

“Enabling passwordless sign in will switch all Microsoft accounts on your Windows 10 device to modern authentication with Windows Hello Face, Fingerprint, or PIN.”

Microsoft's 20H1 update looks set to allow users to 'go passwordless' (Image: Microsoft)

It is worth noting while the ability to go passwordless is present in the new preview build, Microsoft has declared the functionality is only “being rolled out to a small portion of Insiders” at the moment, meaning you should not worry if the option is not available on your PC.

The foundation for Microsoft’s new passwordless feature was laid in the May 2019 Update but it seems next year the firm will make an even greater push to move users away from traditional passwords.

Windows 10 version 20H1 is anticipated to release in full during the first half of 2020.

Brad Dye, Ron Mercer, Allan Angus, Vic Jackson, and Ira Wiesenfeld are friends and colleagues who work both together and independently, on wireline and wireless communications projects.

Click here for a summary of their qualifications and experience. Each one has unique abilities. We would be happy to help you with a project, and maybe save you some time and money.

Note: We do not like Patent Trolls, i.e. “a person or company who enforces patent rights against accused infringers in an attempt to collect licensing fees, but does not manufacture products or supply services based upon the patents in question.” We have helped some prominent law firms defend their clients against this annoyance, and would be happy to do some more of this same kind of work.

Some people use the title “consultant” when they don't have a real job. We actually do consulting work, and help others based on our many years of experience.

“If you would know the road ahead, ask someone who has traveled it.”
— Chinese Proverb

Remote AB Switches

ABX-1 switches are often used at remote transmitter sites to convert from old, outdated and unsupported controllers to the new modern Prism-IPX ipBSC base station controllers. Remotely switch to new controllers with GUI commands.

ABX-1

ABX-3 switches are widely used for enabling or disabling remote equipment and switching I/O connections between redundant messaging systems.

ABX-3

Common Features:

• RJ45 for A, B and Common connectors.
• Manual push button or use Prism IP commands to switch one or more relays.
• Single or Dual Port Control card for IP or Serial connection.
• Form C relay—control local connection.
• Power Loss Indicator.
• Rear Panel Connector for controlling the switch externally.
• Power Source: 5VDC for ABX-1; 12VDC for ABX-3.

Prism-IPX Systems LLC.

11175 Cicero Dr., Alpharetta, GA 30022
Ph: 678-242-5290 e-mail: sales@prism-ipx.com
prism-ipx.com

New York Times 7/16 Story: “The 5G Health Hazard That Isn’t”

“How one scientist and his inaccurate chart led to unwarranted fears of wireless technology.” — NY Times

Artwork by Cara Aston
for Inside Towers

A New York Times story that ran Tuesday took a rare stance that is seldom seen by the tower community: a look at the hysteria surrounding RF radiation. (Ed: The Times piece featured similar artwork as you see above recreated in the same style by the Inside Towers art department). The story stated that, back in 2000, the negative effects of EMF exposure may have been completely wrong. The Times says results were both “misinterpreted and failed to take crucial facts into account” like the extraordinary shielding power of skin. Radio frequencies, like sunlight, do not penetrate beyond this protective barrier.

A chart accompanying the article places the 5G emissions within the radio wave spectrum, falling well below airport scanners but higher than broadcast television. Worries about cell phones causing brain cancer are not supported by these later findings and re-evaluation of the data. While the 5G signal is slightly higher than older cell phones, the lack of danger remains the same.

How did the original report come to its conclusion, and how did that spread with such ferocity? The author of the initial investigation, Dr. Bill P. Curry, placed his findings on a graph and extrapolated that with higher frequencies came higher dangers. Higher frequencies are actually safer than lower EMF frequencies, conclude today's experts on the biological effects of electromagnetic radiation. Scientists like NYU professor Christopher Collins confirm that 5G transmission "doesn't penetrate" the skin, which provides a "shielding effect."

Other scientists, like Dr. Marvin P. Ziskin at the Temple University School of Medicine, have spent years researching the effects of high-frequency waves on the body and agree that they do not cause human illnesses. This research, however, runs counter to alarmist websites that continue to provoke readers and repeat falsehoods.

Reports detailing the horrors of EMF exposure continue to circulate despite their authors’ inability to substantiate their claims. As evidence of the safety of cell phone usage, David Robert Grimes, a cancer researcher at the University of Oxford stated, “If phones are linked to cancer, we’d expect to see a marked uptick. Yet we do not.”

Selected portions [sometimes more — sometimes less — sometimes the whole updates] of the BloostonLaw Telecom Update and/or the BloostonLaw Private Users Update — newsletters from the Law Offices of Blooston, Mordkofsky, Dickens, Duffy & Prendergast, LLP — are reproduced in this section of The Wireless Messaging News with kind permission from the firm. The firm's contact information is included at the end of this section of the newsletter.

FCC Announces Availability of Application for Auction 103, Establishes Procedures

On July 11, the FCC issued the final procedures for Auction 103, the incentive auction of Upper Microwave Flexible Use Service (UMFUS) licenses in the Upper 37 GHz (37.6–38.6 GHz), 39 GHz (38.6–40 GHz), and 47 GHz (47.2–48.2 GHz) bands. Auction 103 is the Commission’s third and largest auction of high-band spectrum that is intended to further the deployment of fifth-generation (5G) wireless services, and will sell up to 3400 MHz of spectrum in any given area. Short form applications will be due on September 9, so for interested participants, now is the time to focus on structuring an auction applicant and gathering the necessary application information.

BloostonLaw is available to help clients with assessing the auction, deciding on and implementing an applicant structure, and preparing the participation application. See the full article below for more information.

BloostonLaw Contacts: John Prendergast and Cary Mitchell.

Headlines

FCC Announces Tentative Agenda for August Open Meeting

On July 11, FCC Chairman Ajit Pai announced that the following items are tentatively on the agenda for the August Open Commission Meeting, which is currently scheduled for August 1:

• Establishing the Rural Digital Opportunity Fund: a Notice of Proposed Rulemaking that would propose to adopt a two-phase reverse auction framework for the Rural Digital Opportunity Fund, committing $20.4 billion in high-cost universal service support to bring high-speed broadband service to millions of unserved Americans. (WC Docket Nos. 19-126, 10-90)
• Digital Opportunity Data Collection: a Report and Order that would establish the Digital Opportunity Data Collection, a new data collection that will collect geospatial broadband coverage data from fixed providers, and that would make targeted changes to the existing Form 477 to reduce filing burdens. The Commission will also consider a Second Further Notice of Proposed Rulemaking that would seek comment on enhancing the new data collection, incorporating mobile voice and broadband, and improving satellite broadband reporting. (WC Docket Nos. 19-195, 11-10)
• Promoting Telehealth in Rural America: a Report and Order that would overhaul the Rural Health Care Program by streamlining and simplifying the way health care providers apply for and calculate universal service support amounts, promoting transparency and predictability in the program, and taking new steps to guard against waste, fraud, and abuse. (WC Docket No. 17-310)
• Streamlining Licensing Procedures for Small Satellites: a Report and Order that would a new, optional streamlined application process designed for a class of satellites referred to as “small satellites.” (IB Docket No. 18-86)
• Kari’s Law/RAY BAUM’S Act Report and Order: a Report and Order that would address calls to 911 made from multi-line telephone systems, pursuant to Kari’s Law, the conveyance of dispatchable location with 911 calls, as directed by RAY BAUM’S Act, and the consolidation of the Commission’s 911 rules. (PS Docket Nos. 18-261, 17-239)
• 833 Toll-Free Number Auction: a Public Notice that would adopt the procedures for the auction of certain toll-free numbers in the 833 code. (AU Docket No. 19-101; WC Docket No. 17-192; CC Docket No. 95-155)
• Improving Low Power FM Radio Service: a Notice of Proposed Rulemaking that would modernize the LPFM technical rules to provide more regulatory flexibility for licensees. (MB Docket No. 19-193, 17-105)
• Implementation of Section 621: a Third Report and Order that would address issues raised by a remand from the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Sixth Circuit concerning how franchising authorities may regulate incumbent cable operators. (MB Docket No. 05-311)
• Anti-Spoofing Rules: a Second Report and Order that would amend its Truth in Caller ID rules to implement the anti-spoofing provisions of the RAY BAUM’S Act. (WC Docket Nos. 18-335 and 11-39)

Please note, the links included in the descriptions of these items are to public drafts that are not final and may differ from what the FCC ultimately considers.

Open Meetings are streamed live at www.fcc.gov/live and can be followed on social media with #OpenMtgFCC.

BloostonLaw Contacts: Ben Dickens, Gerry Duffy, and John Prendergast.

FCC Issues Procedures for next 5G Auction; Applications due Sept. 9, Bidding starts Dec. 10

On July 11, the FCC issued the final procedures for Auction 103, the incentive auction of Upper Microwave Flexible Use Service (UMFUS) licenses in the Upper 37 GHz (37.6–38.6 GHz), 39 GHz (38.6–40 GHz), and 47 GHz (47.2–48.2 GHz) bands. Auction 103 is the Commission’s third and largest auction of high-band spectrum that is intended to further the deployment of fifth-generation (5G) wireless services, and will sell up to 3400 MHz of spectrum in any given area. Short form applications will be due on September 9, so for interested participants, now is the time to focus on structuring an auction applicant and gathering the necessary application information. BloostonLaw is available to help clients with assessing the auction, deciding on and implementing an applicant structure, and preparing the participation application.

Auction 103 licenses will be sold as Partial Economic Areas (“PEAs”), as was done for the recent 600 MHz and 24 GHz auctions. While PEAs can consist of a somewhat large territory in rural areas, the FCC is again applying a discount when establishing upfront payments and minimum opening bids for smaller markets, making the auction more affordable for rural carriers. In addition, the FCC will offer small business and rural service provider bid credits (as was done in the past two 5G auctions), thereby discounting the amount of bids submitted by most small and rural applicants. A list of the licenses for sale, along with the upfront payment and minimum opening bid, appears HERE. Bargains may be available, but bidders will also want to be cautious because the market for millimeter wave services – especially in rural areas – has yet to be developed.

The auction will offer licenses for 100 megahertz blocks of spectrum in each PEA through a clock phase and an assignment phase. The clock phase will allow bidding on generic blocks in two categories—one for Upper 37 GHz and 39 GHz, and one for 47 GHz—in each PEA. The clock phase will serve to determine both the winners of generic spectrum blocks and the amount of incentive payments due to those incumbent licensees in the 39 GHz band that opt to relinquish their spectrum usage rights. The assignment phase will allow bidding for frequency-specific license assignments, while ensuring contiguous block assignments within a PEA.

Key dates for Auction 103:

Short-Form Application (FCC Form 175)

Interested clients should contact the firm promptly.

BloostonLaw contacts: John Prendergast, Cary Mitchell, Richard Rubino

FCC Modernizes 2.5 GHz Band for 5G Services

The FCC last week voted to modernize the regulatory framework for the 2.5 GHz Educational Broadband Service (EBS) and to make a significant amount of mid-band spectrum available for advanced wireless services, including 5G. The FCC indicates that the 2.5 GHz band is the single largest band of contiguous spectrum below 3 GHz and offers favorable coverage and capacity characteristics for next-generation fixed and mobile services.

The 2.5 GHz Report and Order (FCC 19-62) provides incumbent EBS licensees greater flexibility by eliminating educational use and EBS eligibility requirements that have been earmarks of the EBS band since the early 1960s. In conjunction with these regulatory changes, the FCC is planning a commercial auction of county-based 2.5 GHz “overlay” licenses for unused EBS spectrum following a brief priority filing window for rural Tribal Nations to acquire all available EBS spectrum on their Tribal lands.

Depending on the level of incumbent EBS licensing in their area of interest, this could potentially be a significant opportunity for our law firm’s clients to obtain rights to 2.5 GHz “white space” spectrum. The revised EBS band plan will include three overlay licenses in each county: the first license will include channels A1-A-3, B1-B3, C1-C3 (49.5 megahertz); the second license will include channels D1-D3, the J channels, and channels A4-G4 (50.5 megahertz); and the third license will include channels G1-G3 and the relevant EBS K channels (16.5 megahertz of contiguous spectrum and 1 megahertz of the K channels associated with the G channel group).

And although the 2.5 GHz NPRM and a circulation draft of the Report and Order proposed not to apply any designated entity preferences to the EBS auction, the item released last week indicates that small business bidding credits of up to 25% will be available for qualified bidders. Alternatively, a 15% rural service provider bidding credit will be available for applicants that serve predominantly rural areas and that have fewer than 250,000 combined wireless, wireline, broadband and cable subscribers.

The exact timing for the 2.5 GHz EBS auction has not yet been announced, but senior FCC officials have indicated the Tribal Priority Window could take place in parallel with the next millimeter wave spectrum auction scheduled to start Dec. 10. That would put the likely start date for a 2.5 GHz EBS auction in early 2020. The exact dates and deadlines for the auction will be set by the FCC in a future Public Notice.

Clients that may be interested in bidding for county-based 2.5 GHz EBS licenses should begin their due diligence now to assess the level of incumbent EBS licensing in their county(ies) of interest. Please contact us if you have any questions or if you want us to assist in evaluating EBS spectrum availability in your areas of interest.

BloostonLaw Contacts: Cary Mitchell and John Prendergast

Law & Regulation

FCC Provides Guidance on A-CAM Deployment Obligations

On July 12, the FCC issued a Public Notice providing guidance and illustrative examples regarding calculation of final deployment obligations associated with Alternative Connect America Model support (A-CAM) and application of the Commission’s support recovery rules in the event that a carrier does not meet its final deployment obligations. Highlights from the Public Notice include:

• Milestones. Milestones must be independently met by deploying the requisite level of service (or better) to at least the specified number of eligible locations. This means that a carrier that has not deployed 25/3 Mbps service to the requisite number of locations will have failed to meet its milestone, even if it has deployed 10/1 Mbps service to a number of locations in excess of its requirements. However, if a carrier deployed 25/3 Mbps service to a number of locations in excess of its requirement, those excess locations could be applied to meet the requirement to provide at least 10/1 Mbps service.
• Five Percent Flexibility. The flexibility to deploy to only 95% of required locations without penalty applies only to deployment obligations associated with fully funded locations. To the extent a carrier takes advantage of this flexibility, it must treat the locations as capped locations. For example, an ACAM II recipient that is otherwise obligated to provide 25/3 Mbps service to 200 eligible locations may use this flexibility to reduce this requirement to 190 locations. The 10 locations not served with 25/3 Mbps are added to the company’s deployment obligations associated with capped locations.
• Recovery Amount. The amount to be recovered by USAC in the event that a carrier fails to meet its milestone is prescribed, in part, as “the percentage of support that is equal to 1.89 times the average amount of support per location received in the state for that carrier over the term of support for the relevant number of locations plus ten percent of the total relevant high-cost support over the support term for that state.” In this instance, the “relevant number of locations” is the total amount by which the company failed to meet its final deployment milestones, as adjusted by the five-percent flexibility. The “average amount of support per location received in the state over the term of support” is the authorized amount of A-CAM support, not including transitional support, divided by the number of eligible locations in funded census blocks. This calculation does not distinguish between fully funded and capped locations, or eligible locations on Tribal or non-Tribal lands. The total relevant high-cost support in this instance is the base amount of A-CAM support, and does not include transitional support for carriers whose A-CAM support was less than their legacy support or CAF-ICC support.

The full Public Notice, with examples, is available here. Carriers with specific questions about A-CAM final deployment obligations should contact the firm for more information.

BloostonLaw Contacts: Ben Dickens, Mary Sisak, and Sal Taillefer.

Bill Introduced to Prohibit Lifting Restrictions on Huawei Equipment

On July 16, Senators Tom Cotton (R-Arkansas) and Chris Van Hollen (D-Maryland), along with Senators Marco Rubio (R-Florida), Mark Warner (D-Virginia), Richard Blumenthal (D-Connecticut), and Mitt Romney (RUtah) introduced legislation that would codify President Trump’s recent Executive Order prohibiting the purchase or use of any communications technology produced by entities controlled by “a foreign adversary” and likely to create an “undue risk of sabotage” of U.S. communications systems or “catastrophic effects” to U.S. infrastructure. The legislation would also prohibit the removal of Huawei from the Commerce Department Entity List without an act of Congress. It also would empower Congress to disallow waivers that any administration might grant to U.S. companies engaged in commerce with Huawei.

“Huawei isn’t a normal business partner for American companies, it’s a front for the Chinese Communist Party. Our bill reinforces the president’s decision to place Huawei on a technology blacklist. American companies shouldn’t be in the business of selling our enemies the tools they’ll use to spy on Americans,” said Cotton.

“The best way to address the national security threat we face from China’s telecommunications companies is to draw a clear line in the sand and stop retreating every time Beijing pushes back. By prohibiting American companies from doing business with Huawei, we finally sent an unequivocal message that we take this threat seriously and President Trump shouldn’t be able to trade away those legitimate security concerns,” said Van Hollen. “This legislation will make sure he doesn’t by codifying the President’s original executive order on Huawei and prohibiting the Administration from relieving penalties on Huawei without the approval of Congress.”

Representatives Mike Gallagher (R-Wisconsin), Jimmy Panetta (D-California), Liz Cheney (R-Wyoming), and Ruben Gallego (D-Arizona) have introduced companion legislation in the House of Representatives.

“Huawei is an appendage of the Chinese Communist Party and should be treated as such,” said Rep. Gallagher. “The President’s actions to protect America’s telecommunications supply chain and restrict the sale of American technology to Huawei were critical steps to protect the future of 5G. It is time we codify these decisions into law and ensure American innovation does not fuel Huawei’s CCP-directed campaign to dominate the global telecommunications market.”

“Huawei is a threat to our international communications and, thus, our national security. This bipartisan legislation prevents compromises of our communications and stops foreign adversaries from benefiting from our ingenuity. It is time for Congress to come together and reassert its authority to protect American business and consumers and the safety of our constituents,” said Rep. Panetta.

Industry

FCC Authorizes Third Round of CAF Phase II Auction Support

On July 15, the FCC issued a Press Release announcing the authorization of over $524 million in funding over the next decade to expand broadband to 205,520 unserved rural homes and businesses in 23 states, representing the third wave of support from last year’s successful Connect America Fund Phase II auction. Providers will begin receiving funding this month. Providers must build out to 40% of the assigned homes and businesses in the areas won in a state within three years. Buildout must increase by 20% in each subsequent year, until complete buildout is reached at the end of the sixth year.

The funding applications approved by the Commission today include the following:

• AMG Technology Investment Group is receiving $281.3 million to deploy service to nearly 100,700 homes and businesses in rural Illinois, Iowa, Kansas, Nebraska, Oklahoma, and Texas, two-thirds of which will get service delivering speeds of 100 Megabit per second downstream/20 Mbps upstream, and the remainder, at 25 Mbps/3 Mbps BLOOSTONLAW TELECOM UPDATE 7 July 17, 2019
• Crystal Automation Systems, Inc. is receiving $27.2 million to deploy service to 17,610 homes and businesses in rural Michigan, most of which will get service delivering speeds of at least 100 Mbps downstream/20 Mbps upstream
• RiverStreet Communications of Virginia, Inc., is receiving $32.1 million to deploy service to 13,518 homes and businesses in rural Virginia at Gigabit download speeds
• California Internet LP is receiving $87.8 million to deploy service to 11,845 rural California and Nevada homes and businesses at speeds of at least 100 Mbps downstream/20 Mbps upstream

A complete list of this round’s authorized bidders can be found here. More information is available on the auction is available at https://www.fcc.gov/auction/903. A map of winning bids is available at https://www.fcc.gov/reports-research/maps/caf2-auction903-results/.

Deadlines

JULY 31: CARRIER IDENTIFICATION CODE (CIC) REPORTS. Carrier Identification Code (CIC) Reports must be filed by the last business day of July (this year, July 31). These reports are required of all carriers who have been assigned a CIC code by NANPA. Failure to file could result in an effort by NANPA to reclaim it, although according to the Guidelines this process is initiated with a letter from NANPA regarding the apparent non-use of the CIC code. The assignee can then respond with an explanation. (Guidelines Section 6.2). The CIC Reporting Requirement is included in the CIC Assignment Guidelines, produced by ATIS. According to section 1.4 of that document: At the direction of the NANPA, the access providers and the entities who are assigned CICs will be requested to provide access and usage information to the NANPA, on a semi-annual basis to ensure effective management of the CIC resource. (Holders of codes may respond to the request at their own election). Access provider and entity reports shall be submitted to NANPA no later than January 31 for the period ending December 31, and no later than July 31 for the period ending June 30. It is also referenced in the NANPA Technical Requirements Document, which states at 7.18.6: CIC holders shall provide a usage report to the NANPA per the industry CIC guidelines … The NAS shall be capable of accepting CIC usage reports per guideline requirements on January 31 for the period ending December 31 and no later than July 31 for the period ending June 30. These reports may also be mailed and accepted by the NANPA in paper form. Finally, according to the NANPA website, if no local exchange carrier reports access or usage for a given CIC, NANPA is obliged to reclaim it. The semi-annual utilization and access reporting mechanism is described at length in the guidelines.

BloostonLaw Contacts: Ben Dickens and Gerry Duffy.

AUGUST 1: FCC FORM 499-Q, TELECOMMUNICATIONS REPORTING WORKSHEET. All telecommunications common carriers that expect to contribute more than $10,000 to federal Universal Service Fund (USF) support mechanisms must file this quarterly form. The FCC has modified this form in light of its recent decision to establish interim measures for USF contribution assessments. The form contains revenue information from the prior quarter plus projections for the next quarter. Form 499-Q relates only to USF contributions. It does not relate to the cost recovery mechanisms for the Telecommunications Relay Service (TRS) Fund, the North American Numbering Plan Administration (NANPA), and the shared costs of local number portability (LNP), which are covered in the annual form (Form 499-A) that was due April 1.

BloostonLaw Contacts: Ben Dickens and Gerry Duffy.

AUGUST 1: FCC FORM 502, NUMBER UTILIZATION AND FORECAST REPORT: Any wireless or wireline carrier (including paging companies) that have received number blocks--including 100, 1,000, or 10,000 number blocks--from the North American Numbering Plan Administrator (NANPA), a Pooling Administrator, or from another carrier, must file Form 502 by August 1. Carriers porting numbers for the purpose of transferring an established customer’s service to another service provider must also report, but the carrier receiving numbers through porting does not. Resold services should also be treated like ported numbers, meaning the carrier transferring the resold service to another carrier is required to report those numbers but the carrier receiving such numbers should not report them. Reporting carriers file utilization and forecast reports semiannually on or before February 1 for the preceding six-month reporting period ending December 31, and on or before August 1 for the preceding six-month reporting period ending June 30. BloostonLaw Contacts: Ben Dickens and Gerry Duffy. AUGUST 1: Live 911 Call Data Reports: Non-Nationwide Providers that do not provide coverage in any of the Test Cities must collect and report aggregate data based on the largest county within its footprint to APCO, NENA, and NASNA on the location technologies used for live 911 calls in those areas. Clients should obtain spreadsheets with their company’s compliance data from their E911 service provider (e.g., Intrado / West).

BloostonLaw Contact: Cary Mitchell.

AUGUST 29: COPYRIGHT STATEMENT OF ACCOUNTS. The Copyright Statement of Accounts form plus royalty payment for the first half of calendar year 2019 is due to be filed August 29 at the Library of Congress’ Copyright Office by cable TV service providers.

BloostonLaw Contact: Gerry Duffy.

SEPTEMBER 3: FCC FORM 477, LOCAL COMPETITION AND BROADBAND REPORTING FORM. Normally due September 1, this year’s filing falls on a federal holiday weekend, pushing the deadline back to the next business day. Four types of entities must file this form:

1. Facilities-based Providers of Broadband Connections to End User Locations: Entities that are facilities-based providers of broadband connections – which are wired “lines” or wireless “channels” that enable the end user to receive information from and/or send information to the Internet at information transfer rates exceeding 200 kbps in at least one direction – must complete and file the applicable portions of this form for each state in which the entity provides one or more such connections to end user locations. For the purposes of Form 477, an entity is a “facilities-based” provider of broadband connections to end user locations if it owns the portion of the physical facility that terminates at the end user location, if it obtains unbundled network elements (UNEs), special access lines, or other leased facilities that terminate at the end user location and provisions/equips them as broadband, or if it provisions/equips a broadband wireless channel to the end user location over licensed or unlicensed spectrum. Such entities include incumbent and competitive local exchange carriers (LECs), cable system operators, fixed wireless service providers (including “wireless ISPs”), terrestrial and satellite mobile wireless service providers, MMDS providers, electric utilities, municipalities, and other entities. (Such entities do not include equipment suppliers unless the equipment supplier uses the equipment to provision a broadband connection that it offers to the public for sale. Such entities also do not include provide of fixed wireless services (e.g., “Wi-Fi” and other wireless ethernet, or wireless local area network, applications) that only enable local distribution and sharing of a premises broadband facility.)
2. Providers of Wired or Fixed Wireless Local Telephone Services: Incumbent and competitive LECs must complete and file the applicable portions of the form for each state in which they provide local exchange service to one or more end user customers (which may include “dial-up” ISPs).
3. Providers of Interconnected Voice over Internet Protocol (VoIP) Service: Interconnected VoIP service is a service that enables real-time, two-way voice communications; requires a broadband connection from the user’s location; requires Internet-protocol compatible customer premises equipment; and permits users generally to receive calls that originate on the public switched telephone network and to terminate calls to the public switched telephone network. Interconnected VoIP providers must complete and file the applicable portions of the form for each state in which they provide interconnected VoIP service to one or more subscribers, with the state determined for reporting purposes by the location of the subscriber’s broadband connection or the subscriber’s “Registered Location” as of the data-collection date. “Registered Location” is the most recent information obtained by an interconnected VoIP service provider that identifies the physical location of an end user.
4. Providers of Mobile Telephony Services: Facilities-based providers of mobile telephony services must complete and file the applicable portions of this form for each state in which they serve one or more mobile telephony subscribers. A mobile telephony service is a real-time, two-way switched voice service that is interconnected with the public switched network using an in-network switching facility that enables the provider to reuse frequencies and accomplish seamless handoff of subscriber calls. A mobile telephony service provider is considered “facilities-based” if it serves a subscriber using spectrum for which the entity holds a license that it manages, or for which it has obtained the right to use via lease or other arrangement with a Band Manager.

BloostonLaw Contacts: Ben Dickens and Gerry Duffy.

SEPTEMBER 30: FCC FORM 396-C, MVPD EEO PROGRAM REPORTING FORM. Each year on September 30, multi-channel video program distributors (“MVPDs”) must file with the Commission an FCC Form 396-C, Multi-Channel Video Programming Distributor EEO Program Annual Report, for employment units with six or more full-time employees. Users must access the FCC’s electronic filing system via the Internet in order to submit the form; it will not be accepted if filed on paper unless accompanied by an appropriate request for waiver of the electronic filing requirement. Certain MVPDs also will be required to complete portions of the Supplemental Investigation Sheet (“SIS”) located at the end of the Form. These MVPDs are specifically identified in a Public Notice each year by the FCC.

BloostonLaw Contacts: Gerry Duffy and Sal Taillefer.

Calendar At-a-Glance

July
Jul. 17 – Letters of Acceptance for A-CAM II Revised Offers are due.
Jul. 19 – Comments on A-CAM Location Discrepancy Resolution are due.
Jul. 22 – Comments are due on Leased Commercial Access NPRM.
Jul. 24 – Comments are due on SHAKEN/STIR NPRM.
Jul. 29 – Comments are due on USF Cap NPRM.
Jul. 31 – Comments are due on Lifeline Minimum Service Standards Petition.
Jul. 31 – Carrier Identification Code (CIC) Report is due.

August
Aug. 1 – FCC Form 502 due (North American Numbering Plan Utilization and Forecast Report).
Aug. 1 – FCC Form 499-Q (Quarterly Telecommunications Reporting Worksheet) is due.
Aug. 1 – Live 911 Call Data Reports from Non-Nationwide Providers are due.
Aug. 5 – Comments are due on VRS Program FNPRM.
Aug. 5 – Reply comments are due on Leased Commercial Access NPRM.
Aug. 15 – Auction 103 Initial Commitment filings are due.
Aug. 15 – Reply comments are due on Lifeline Minimum Service Standards Petition.
Aug. 23 – Reply comments are due on SHAKEN/STIR NPRM.
Aug. 26 – Reply comments are due on USF Cap NPRM.

September
Sep. 3 – FCC Form 477 due (Local Competition and Broadband Report).
Sep. 9 – Short Form Application Deadline for Auction 103.
Sep. 30 – FCC Form 396-C (MVPD EEO Program Annual Report).

MENSA MEMBER

If you are curious about why I joined Mensa, click here .

Brad Dye
P.O. Box 266
Fairfield, IL 62837 USA

CONTACT INFO & LINKS

Skype: braddye
Twitter: @BradDye1
Telephone: +1-618-599-7869
E–mail: brad@braddye.com
Wireless: Consulting page
Paging: Home Page
Marketing & Engineering Papers
K9IQY: Ham Radio Page

Amateur Radio
K9IQY

• ex KN9IQY, KN4BK, KM5NK, WB4JCF, ZP5TQ, WA4VXU, WA9RVL, /TI2, /9Y4, /6Y5, /KP4, HH2FJ
• Licensed FCC Amateur Radio operator since 1957
• Licensed FCC First-Class-Commercial Operator/Engineer since 1964

“Ahoulaguine Akaline”

Live and Learn

I had a minor problem with my computer this week. It's not often that something like that happens because this one is a Mac Pro — the Cadillac of computers (donated by readers). Since it has an extended warranty I finally gave up trying to fix it myself and texted Apple. Got a nice young man on the line who asked a lot of questions and then sent me an e-mail with recommendations about how to fix the problem.

Well . . . I am usually not the greatest at following instructions but this time I did exactly what was recommended even though I didn't think they would work. And guess what? . . . They worked!

Moral of the story:

Computers are a lot like people. We are programed by our DNA (genes) which determines most of our behaviour. If we do something that goes against our own beliefs it produces a conflict — and if not resolved — that conflict produces dysfunctional behaviour. We are products of nurture and nature. I am not sure about the mix but I am leaning more towards nature.

Recommended reading: Behave: The Biology of Humans at Our Best and Worst, by Robert M. Sapolsky, New York Times bestseller.