Re: [LEAPSECS] a system that fails spectacularly

From: Rob Seaman <seaman_at_noao.edu>
Date: Tue, 13 Dec 2005 08:54:36 -0700

I received a prompt reply from Chris Wahler, the Director of
Marketing for ACR Electronics, and I am grateful for his permission
to post the message to the list.

Rob Seaman
National Optical Astronomy Observatory

---
>       From:     cwahler_at_acrelectronics.com
>       Subject:        RE: [LEAPSECS] a system that fails spectacularly
>       Date:   December 12, 2005 11:41:35 AM MST
>
> Hello Rob,
>
> You may post my Email reply on your list. I'm not sure if it helps
> or hurts
> your argument, but go ahead if you like.
>
> We have many products that are regulated by the USCG, FCC, FAA,
> COSPAS-SARSAT, as well as IMO (International Maritime Organization).
> Regulations seem to be forever in a state of flux, and we need to stay
> vigilant in order to keep our products in spec. One thing holds
> true, we
> will not release an update or a new model until it is proven. The
> last thing
> we want to do is rush a software patch to the field that will
> compromise the
> performance of our equipment.
>
> Regards,
>
> Chris Wahler
> Director of Marketing
> ACR Electronics, Inc.
Original reply:
>       From:     cwahler_at_acrelectronics.com
>       Subject:        RE: [LEAPSECS] a system that fails spectacularly
>       Date:   December 8, 2005 2:44:46 PM MST
>
> Dear Rob,
>
> I don't know what to think of your E-mails to John Bell regarding Leap
> Second, but I can tell you that many of your assumptions are
> inaccurate.
>
> We only have a few transponders out of hundreds of products that are
> affected by the Leap Second adjustment. The users of that product
> do not
> speak in terms of UTC, but rather in Course over Ground, Heading,
> Speed, and
> Position. GPS data for their vessel is displayed and transmitted to
> near by
> vessels to enhance navigational safety.
>
> The timing of our announcement, mailings and email blast to registered
> owners of our equipment has nothing to do with our plans to
> implement the
> standard or with our lawyers. Getting information into our users
> hands in a
> timely manor to give us the best chance of compliance is all we are
> trying
> to accomplish. Sure I could have made this announcement in July,
> but why
> would I? There is nothing our users can do until Jan 1st anyway.
> Ultimately
> we need them to perform the task out lined the Technical Bulletin
> on the
> dates prescribed.
>
> I would like to point out that it is the Quality Systems of our
> facility
> that have been registered by UL to the ISO 9001:2000 Series
> Standards not
> our products. We are very proud of that fact. Not many of our direct
> competitors can make that claim.
>
> With all due respect to Mother Earth we are just trying keep our
> customers
> that depend on GPS data safe.
>
> Regards,
>
> Chris Wahler
> Director of Marketing
> ACR Electronics, Inc.
> 5757 Ravenswood Rd.
> Ft. Lauderdale, Fl. 33312-6645

Received on Tue Dec 13 2005 - 07:56:45 PST