Temporary Fixed Earth Station (TFES) Rules

This appendix includes the rules for installers operating Temporary Fixed Earth Station (TFES) systems. In this document, installer refers to a StarBand ® mobile user.

1. All Temporary-Fixed antenna installers must be trained, and must have specifically acknowledged the requirements for Temporary-Fixed satellite transmitting installations. The official FCC designation for these movable VSATs is Temporary Fixed Earth Station (TFES). It is called a Fixed Earth Station, because it is a fixed wireless technology, which only operates from a fixed location. It is temporary, because that fixed location changes, every time you move.
2. Installation is the physical mounting and wiring of the two-way satellite system on a stationary site, in order to prepare for correct operation. The installation and removal of a Temporary-Fixed antenna must only be done by a trained installer.
3. Deployment means the raising, pointing, and orienting of the antenna to the communicating satellite for use, every time it is raised from a stowed position. The deployment of a Temporary-Fixed antenna must only be done by a trained installer.
4. Installers shall install the antennas only in locations that are not readily accessible to children and in a manner that prevents human exposure to potential radiation hazards.
5. The height of the bottom lip of the antenna when fully deployed must be at least five feet above the ground at all times, or five feet above a surrounding surface which a person may easily access.
6. The antenna must be blocked by a suitable rope or other barrier, while the antenna is deployed or in operation, restricting access to within no less than four feet of the antenna. The installer must provide this rope or barrier at the time of installation and use it at all times when the antenna is deployed or in operation. Warning signs shall also be posted on the rope or other barrier warning all persons not to attempt to access the antenna, while it is deployed or in operation.
7. Warning signs shall be posted at prominent locations on the antenna and informing all persons of the danger of harmful radiation from the antenna, while it is deployed or in operation.
8. The antenna may only be operated while it is stationary.
9. The installer must assure that the antenna is stabilized during transmission, to prevent movement of the antenna for any reason, including movement of persons or high winds.
10. Installers shall be liable for all damages, if they fail to comply with the mandatory FCC rules for Temporary-Fixed Earth Stations. This includes, but is not limited to damages caused by improper installation or due to the failure to provide required information to any end user.
11. The installer will be deemed directly liable for any damages resulting from their failure to comply with the above rules. These rules are meant to ensure that extraordinary precautions and measures are used to prevent satellite interference or exposure to harmful radiation.
12. Satellite Mobility Support Network (SMSN) dealers and StarBand ® reserve the right to immediately suspend without liability or previous notice, the operation of the earth station, upon detection of a deviation from its installation or operational requirements, until the deviation is corrected. In addition, SMSN dealers and StarBand ® reserve the right to suspend or cancel the Installer Certificate of any installer that has not fully complied with these installation requirements. StarBand ® imposes a rigorous random alignment test for all VSATS operating on the network. If your system is found to be operating outside the limits, you will be notified and/or shut down, if not corrected immediately.
13. Further, the installer may be directly liable for any damages resulting from any change undertaken, including but not limited to, any modification of any part of the hardware, software, specific operational frequencies, the authorized satellite, or the size or other characteristics of the antenna supplied to them by SMSN dealers and/or StarBand ® .
14. Customers must agree to abide by these rules prior to the installation or use of transportable SMSN dealer and StarBand ® equipment.