SpaceX says DISH takeover of 12 GHz band could render Starlink useless

By Gabe Rodriguez Morrison
The 12 GHz spectrum could interfere with SpaceX's Starlink service
The 12 GHz spectrum could interfere with SpaceX's Starlink service
RVTravel

SpaceX Subsidiary, Starlink and its rapidly expanding orbital satellite network might be impaired by the DISH Network Corporation’s use of 12GHz for ground-based broadband use.

SpaceX CEO Elon Musk, has escalated his response to DISH Network’s efforts to secure licensing for the 12 GHz band.

Musk initiated actions with the Federal Communications Commission, challenging the use of the 12 GHz band by DISH Network Corporation, stating that such use would render Starlink “unusable.”

Musk has asked Starlink subscribers and supporters to petition the FCC to block the DISH Network effort to secure licensing for the 12 GHz band. Over 3,000 Starlink supporters have joined the effort thus far.

“If DISH’s lobbying efforts succeed, our study shows that Starlink customers will experience harmful interference more than 77% of the time and total outage of service 74% of the time, rendering Starlink unusable for most Americans,” SpaceX stated.

Starlink also posted a statement about the potential 12 GHz band interference on its website:

“Despite technical studies dating back as far as 2016 that refute the basis of their claims, DISH has attempted to mislead the FCC with faulty analysis in hopes of obscuring the truth. The 12 GHz band has become one of the most important and intensively used spectrum bands for Americans who depend on satellite services, including Starlink users who rely on 12 GHz to download content. However, DISH Network has been attempting to claim new rights to the 12 GHz band, implying that these new rights would have no impact on existing users.”

SpaceX wrote a letter to the FCC containing additional details regarding the potential 12 GHz band interference.

Tesla Adds New UI When FSD Camera View is Obstructed

By Not a Tesla App Staff
@juztenough

On October 26, Tesla’s VP of AI, Ashok Elluswamy, announced that the company would soon release a fix for multiple warnings when FSD is degraded due to obstructed cameras. This update, part of FSD 12.5.6.2, addresses feedback from Tesla drivers, like X user TGWoodsy, who pointed out that these repeated alerts can be distracting, especially during bad weather.

FSD 12.5.6.2 started rolling out to employees on November 5th and was soon replaced with another update, version 12.5.6.3, a few days later. With FSD 12.5.6.3 now rolling out widely to AI4 vehicles, we have our first look at Tesla’s improved warning system.

Tesla went the extra mile here; they didn’t just reduce the FSD warnings but introduced a whole new interface that offers clearer, more specific information on which cameras are obstructed and actionable steps to improve visibility.

Warning

In previous versions, Tesla’s FSD would occasionally display a generic “degraded” warning whenever camera visibility was impacted, especially by rain, snow, or dirt. These warnings could trigger multiple alerts in quick succession, leading to audible notifications that were more distracting than helpful.

In FSD 12.5.6.3, Tesla has revamped this approach. Instead of repeatedly notifying drivers of degraded visibility, the system now provides a similar warning message that shows which camera’s visibility is limited and states that Autopilot features may be limited.

New Alert with Tips

@juztenough

In addition to the warning message, Tesla now displays an alert in the bottom left corner of the UI for Model 3 and Model Y owners that could be swiped away.

This notification gives you some additional information on why Autopilot may be degraded. It looks like Tesla stopped using the term FSD in these alerts and is now using “Autopilot,” hinting that this feature will also be available for regular Autopilot use. This new notification gives you a tip on how to improve camera clarity and even displays a thumbnail of the camera that’s obstructed.

This notification also has a View button that can be tapped to display more information about the camera or cameras that are obstructed.

Detailed View

Tesla has also added an option to view more in-depth information on the obstruction, allowing users to identify which specific camera is impacted and exactly where it’s located on the vehicle. By tapping “View,” drivers can open a detailed modal next to the FSD visualization. This pop-up displays a diagram of the vehicle and highlights the obstructed camera in question. This can be especially useful if it’s one of the front-facing cameras.

Tesla vehicles with Hardware 3 (HW3) have three front-facing cameras, while those with Hardware 4 (HW4) include two. The detailed view outlines the location of the obstructed cameras and shows a larger view of the obstructed camera, giving users a better idea of why it may be obstructed.

This detailed UI isn’t limited to front cameras alone—it’s expected to cover all the exterior cameras, which vary between seven and eight depending on the Tesla model.

This visual aid will be incredibly useful, as not all drivers may be familiar with where the repeater or B-pillar cameras are located.

This Year’s Most Creative Cybertruck Halloween Decorations for Trunk or Treat

By Karan Singh
Not a Tesla App

The Cybertruck has now celebrated its first Halloween, and owners did not disappoint in coming up with clever and unique decorations for their stainless steel trunk. Make sure you’ve got whatever is left of your candy nearby cause we’re going in.

Aliens

Up in the hero image to get us started - the Cybertruck is really a piece of alien technology. At least, that’s how it appears when it first arrives in town. So, why not celebrate the alien-ness of the Cybertruck to North American roads? We love it.

Spooky

@jayvee10x over on X put together this fantastic display for Halloween and included their Cybertruck! The Cybertruck would definitely be a good vehicle of choice to take on zombies and walking skeletons.

By @jayvee10x.
By @jayvee10x.
@jayvee10x

Halo

TeslaKen over on the Cybertruck Owner’s Club forums put together this outstanding Cosplay of Master Chief from Halo, and wrapped up his Cybertruck to look like a Warthog. Probably one of the coolest costumes we’ve seen so far.

By TeslaKen on the CT Owners Club
By TeslaKen on the CT Owners Club
TeslaKen

Jaws

Sometimes, all you need to do to get a scare is to show some nice sharp teeth. The smoke machine just completes the look with the red glow.

Fangs!
Fangs!
Not a Tesla App

More Aliens

Terry Stach and Robert Martin captured some aliens in their trucks. Best to keep an eye on these ones, lest they whisk you away in their Cyber-UFO. Just watch out though, because @brandtsla over on X is being chased by that UFO!

Terry Stach over on Facebook.
Terry Stach over on Facebook.
Terry Stach

Cyberbeast Cerberus

The Cyberbeast’s logo is the three-headed hound that guards the gates of hell - Cereberus. Turns out that S.E. Robinson let the dogs out. Our favorite, all things said. Maybe a smoke machine and some red lights to complete the look though! Oh wait, he’s got that too!

The Cybertruck makes an incredible canvas for Halloween decorations, and we’re eager to see even more creative ideas emerge as it heads into its second Halloween season next year.

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