A Little Background on RF: Why It’s Musk’s Bread and Butter

RF, or radio frequencies, are the invisible waves that make modern life possible. Local broadcasters use it to beam free TV into your home, while Starlink and cell towers use it to send data across the globe. Even Musk’s rockets use RF to communicate with Earth and keep the Mars dream alive.

Here’s something to consider: The FCC controls how RF is allocated, which means Musk’s shiny satellites and your trusty TV channels are all vying for space on the same invisible highway. With Carr in charge, expect the FCC to favor innovative tech (read: satellites) over “old-school” broadcasting, potentially shrinking the slice of RF pie reserved for local stations. (The Verge)

What About Starlink’s Role in All This?

Starlink, Musk’s satellite internet service, has been a game-changer for rural broadband. It uses high-frequency RF bands to beam internet from space, helping people in underserved areas access the web. But it’s also received hefty government subsidies to do so—because what’s a billionaire’s empire without a little taxpayer help, right? (Benzinga)

Now, as Musk steps into his government role, Starlink’s success is more closely tied to FCC policies than ever. If the agency fast-tracks spectrum reallocations to benefit satellite services, local broadcasters could find themselves playing second fiddle to Musk’s space-age ambitions. (The Verge)

How This Affects West Michigan Cord-Cutters

Let’s bring it back down to Earth—specifically, West Michigan, but not limited to. Here’s what all this could mean for everyone living in the United States:

1. Channel Availability: If the FCC reallocates more RF to satellite services, local stations could be forced to shift frequencies. That means more rescans for you, and potentially fewer channels overall. This would come at a time when local antenna broadcasting is at its historical peak for cord-cutters who already made the switch. 22.75 million people currently use an antenna in the U.S. (Nielsen)

2. Signal Interference: With more RF traffic coming from satellites and Starlink-powered cell service, over-the-air broadcasts could face more interference. While broadcasters will do their best to adapt, it might not always be a smooth ride.

3. ATSC 3.0 to the Rescue?: Many local stations are adopting ATSC 3.0, the next-gen broadcasting standard that offers better signal quality, mobile compatibility, and interactive features. Check if your TV is ATSC 3.0-ready to stay ahead of the game.

4. Internet Competition: On the flip side, Starlink’s expansion could bring faster, more reliable internet to rural areas. That’s a win for many, but it could also tilt the balance away from free, over-the-air TV as more people turn to streaming.

Musk’s Long Game: Mars, RF, and Government Efficiency

Let’s not forget: Musk’s ultimate goal isn’t just better internet or deregulated airwaves—it’s Mars. Every dollar Starlink generates (from you, rural subscribers, and those juicy government grants) is helping fund SpaceX’s mission to send humans to the Red Planet.

Musk can’t afford chaos on the RF spectrum; it’s the backbone of his entire operation. That means he’ll tread carefully to keep the FCC functional enough to protect the RF he needs. But local broadcasters? They might not be as high on his priority list. So, don’t expect PBS to be a local broadcast on the red planet. But let’s hope it remains broadcasting here on Earth.

How to Stay Prepared

• Rescan Occasionally: As local stations shift frequencies to make room for new RF demands, keep your antenna setup up-to-date by rescanning for channels periodically. If you have not rescanned in the last year, now is a good time to do so.

• Keep an Eye on Starlink: If you live in a rural area, Starlink might be a great internet option—but don’t let it replace your free TV setup just yet. You still need an antenna to get local broadcasting and national networks like ABC, NBC, CBS, FOX, and PBS, to name a few.

Final Thoughts: Is Local TV Safe?

While Musk is unlikely to “shut down” the FCC, his influence over RF and deregulation could have big implications for local TV broadcasting. His ambitions are geared toward getting boots on Martian ground. He needs FCC regulation to work in his favor so he can keep his radio transmissions intact with his rocketry and crew. But he may not care much about local broadcasting. If he proposes a streamlined restructure to shut down local broadcast towers, and run it all through his Starlink service as he is currently testing with satellite-to-cell phones, then we’re all at risk for being slaves to the megastructure Musk is creating. Imagine one single person having full control of not just the internet, but your cell phone and TV broadcasting. Is Musk positioning himself to push out all competition? Who’s to say just yet? For now, West Michigan stations are holding their own, but the game is changing fast.

In a recent statement, President-elect Donald Trump, while giving a big thumbs-up to his new FCC Chairman Brendan Carr, said, “He (Brendan Carr) will end the regulatory onslaught that has been crippling America’s Job Creators and Innovators, and ensure that the FCC delivers for rural America.” Now, here’s the question: Is Trump talking about fixing the painfully slow internet in rural areas, removing obstacles in Musk’s way, or doubling down on the OTA broadcasts that helped bring his rural voters to the polls? Perhaps they all should tread lightly. After all, they wouldn’t want to bite the hand(s) that feeds them, would they?

Stay tuned, stay informed, and as always, keep your antennas pointed to the skies. You never know what’s coming next—whether it’s your favorite channel or Musk’s latest Mars mission. 🚀