[1000mp] Re: [Elecraft] BPL

Fri, 15 Aug 2003 11:34:31 -0500

On Fri, Aug 15, 2003 at 09:13:29AM -0700, [email protected] wrote:
> As I understand it, the Broadband over Power Line (BPL) proposal by the
> electric power companies is an attempt to have the FCC relax the present
> power line radiation limits.  Yet, in the same breath, the electric power
> companies have stated that BPL already is within those limits.  If so,
> then why do they want the limits relaxed?

BPL is a part 15 unintentional radiator.  That is, radiating RF is not 
necessary for the function of the product in question - it is merely an
undesired by-product.  For BPL to work under current Part 15 radiation 
limits (which are already high enough to cause serious interference) the 
amount of power used by the BPL system is low enough that (a) the effective 
bit rate is probably not competitive with DSL or cable modems, and/or (b) 
BPL providers would need to install many, many signal amplifiers on the lines
to keep the bit rate up, which is expensive.  In fact, at current Part 15
regulations, BPL is probably not a profitable venture.

By raising the Part 15 allowable radiation limits, and/or making BPL an 
exception to them, they can use more power, making the data signal travel 
farther on the lines with fewer errors.  Of course, it will cause 
substantially more QRM for anyone using 2-80MHz.  Looking at BPL as an 
"unintentional radiator" is like saying that a cheese grater might be 
"unintentionally leaky" when used as a hose.

> To file your comments on-line with the FCC, go to
> http://gullfoss2.fcc.gov/prod/ecfs/upload_v2.cgi
>  
> The Proceeding number which you should type into box 1 is 03-104.
>  
> The deadline for filing your comments is August 20th.

Absolutely everyone should let the FCC know what they think about this 
today!

-- 
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Kenneth E. Harker      "Vox Clamantis in Deserto"      [email protected]
University of Texas at Austin                   Amateur Radio Callsign: WM5R
Department of the Computer Sciences          Central Texas DX & Contest Club
Taylor Hall TAY 2.124                         Maintainer of Linux on Laptops
Austin, TX 78712-1188 USA            http://www.cs.utexas.edu/users/kharker/
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