[ARC5] Broadband over Power Lines
Todd Bigelow - PS
[email protected]
Thu, 14 Aug 2003 16:13:48 -0400
David Stinson wrote:
>Frankly- I think BPL is going to get limited adoption,
>especially in areas too far removed for DSL lines.
>There's simply more money in the BPL lobby than in the
>hobby radio lobby.
>
Precisely why I have complained for years to those who insist on viewing
and referring to Amateur Radio as a 'hobby' primarily. Regardless of the
fact that we're permitted to use it as such most of the time and there
is less demand for emergency comms, it was (and last I knew, still is)
referred to as the 'Amateur Radio SERVICE'. I've been involved with the
service end of it for many years through ARES (briefly), MARS, and
RACES. I've been the State RACES Director for nearly ten years and have
had great success in shedding good light on and gaining support for ham
radio as a result. I enjoy this aspect of radio, and it would be nice if
more users out there would see it as such. We wouldn't have anywhere
near the issues of trying to convince the gov't and business that we
really do provide a service and, therefore, wouldn't be seen as so
'disposable'. Approach it as a selfish, self-serving hobbyist and you'll
be quickly dismissed in such matters as BPL. Prove that you provide a
service during times of emergency that is *extremely* cost effective to
governent (and therefore, the taxpayers) and you'll see how differently
they respond. Works really well with tower issues and other matters
along these lines. Of course, you really need to be doing it, not just
claiming to.
> Money talks, public good walks.
>"Gorrilla" action, denying reliablity to BPL service
>or submission and an end to our hobby will be the only
>alternatives. Not that I advocate lawbreaking, mind you...
>(ahem...)...
>
I rather doubt that outside users will have much impact on BPL. However,
if it somehow gets put through and accepted, the very *least* we should
do is flood the FCC and gov't in general with complaints. Again, if
presented as someone's business or livelihood interfering with your
'hobby', chances aren't good of action. If presented as a denial of
service and compromise of emergency communications used locally and for
Homeland Security purposes, I suspect it would be handled better.
It's not at all a case of 'money' over 'public good'. More accurately
it's a case of perceived 'need' over 'convenience'. The real approach
here shouldn't be one of trying to defeat a business from interfering
with your hobby, it should be one of keeping a consumer service already
provided elsewhere in different venues from interfering with a public
service 'need'. The power compaines will represent this as a need to
provide service to those in need and cast it as more important than
protecting an obsolete hobby. If we represent ourselves merely as
consumers wanting to enjoy our "right" to a hobby, don't we actually
reinforce their argument?
Or perhaps it's too late already and we've cut off our collective nose
to spite our face - by representing the amateur radio *service* as
nothing more than a *hobby*, with the resulting arguments based on
cellphones, satellites, etc. etc....
Just a differening view with the same goal in mind -
de Todd/'Boomer' KA1KAQ