[ARRL-OK] BPL Interference to Ham Radio

[Eddie Manley]

From: Eddie Manley - KD5JGB
Asst Section Manager

FOR YOUR IMMEDIATE ATTENTION:
BROADBAND INTERNET ON POWER LINES [BPL]

The FCC has asked for COMMENTS on their proposal to allow extended
access in Part 15 of the rules.  This is to allow power [electric]
companies to broadcast high-speed internet signals over existing power
lines.   This technology is called BPL [Broadband Over Power Lines] and
also called Power Line Carrier [PLC].   The NOTICE of INQUIRY to allow
this new method of transmission, and was issued May 23, 2003 by the FCC
The COMMENT period closes July 7, 2003.  So, as you can see, we do not
have much time to comment.

Reason for our concern � we believe that BPL poses significant
interference potential to HF and low VHF spectrum use between 2 and 80
MHz.   Power lines carrying this signal can, and could, act as an
antenna � broadcasting their high speed internet signal � transmitting
RF where it doesn't belong � into your radio.   Entire communities will
be affected, so every amateur in any affected area could have the
radiating system on their power lines close to home.

Tests of BPL are under way in several states.  The potential for
interference to amateur radio operation's is real, and where BPL has
been deployed in other counties the results of interference complaints
are real.   Please take the time to understand BPL and TAKE ACTION NOW!

Read the ARRL web page on this at <www.arrl.org/tis/info/HTML/plc/> and
comment to the FCC on ET Docket No 03-104.   The FCC is now accepting
electronically filed comments via its Electronic Comment Filing System
<www.fcc.gov/cgb/ecfs>    Under their main links, click on "Submit a
Filing"   In the "Proceeding" field, enter "03-104" and compete the
required fields.   Comments may be typed into a form or you may attach a
file containing your comments.  There is also a mailing address for
those wishing to file by postal mail � Federal Communications
Commission, 445 12th Street SW, Washington DC, 20554 � Send a Cover
Page, or Transmittal Letter, along with your original and 4 copies.

There are several good articles explaining BPL further.  On the ARRL
Home Page, mentioned above, and in the July 2003,  CQ Magazine, Fred
Maia � W5YI has written an excellent critique.  You can view this at
<www.cq-amateur-radio.com/>

Act on this quickly, as the cut off is July 7th..   Our THANKS to those
who take the time to protect amateur radio!