[ARRL-OK] BPL Interference to Ham Radio

Fri, 4 Jul 2003 13:11:18 -0500

Here's what I sent, feel free to add your words to it and use what you
choose in your comments to the FCC

73 Mark Conklin N7XYO
OK SEC-PIC

Power lines alone do affect the Amateur Service Bands.  Adding a signal over
the power lines will add interference with the Amateur Service Bands. BPL
[Broadband Over Power Lines] and also called PLC [Power Line Carrier] must
not be allowed to come into service.  In additions to being a great hobby
(enjoyed by 700,000 in the US) the Amateur Service Bands are also used in
times of emergency and disaster by both national and local agencies to
assist in communication during the emergency.  This service is relied on by
emergency planners and managers as a primary back up means of communication.
BPL & PLC will interfere with the Amateur Service Bands, and limit it's
ability to assist their communities in time of need.

----- Original Message ----- 
From: "Eddie Manley" <[email protected]>
To: <[email protected]>
Sent: Friday, July 04, 2003 11:07 AM
Subject: [ARRL-OK] BPL Interference to Ham Radio

> 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!
>
>
> _______________________________________________
> ___________________Information __________________________
> ARRL Oklahoma Section Manager - John Thomason, WB5SYT [email protected]
> Oklahoma Section Web page http://members.cox.net/arrl-ok
> ______________________________________________________
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