[CW] BPL

[Ken Brown]

A recent feature on the ARRL web site is: Amateur Radio Facilitates 
Dramatic Rescue at Sea. And today there is the feature: "It Seems to 
Us..." Harmful Interference". Both are well written. The first one shows 
a good example of how Amateur Radio performs a public service, saves 
lives, and cannot be replaced by any other technology *. The second is a 
clear explanation of how trial BPL systems are already violating federal 
and international law. The tie in between these two articles is obvious 
to HF radio operators. It may not be so obvious to people unfamiliar 
with HF radio communications. How about an article addressing the 
question "What if BPL systems had been operating in the neighborhoods of 
the Amateurs who provided the communications for the Fingolfin?" It 
seems to me there would have been loss of life.

DE N6KB

* I maintain that even if satellite communications systems, or automated 
commercial HF systems were economically feasible for for small yachts, 
they would not be reliable on a  partially disabled craft, and could not 
replace Amateur HF communications.