[GreenKeys] FCC Submission

[George B. Hutchison]

GreenKeyers - - -

Here are my comments to the FCC. Too simplistic, perhaps, but it might get
their attention in a small way.

George, W7KSJ

To: The Commission:

The desire to supply the benefits of the internet to all is commendable.
The American people are already taxed through various
surcharges on telephone bills for this purpose.

I believe your enthusiasm for employing the nation's electrical
power distribution system for Broadband Over Power Lines (BPL) is
erroneous and ill-conceived. It will most assuredly result in increased
costs for providers, and thus consumers, as providers seldom fail to pass
expenses on to the consumer.

Interference for a great number of public and private radio services
will surely result if the concept is permitted to expand and grow in scope
and allowable power levels of BPL distribution devices are
permitted to be increased beyond what the experimental levels are at this
time.

Also, please bear in mind that only the energy required to DISTRIBUTE the
service has been the forefront of consideration. What amount of power will
it take AT THE CONSUMER'S LOCATION to get his keyboard entries and
requests BACK to the provider?? If there are ten thousand consumers each
allowed one watt, and all ten thousand hit "enter" at the same time, you
have a ten kilowatt burst of energy being released back into the system.

The power distribution system is at best imperfect. Telephone lines
and cable signals are either reasonbly well-shielded or balanced in order
to minimize radiated interference. They are not subject to corrosion or
deterioration due to weather.

Not so for power lines. A corroded connection point can rectify signals
and thus create a plethora of frequencies well-removed from those which
are supposedly cleanly passing through the connection. These unwanted
signals can easily occupy frequencies and thus interfere with radio
services in decidedly different parts of the radio spectrum. The potential
for an RF Nightmare is evident.

The commission has issued hundreds of thousands of licenses to
services in the HF spectrum which are served on a "primary" basis, which
in essence guarantees that said services will be protected from
interference by other services. Could it not be said that the commission
would be contradicting itself by permitting BPL and its almost certain
broad-spectrum "radio noise" to subordinate the non-interference policy?

Once upon a time the Commission removed the 27 megahertz band from
the Amateur Radio Service and Awarded it to the Citizen's Band
Service, and required licenses, regulations, etc., to control the CB
service. But, it got away, and the Commission ultimately threw up its
hands and gave up, as it became uncontrollable. Is it possible that BPL is
another of those great ideas that looks so good on the drawing board, yet
will become a monster once it is unleashed?

Why not consider distributing electrical power over the cable
infrastructure? A whole new industry could be created, and Comcast
Toasters would be the envy of the neighborhood.

I think not. Please strongly consider leaving power distribution to the
power companies, and leave broadband distribution to those with the
properly SHIELDED facilities. I sincerely believe millions of
Americans would be most appreciative.

Respectfully Submitted,

George B. Hutchison
Amaterur Radio W7KSJ
General Radiotelephone PG-14-6033