Fw: [NLRS] BPL Comments

[Jeff Wilaby]

----- Original Message ----- 
From: "Jeff Wilaby" <jwill@chartermi.net>
To: "Steven Huntsman" <k0sdh@arrl.net>
Sent: Wednesday, April 28, 2004 9:09 PM
Subject: Re: [NLRS] BPL Comments


>    Hi Steve,
> I wanted to comment on your posting about power companys using BPL to
> control remote devices. I work for an electric utillity and we use power
> line carrier at 12.5 kHz to control remote devices not BPL , no one I know
> is using BPL for any control aplications. Secondly , have you or anyone
you
> know had to tangle with a power company about RFI issues? It's like
pullimg
> teeth to get some power companys to respond and fix the problem due to
> cutbacks in personel or services. Notice I said "some power companys" not
> all fit in the pulling teeth catagory. And lastly, I have attended
meetings
> about BPL and most compays fall into one of two groups. One group wants
jump
> right into BPL and milk the new "cash cow" the other group is a wait and
see
> type. My fear is that alot of these power companys are going to jump right
> in and put BPL into service once they see the next guy doing it. Thus a
> flood of BPL companys will be formed all adding into the RFI problem.
> Meanwhile the HF band will suffer and all the while the FCC  is getting
> smaller due to cutbacks in funding. I think you get the picture, lots of
> interference, lots of complaits being filled with the FCC and the FCC
itself
> finding fewer people to handle the problem. I think that BPL should not be
> put into service untill they prove that BPL can co-exist without
interfernce
> to other licensed radio services.Then and only then should it be used on a
> wide scale, unfortunately I dont think that will be the case.
> Thanks for the bandwidth,73s  Jeff KA0ZYD
> ----- Original Message ----- 
> From: "Steven Huntsman" <k0sdh@arrl.net>
> To: <k1zz@arrl.org>
> Cc: <k0q@arrl.org>; <W0ZQ@aol.com>; <nlrs@mailman.qth.net>
> Sent: Tuesday, April 27, 2004 11:14 PM
> Subject: [NLRS] BPL Comments
>
>
> Dear Mr. Sumner,
>
> 'Our challenge now is to ensure that we be informed and sensible stewards
> of this planet and all its life.'  Dr. Dixy L. Ray, 1990, "Trashing The
> Planet" p. 18.
>
> I have read your comments regarding BPL at the site referred in the
> e-mail below. Furthermore I have followed the discussions of BPL in 'QST'
> and related sources; most authored by people whose intent, I believe, is
> to be honest and well-meaning.
>
> I also believe that the ARRL and its proponents are making a one-sided,
> political style, presentation of the topic for the following reasons;
>
> 1.  BPL is a new and developing technology which means that today's
> hardware is more sophisticated than yesterday's and tomorrow's will be
> more so that today's; any testing of hardware performed more than a short
> time ago was using obsolete hardware (the BPL equipment).
>
> 2. BPL also implements spread-spectrum technology and the software is in
> a process of development.
>
> 3  The power companies have dealt with RF generation problems almost
> since the beginning of power lines.  They know that interference to any
> licensed radio service has always been and will continue to be illegal.
>
> 4.  Japan has recently granted permission for testing of new technology
> BPL equipment; this  is ignored in ARRL presentations
>
> 5.  Power companies are already using techniques like BPL for sending
> control signals over their line networks.   Electric meter reading is
> also being performed by BPL technique in some areas.
>
> 6. Power companies have huge investment in infrastructure and therefore
> have been and will continue to be quite conservative in adopting any new
> technology.  Anything new will have to be economically feasible, legal
> and not detrimental to their public relations.
>
> 7.  At least one BPL equipment manufacture can demonstrate the ability to
> notch out multiple interference points within its spectrum or band of
> transmission.  That is fundamental to spread spectrum technology.
>
> In summary I request that the ARRL make a more balanced and informed
> presentation of all aspects BPL technology.   Cooperation with the power
> industry could be greatly beneficial to all concerned, i.e. try first for
> a win-win solution.   To many decisions on issues affecting our country
> and its people are made without all the facts; sort of  'shoot from the
> hip style.'  (see "Trashing The Planet")
>
> Steven Huntsman, K0SDH
> Burnsville, MN (suburb of Minneapolis)
>
> = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = =
> = = = = =
> Quoting W0ZQ@aol.com:
>
> > Check out the Leagues request for a mass response with respect to
> President
> >
> > Bush's recent comments on BPL here in Mpls yesterday.
> >
> > http://www.arrl.org/tis/info/HTML/plc/cta/
> >
> > I plan to respond as requested and encourage that all NLRS members do as
> > well.   Check out the link.
> >
> > 73, Jon
> > W0ZQ
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>
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