[OKDXA] Fw: [Dx-qsl] Stop BPL NOW !!! Important call to action for ALL hams/SWL's

Tue, 07 Oct 2003 16:23:52 -0500

I've already sent something, but here is my latest submission (for all the 
good it will do...):

Broadband over powerlines (BPL) while philosophically attractive, has been 
shown to have disastrous implications for those services already occupying 
the spectrum between 2 and 80 MHz. Implementation of BPL in its current 
form simply must not be allowed to proceed. The interference potential has 
been clearly demonstrated by the American Radio Relay League.

As a pilot, I can only imagine the havoc that would ensue if 
radionavigation signals are corrupted (there are a surprising number of 
radionavigation signals in the upper end of this spectrum). Also, all HF 
services to aviation would be seriously impacted, as HF aviation 
communication is commonly used and could become unusable at any Air Route 
Traffic Control center (ARTCC) near powerlines carrying BPL. Military 
communications in HF could be seriously degraded as well, as would any 
other Government communications that utilize HF, such as FEMA, the National 
Hurricane Center, and many branches of NOAA, to name a few.

Finally, the Amateur Radio Service would be seriously compromised by 
adopting BPL. The utility of the Amateur Radio Service for emergency 
communications would effectively be nullified by BPL. The original Part 15 
regulations that limit unlicensed emmissions never anticipated this sort of 
interference potential, and reliance on that standard by the proponents of 
BPL is at best disingenuous and at worst deceptive.

Kim Elmore, N5OP

At 12:30 PM 10/6/2003 -0500, you wrote:
>Hi ya guys,
>
>Most of you may have already seen this, if so just hit the delete key.
>I filled out the form. Maybe it will help. My electric co-op uses a signal
>on the
>powerline from the meter for my billing and I can receive that freq.
>(5.987).
>
>Bob k5sit 73
>
>----- Original Message -----
>From: "Dave Haney" <[email protected]>
>To: "DX-QSL Reflector" <[email protected]>; "EPARA (Reflector)"
><[email protected]>; "icom reflector" <[email protected]>; "njham
>reflector" <[email protected]>; "nyham reflector"
><[email protected]>; "paham" <[email protected]>
>Sent: Monday, October 06, 2003 9:32 AM
>Subject: [Dx-qsl] Stop BPL NOW !!! Important call to action for ALL
>hams/SWL's
>
>
> > As the moderator for a dozen lists, I fully appreciate the need to stay on
> > topic. The threat of BPL, however, is such a grave danger to our hobby
>that
> > we must all be aware of its consequences and act NOW !
> >
> > http://gullfoss2.fcc.gov/prod/ecfs/upload_v2.cgi
> >
> > Enter: 03-104 in the line that says proceeding.
> > Fill in the necessary information. At the very bottom cut and paste this
> > text.
> > Over 4900 coments as of October 4th, 2003---WE NEED TO DO THIS! ALL
> > OPERATORS
> > SHOULD ENTER THEIR COMMENTS AND PASS THIS ONTO YOUR E MAL
>REFLECTORS/LISTS!
> > Lets get it over 100,000 comments quickly!
> >
>***********************************************************************
> > I am against the use of exposed or open line BPL. BPL poses a serious
> > problem
> > for any user of the HF Spectrum. This would include Amateur Radio
>Operators,
> > Short Wave Listeners, Military and Transportation services. BPL drowns out
> > many AM broadcast stations on the 550 Khz. to 1700 Khz. frequencies. The
> > broadcasters will complain that they are not able to reach the current
> > market with
> > their advertising and programming.
> >
> > For example, in Emmaus, PA, where BPL has been already been placed into
> > service. Many listeners in Emmaus cannot hear KYW AM 1030 kcs. in
> > Philadelphia,
> > running 50,000 watts power. BPL also renders the HF spectrum useless to
> > Amateur
> > Radio Operators within 100 meters of the exposed BPL lines.
> >
> > Currently Cable Services deliver similar services via "Closed Circuit"
> > cables
> > and fiber optics. Leakage of the Cable Services into the HF spectrum are
> > severely dealt with by the FCC. Leakage if BPL into the HF spectrum will
>not
> > even
> > be a violation as open wire cannot suppress leaking of RF. If BPL is
> > permitted, it should be only on shielded and filtered lines, similar to
> > those required
> > by the cable TV industry. RF signals are not supposed to escape from or
> > intrude into the cable TV lines. Radio signals can coexist with cable
> > signals even
> > on the same frequencies. Havoc occurs when signals leak into and out of
>the
> > cables. Are the BPL users going to establich replacements for the current
> > amateur
> > radio emergency communications stations?
> >
> > Currently, we hams frequently contend with noisy electric power lines,
> > hardware, and transformers which interfere with our reception. The FCC
> > requires the
> > electric utilities to repair and clean up those lines. Our local electric
> > utilities, Met Ed and PPL, are very cooperative, compliant, and helpful.
> > Please do
> > not allow any change by allowing "open wire BPL." During emergencies, how
> > will we communicate?
> >
> > Even if BPL is turned off during emergencies, what hams will be left to
> > communicate? They will have quit in disgust, sold their equipment, and
> > dismantled
> > their stations. The FCC must protect the non commercial communications
> > interests that invade the HF spectrum. To damage the HF infrastructure of
> > over 1
> > million licensed amateur radio operators, is to remove the backbone of
> > emergency
> > communications.
> >
> > There are better ways to accomplish the same goal that the power industry
>is
> > seeking. Lets build covered bridges around the problem, not clear the
> > village
> > of all the infrastructure.
> > *************************************************************
>
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                           Kim Elmore, Ph.D.
                        University of Oklahoma
         Cooperative Institute for Mesoscale Meteorological Studies
"All of weather is divided into three parts: Yes, No, and Maybe. The
greatest of these is Maybe" The original Latin appears to be garbled.