[SIERA] BPL vs. Hams

[Dick Young]

This mornings USA today, while not necessarily well known for their accurate reporting, has an interesting report entitled "PROPOSED RULES PIT 'HAMS' VS, BROADBAND NET USERS".

"Regulators are set to pass new rules to limit radio interference by emerging services that offer broadband over electric power lines, but the curbs are not likely to appease ham radio operators.

The 'hams' say widespread rollout of BPL could be a virtual death knell for their beloved hobby because the service often emits radio waves on the same channels they use.  The problem is that electric wires are not shielded and data, which travel in energy waves, can easily disrupt other services.....

...There are about 700,000 hams in the USA.  FCC and utility officials say their concerns are overstated.

A recommendation made by the FCC would afford the greatest protection to the radio networks of the Coast Guard and trans-oceanic flights, FCC officials say.  Electric companies offering high-speed internet service would have to refrain from using any frequencies reserved for these vital communications services.

Ham radio hobbyists sought the same safeguards, saying they should not have to wrangle with utilities every time they hear static....

...Current rules bar unlicensed radio emitters, such as utilities, from disrupting licensed ones, such as hams.  But the meaning of 'harmful' interference is debated."

The above just kinda highlights the full article.  But you get the idea.

The FCC will have their way with us.  What strikes me is that the article makes hamming sound like a hobby, and a hobby only.  Apparantly  Apparantly we have done a less than superior job of pronouncing the serious side (backup communications in emergencies) associated with amateur radio.

Would seem the handwriting is on the wall.  Maybe 'graffiti' is a better word.