[SixClub] BPL

[Joseph Schroeder]

Hey, guys:

All the postings I've read from you regarding BPL sound like you 
think it's a done deal; it isn't!

What the FCC's done is to issue a NOTICE OF PROPOSED RULEMAKING 
(NPRM) which is just what it sounds like, a PROPOSAL...

Whenthe NPRM's actually publlished (probably Monday or Tuesday) it 
will have a Comment Due Date (usually 90 days or more) which is your 
window to register your protests... to the FCC, not your 
Congressperson.

After the Comment period ends you can then file Reply Comments, 
supporting or rejecting other filed Comments (which are all available 
on the web for your review).

Then -- and only then -- will the FCC issue a Report and Order 
accepting (with or without modification) or rejecting their proposal 
described in their initial NPRM.

So what's all that mean? It means the Fat Lady ain't sung yet, so 
don't start posting your rigs on eBay!

During over 50 years in Amateur Radio, nearly that long as a licensed 
pilot, a lifetime in the communications industry, and as a current 
Civil Air Patrol Communications Officer operating in the SHARES 
program, I've seen my various worlds of interest "on the brink of 
destruction" more times than I can remember... and I'm somehow I'm 
still on the air and flying.

We have a lot of allies, both in and out of government, in the anti 
BPL fight. If this BPL thing does survive (and I am not convinced it 
will... and certainly not in the broad form it's been proposed) it 
may likely be so tempered that we may never know it's there!

What to do? Study the NPRM carefully, then file reasoned, rational 
non-threatening Comments with the FCC in the format they require. 
Give your on-going support to ARRL, AMSAT and the other organizations 
that are fighting it at the higher echelons... and yes, cross your 
fingers and pray!

73, Joe/W9JUV
-- 

Joseph Schroeder
Box 406
Glenview, 	IL 60025
jjschroederjr@earthlink.net
(847) 657-6500