[SixClub] BPL

Sun, 15 Feb 2004 13:10:49 -0600

Thanks, Chris... BUT I still don't take the doomsday approach that 
it's a done deal.

First of all, until we see the actual NPRM we have no idea what 
effect -- if any -- all those objections to the NOI may have had on 
it.

Second, I suspect that the Commissioners felt obligated to follow the 
NOI with an NPRM, no matter what the results of the NOI were.

So... I'll reserve further discussion on BPL until I've digested 
what's actually in the NPRM.

Regarding 220 MHz, you may recall that 220-225 MHz was a shared 
allocation, which meant our being there was tenuous at best. I wrote 
an editorial on that subject for Ham Radio Magazine at the time, 
pointing out that having Amateur Radio as the sole -- and thus 
"permanent" -- occupant of a major part of the 5 MHz allocation was 
better than living under the threat that all or part could be taken 
away from us with little or no notice.

That piece of insight brought a lot of response, mostly favorable, 
but a few "You're a traitor to our beloved hobby and I'm burning all 
my Ham Radio Magazines when I get done writing this!" and worse type 
letters arrived as well. As the band seems now (and I am trustee of a 
222 MHz repeater) it is certainly not overloaded with activity in 
northeastern Illinois (Chicago area), and that seems to be the case 
in most areas. The bottom line is the three MHz wide band is now 
ours, not a gleam in someone else's eye.

Let's see what the fat lady has to say...

73, Joe/W9JUV

>Joe,
>first, they did the NOI (Notice of Inquiry)...a lot of people 
>(including FEMA, DHS, DOD and ARRL as well as 5000+ amateurs) said 
>"NO!! DON'T DO IT!!" so what did the FCC do???
>
>They came out with the NPRM..........so you tell me what this looks 
>like...can you hear the train a coming?? You think they give a damn 
>about amateurs when there is money to be made in their pockets from 
>the power companies wanting to do BPL because they have to pay for 
>upgrading their obsolete electrical systems??? (think about that?) 
>you think power companies who do not have the manpower NOW to 
>cut/remove RFI/TVI from their shoddy distribution lines (which 
>causes noise all over the HF spectrum and well into the TV 
>channels), cares about interference to hams and some TVs that aren't 
>on cable???
>
>I respect your opinion Joe, BUT think about it...
>Been here, seen it............we have all seen this before.......and 
>this train will not be derailed........I agree reasoned, non anger 
>type comments will be best.....but look what happened with 
>220-222....
>lots of good comments filed there....the FCC didn't care....money 
>talks......and the rest loses..
>
>
>Chris
>WB5ITT
>Former Comm office CAP
>(builder of the 1st HiBird aeronautical rptr in Texas)
>Telecom/Broadcast engineer for 25+ years
>
>Joseph Schroeder wrote:
>
>>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
>
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>
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Joseph Schroeder
Box 406
Glenview,	IL 60025
[email protected]
(847) 657-6500