On Fri, 26 Mar 2004 05:35:02 -0000, Keith wrote:

Consumers Internet Federation Oppose Ham Radio Operators Potential
Interference to BPL

San Francisco, CA - CIF today asked Congress to pass legislation
to protect Broadband over Power Lines (BPL) users from interference
by misguided ham radio operators. The ham radio operators through
email lists and newsgroups are making plans to disrupt the critical
infrastructure of the Internet in a terrorist like movement.
These acts will dramatically impact Internet users'
rights to access to the Internet. Legislation would require
anyone who interferes with a BPL system to immediately cease
all ham radio or CB operations until they no longer interfere
with a BPL users business or home system.
BPL promises Internet users a Broadband Nirvana and is endorsed by
FCC Chairman Michael Powell as a solution to the lack of broadband
choices for consumers.

Pardon me while I barf.

Then again, "interfere" and "interference" have specific definitins
in both national and international communications law which refer to
interruptions of LICENSED communication services.......of which BPL
is most assuredly not.

No one is disputing that BPL is a Part 15 "unintentional radiator"
which is not protected. The dispute is over the level of allowable
signal or noise permitted under rules pertaining to said applications.

--
73 de K2ASP - Phil Kane

From a Clearing in the Silicon Forest
Beaverton (Washington County) Oregon