The ARRL Letter
Vol. 23, No. 25
June 18, 2004
[The ARRL has weighed in on behalf of Iowa amateur and ARRL member Jim
Spencer, W0SR, of Cedar Rapids, who has suffered severe broadband over
power line (BPL) interference for more than two months. A formal complaint
to FCC Enforcement Bureau Chief David H. Solomon calls on the Commission
not only to order Alliant Energy's BPL field trial system to shut down but
to fine the utility $10,000 for violating the Communications Act of 1934
and FCC Part 15 rules. Alleging "ongoing harmful and willful interference
to one or more licensed radio stations," the ARRL asked Solomon to
intervene "on an emergency basis." ]


http://www.uplc.utc.org/index.v3page?p=44489

http://www.uplc.utc.org/file_depot/0...der/33324/UPLC
%20Comments%205_3_2004.pdf

Power companies are in full denial! (Just saying it doesn't make it true.)
If you believe what's being said by UPLC, I have some great land to sell you
in Florida, and a wonderful bridge investment in New York. (When did the BPL
interference spectrum drop to 1.7 MHz ??)

ak

- - - - - - - - - - - - - - THE UPLC
STORY - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
SUMMARY
The UPLC generally supports the FCC's initiative to develop rules that will
support the deployment of broadband over power line systems that will help
achieve President Bush's goal of universal affordable broadband access by
2007.1 The President supports the development of technical standards for BPL
towards that goal.2 Utilities and technology providers are poised to meet
this ambitious goal and the UPLC appreciates the strong support of the FCC
in its BPL proceedings.

The UPLC believes that the definition of Access BPL is potentially
over-inclusive and should be slightly revised. The UPLC supports the
proposal to retain the existing emission limits at the present time,
recognizing that the FCC is proceeding cautiously, even though it has found
that the interference potential from BPL is low.

Before the Federal Communications Commission
Washington, D.C. 20554
In the Matter of Carrier Current Systems, including Broadband over Power
Line Systems
ET Docket No. 03-104
ET Docket No. 04-37
Amendment of Part 15 regarding new requirements and measurement guidelines
for Access Broadband over Power Lines Systems
COMMENTS OF THE UNITED POWER LINE COUNCIL

Pursuant to Section 1.415 of the Federal Communications Commission ("FCC")
Rules, the United Power Line Council ("UPLC") hereby submits its comments in
response to the Notice of Proposed Rule Making in the above referenced
proceeding.3 The UPLC supports the proposal to retain the existing emission
limits at this time, and suggests only slight changes to the operational
limits proposed for Access BPL systems, as well as the proposed definition
of Access BPL. Finally, the UPLC supports the proposed measurement
guidelines, which will produce consistent and repeatable results that
demonstrate compliance with the Part 15 rules. The UPLC heartily thanks the
FCC for its support in developing these rules, which strike a very
conservative and pragmatic.

.. . . .

The UPLC is dismayed by the misinformation accepted as gospel by opponents
of Access BPL systems. Despite apocalyptic predictions that "BPL is a
Pandora's box of unprecedented proportions", the UPLC agrees with the FCC
that Access BPL devices will not cause the power lines to "act as countless
miles of transmission lines all radiating RF energy along their full
length."6 These opponents have produced no scientific evidence to show
otherwise, and all the measurements in the field contradict their abstract
calculations. The industry continues to test and to address these concerns
with licensees in areas where systems have been deployed, but there needs to
be a rule of reason when it comes to allegations of BPL interference, and
the UPLC applauds the FCC for making that message clear in this proceeding.

Definition of Access BPL
The proposed definition of Access BPL systems should be narrowly tailored to
apply only to systems used to provide broadband access to the customer
premises. As such, the UPLC recommends this slightly revised version of the
FCC's language in the NPRM: Access Broadband over power line (Access BPL): A
carrier current system that transmits high frequency (1.7 MHz) radio
frequency energy by conduction over electric power lines owned, operated, or
controlled by an electric service provider for the purpose of delivering
broadband data services. The electric power lines may be aerial or
underground, but do not include power lines within the customer premises or
in riser conduit within buildings. Access BPL does not include power line
carrier systems, as defined in Section 15.113 of the Commission's rules.

.. . . .