From Amateur Radio Newsline 4/16/04

THE BPL FIGHT: SWL'S VS. BROADBAND OVER POWERLINES

Short-wave listeners can complain to the FCC if a Broadband Over
Powerline installation interferes with their reception, but there are
some caveats. Amateur Radio Newsline's Gary Pearce, KN4AQ, has the
rest of the story:

Progress Energy has made a concerted effort to move BPL signals out of
the ham bands in their trial areas near Raleigh, North Carolina. But
the systems, which are governed by FCC Part 15 and are prohibited from
interfering with licensed services, are still radiating signals across
much of the rest of the short-wave spectrum. That's leading
short-wave listeners to ask if they have "standing" to complain to the
FCC, since they don't have licenses themselves.

The - General Council Chris Imlay W3KD says they do, if the BPL
signals are interfering with international shortwave broadcasts from
other countries, but not if they are trying to listen to domestic
shortwave broadcasters. Replying to an e-mail inquiry, Imlay adds that
"One does not have to be a licensee of a transmitter in order to
receive harmful interference."

ARRL Chief Executive Officer David Sumner K1ZZ noted that the US is a
member of the International Telecommunications Union, whose Radio
Regulations require member nations to protect HF communications from
harmful interference.

RR 15.12 reads, "Administrations shall take all practicable and
necessary steps to ensure that the operation of electrical apparatus
or installations of any kind, including power and telecommunication
distribution networks, do not cause harmful interference to a
radiocommunication service operating in accordance with the provisions
of these Regulations."

Reporting for Newsline, this is Gary Pearce KN4AQ, in Raleigh, North
Carolina.

ftp://ftp.arnewsline.org/quincy/News/news.txt

--

The bottom line: If you are trying to listen to Radio Netherlands and
a Broadband Over Powerline installation covers the station up --
complain to the FCC. (KN4AQ, ARNewsline(tm))

(Richard Magdy, Swprograms)

Mike Terry wrote:



The bottom line: If you are trying to listen to Radio Netherlands and
a Broadband Over Powerline installation covers the station up --
complain to the FCC. (KN4AQ, ARNewsline(tm))

(Richard Magdy, Swprograms)

Absolutely, let the complaints begin so the FCC will understand just how
bad BPL is going to affect the HF spectrum.

Mike Terry wrote:

From Amateur Radio Newsline 4/16/04

THE BPL FIGHT: SWL'S VS. BROADBAND OVER POWERLINES

Short-wave listeners can complain to the FCC if a Broadband Over
Powerline installation interferes with their reception, but there are
some caveats. Amateur Radio Newsline's Gary Pearce, KN4AQ, has the
rest of the story:

Progress Energy has made a concerted effort to move BPL signals out of
the ham bands in their trial areas near Raleigh, North Carolina. But
the systems, which are governed by FCC Part 15 and are prohibited from
interfering with licensed services, are still radiating signals across
much of the rest of the short-wave spectrum. That's leading
short-wave listeners to ask if they have "standing" to complain to the
FCC, since they don't have licenses themselves.

The - General Council Chris Imlay W3KD says they do, if the BPL
signals are interfering with international shortwave broadcasts from
other countries, but not if they are trying to listen to domestic
shortwave broadcasters. Replying to an e-mail inquiry, Imlay adds that
"One does not have to be a licensee of a transmitter in order to
receive harmful interference."

ARRL Chief Executive Officer David Sumner K1ZZ noted that the US is a
member of the International Telecommunications Union, whose Radio
Regulations require member nations to protect HF communications from
harmful interference.

RR 15.12 reads, "Administrations shall take all practicable and
necessary steps to ensure that the operation of electrical apparatus
or installations of any kind, including power and telecommunication
distribution networks, do not cause harmful interference to a
radiocommunication service operating in accordance with the provisions
of these Regulations."

Reporting for Newsline, this is Gary Pearce KN4AQ, in Raleigh, North
Carolina.

ftp://ftp.arnewsline.org/quincy/News/news.txt

--

The bottom line: If you are trying to listen to Radio Netherlands and
a Broadband Over Powerline installation covers the station up --
complain to the FCC. (KN4AQ, ARNewsline(tm))

(Richard Magdy, Swprograms)

I've been wondering whether SWL's had any legal recourse with the FCC
regarding interference from BPL. The comments above would seem to
indicate that we do. I suggest that anyone having a shortwave related
BPL noise problem contact the ITU. Hopefully they will put some pressure
on the FCC to deal with this issue.

ITU website:
http://www.itu.int/home/


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"JJ" wrote in message
news
Mike Terry wrote:



The bottom line: If you are trying to listen to Radio Netherlands and
a Broadband Over Powerline installation covers the station up --
complain to the FCC. (KN4AQ, ARNewsline(tm))

(Richard Magdy, Swprograms)

Absolutely, let the complaints begin so the FCC will understand just how
bad BPL is going to affect the HF spectrum.


From May 2004 QST, page 77 (sidebar):

Earlier that day, Powell responded to a question about BPL interference that
amateurs had sent to the _Raleigh News & Oberver_. Powell told the newspaper
that the FCC would not let BPL interfere with ***critical services.*** "The
question is whether it does, and to what extent, and what limits can be
placed to make sure it doesn't,"Powell said. "We've been fully committed to
only allowing things within the range of what we're convinced won't create
***impermissible interference.***"

But Powell went on to say that if BPL can provide broadband access anywhere
there's a power outlet, ***"We're not going to be easily dissuaded from
doing something that has that much potential."


So, suck it up SWLs and hams, money talks and hobbies walk. Amateur radio
has become an enforcement Problem and the little public-service work done by
hams is obviously not appreciated by FCC, especially when there's so much
political clout behind BPL. As for SWLs, what do they have to offer in
comparison? If it comes down to a choice between millions of Internet users
or tens of thousands of hams, guess who's going to win? Shortwave listening
isn't even being considered. As far as this administration is concerned, you
can get all the news you need from Fox.

"PM"

Paul_Morphy wrote:

"JJ" wrote in message
news
Mike Terry wrote:



The bottom line: If you are trying to listen to Radio Netherlands and
a Broadband Over Powerline installation covers the station up --
complain to the FCC. (KN4AQ, ARNewsline(tm))

(Richard Magdy, Swprograms)

Absolutely, let the complaints begin so the FCC will understand just how
bad BPL is going to affect the HF spectrum.


From May 2004 QST, page 77 (sidebar):

Earlier that day, Powell responded to a question about BPL interference that
amateurs had sent to the _Raleigh News & Oberver_. Powell told the newspaper
that the FCC would not let BPL interfere with ***critical services.*** "The
question is whether it does, and to what extent, and what limits can be
placed to make sure it doesn't,"Powell said. "We've been fully committed to
only allowing things within the range of what we're convinced won't create
***impermissible interference.***"

But Powell went on to say that if BPL can provide broadband access anywhere
there's a power outlet, ***"We're not going to be easily dissuaded from
doing something that has that much potential."

So, suck it up SWLs and hams, money talks and hobbies walk. Amateur radio
has become an enforcement Problem and the little public-service work done by
hams is obviously not appreciated by FCC, especially when there's so much
political clout behind BPL. As for SWLs, what do they have to offer in
comparison? If it comes down to a choice between millions of Internet users
or tens of thousands of hams, guess who's going to win? Shortwave listening
isn't even being considered. As far as this administration is concerned, you
can get all the news you need from Fox.

"PM"

Unfortunately a change in the presidency won't immediately get rid of
Powell. His term doesn't expire until 2007. I wouldn't be surprised if
he doesn't know about the ITU and it's interference regulations.


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starman wrote:




Unfortunately a change in the presidency won't immediately get rid of
Powell. His term doesn't expire until 2007. I wouldn't be surprised if
he doesn't know about the ITU and it's interference regulations.

After BPL gets really rolling, Powell and other top FCC officials will
be leaving for outrageous high paying jobs in the BPL industry as their
payoff for helping push BPL through.

JJ wrote:

starman wrote:



Unfortunately a change in the presidency won't immediately get rid of
Powell. His term doesn't expire until 2007. I wouldn't be surprised if
he doesn't know about the ITU and it's interference regulations.

After BPL gets really rolling, Powell and other top FCC officials will
be leaving for outrageous high paying jobs in the BPL industry as their
payoff for helping push BPL through.

Similar to legislators becoming lobbyists after they retire from
Congress.


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I think everyone is missing something. why ask if you will be recognized. If
it's a problem, bitch! In case people have forgotten, let me remind you that
this is the US. You don't have to ask permission or be officially sanctioned
to voice your opinion. For those who will say "why bother, the big
corporations will win", I say bull. At least you could say you tried rather
than just excepting that you can be pushed around. If you are going to be
stepped on, what would you rather be, a feather or a tack?

"starman" wrote in message
...
I've been wondering whether SWL's had any legal recourse with the FCC
regarding interference from BPL. The comments above would seem to
indicate that we do. I suggest that anyone having a shortwave related
BPL noise problem contact the ITU. Hopefully they will put some pressure
on the FCC to deal with this issue.