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 Previous: FCC Mulls Responses to Complaints Alleging Interference |  Next: Surfin': The Mac Ham Universe Is Expanding |
NEWINGTON, CT, Nov 14, 2003--The interference potential of Broadband over Power Line (BPL) to over-the-air radio services was the topic of an ARRL-sponsored meeting of 25 communications professionals November 7. The National Association of Broadcasters hosted the gathering at its headquarters in Washington, DC.
"Listening to everyone introduce themselves and explain why they had come made the trip to Washington worthwhile all by itself," said ARRL CEO David Sumner, K1ZZ, who offered opening remarks and guided the discussion. Sumner showed excerpts from the ARRL BPL field test videos, which graphically demonstrate that BPL's interference potential at HF is real, not just theoretical.
During the meeting, representatives from the shortwave broadcasting, public safety, aeronautical and scientific communities joined amateur and amateur-satellite representatives to discuss the threat of BPL and possible avenues to combat its interference potential to licensed HF and low-VHF spectrum users. Military and consumer electronics representatives participated as observers. Coming the farthest was Chip Margelli, K7JA, who attended on behalf of the Yaesu Amateur Division of Vertex-Standard.
ARRL General Counsel Chris Imlay, W3KD, reviewed the status of last April's FCC's Notice of Inquiry on BPL and noted that more than 5000 comments were filed with the Commission--most of them from Amateur Radio operators. Imlay said that proposed FCC rules changes could come as soon as early next year.
Imlay added that a number of non-amateur organizations support ARRL's position on BPL. Representing the National Association of Shortwave Broadcasters, George Jacobs, W3ASK, affirmed their strong support for the ARRL position.
ARRL Technical Relations Manager Paul Rinaldo, W4RI, provided a technical review of BPL. BPL delivery systems would use existing low and medium-voltage power lines to distribute Internet and other broadband services to homes and businesses.
Other points the group touched upon included:
BPL emission measurements by government agencies are under way, but the results have not yet been made public. The FCC denied an ARRL Freedom of Information Act request on the grounds that their test results represent work-in-progress.
A government representative observed that concerned groups should be wary of tying in the overused term "homeland security" with any anti-BPL campaign, since it could be spun back against BPL opponents.
Meeting attendees cited numerous and increasing instances of interference from Part 15 devices, suggesting that such instances only infrequently result in complaints to the FCC--and even less frequently in any FCC action.
While it was deemed unnecessary to create a formal group or coalition at this point, a follow-up meeting is anticipated sometime early next year if it becomes clear that the FCC intends to release a Notice of Proposed Rulemaking regarding BPL.
Some attendees indicated a willingness to accompany ARRL representatives to meetings with federal officials to underscore that concerns about BPL are not confined to radio amateurs.
"It's apparent that concerns about BPL run very deep and include nearly every over-the-air radio service," Sumner remarked after the meeting. "Now we can work together much more effectively to express our concerns both inside and outside of government."--Derek Riker, KB3JLF, compiled information for this report
| Previous: FCC Mulls Responses to Complaints Alleging Interference | Next: Surfin': The Mac Ham Universe Is Expanding |
