The FCC isn't the critical party to convince concerning the practicality of
BPL. The power utilities are the force behind the steamroller. They smell a
huge cash cow, $40 per month from 50% of the households across America and not
much of a capital outlay. That's why power companies are laying out millions
per month in D.C. consultants, lobbyists and F.C.C. lawyers. My local public
utility district has had a special division handling BPL matters for several
years, paid for by the ratepayers. Engineering technical arguments have had no
weight in the F.C.C. for at least a decade. Look who the F.C.C. appoints to
deal with Amateur radio, an attorney. The F.C.C. forced the public safety and
commercial users on 800 MHz into a financial quagmire and rf interference
jungle, all to the benefit of one monopolistic corporation.
We can keep arguing within our hobby/interest group about the technical
aspects until the h.f. spectrum is filled with BPL woodpecker on Viagra. The
solution is a political one in Congress.
Cliff N7HIY
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