[RFI] San Diego BPL

Wed Mar 2 18:59:33 EST 2005

As a Ham, a SWL, and a San Diego County resident, I can only say that the whole idea of rolling out BPL here is questionable, considering the far-better wireless alternatives that are  becoming more commonplace.

Considering the other urban alternatives available here, (cable, wireless) BPL seems at first glance only applicable to rural settings...and even then some new wireless alternatives are making inroads in that department.

I listen to the International SW Broadcast bands, and I think it's a shame the SWL community isn't big enough in the US to have as much clout as Hams do...and we hardly have enough clout as it is.  If we lose the SW broadcasting bands to BPL racket, the only place you're going to be able to get your news and information will be the Boob Tube, print media, or the Net...and we've seen what nations like China can do with selective filtering of _that_ medium.  Radio is free, in the clear, and is only limited by your ability to get an antenna up.

Just something to think about, guys...many SWL's are hams...and as one SWL once said to me, "Open ears learn more than open mouths."

If there's too much racket on the SW broadcasting bands, well, a lot of us won't be able to hear those interesting alternative points of view and exotic musical and cultural programming you used to as easily.

Just a thought.  Frankly, if it screws up ANY of the 2-30Mhz spectrum, I hope the whole thing fails miserably.  But, it probably will continue to roll out. Well, we have the departing Mr. Powell to thank for making the US safe from Janet Jackson's wardrobe, and for the FCC's support for BPL.  "The Marketplace will decide."

...and I just finished a years-long project restoring a complete 50's AM Heathkit station. Perfect timing. <sigh>

-Lin/KJ6EF
=========================================================

At 10:39 AM 03/02/2005, you wrote:
>>From the ARRL home page this afternoon:
>
>"...The SDG&E staffers said they were unimpressed by early BPL equipment, but were encouraged by a December visit to the Cinergy BPL system in Cincinnati--said to pass some 50,000 homes reportedly without generating any interference complaints so far. Cinergy has partnered with Current Technologies in its BPL venture."
>
>*******************
>
>Is this true?  That Cincinnati has had 50,000 homes being supplied high speed access without complaints?  If this is NOT true, then why the heck aren't hams screaming bloody murder in the streets of Cincinatti?
>
>If the Cincinnati system is proving to be useful and interference free, then we should support the effort in San Diego.  If it is NOT interference free, then we need to be making a concerted effort to inform the public accordingly.
>
>So what of this claim of no complaints in Cincinnati?  Is it true or not?
>
>Ford-N0FP
>ford at cmgate.com
>
>
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