[RFI] So-Called Utility "Smart Meters"

[Kirb Nesbitt]

Ed,
it is most likely an Itron system. Can you determine whether it is a 
wired (PLC based) or 900 Mhz wireless? Itron along with many other 
AMR/ANI systems use the 902-923 Mhz band for communication between their 
Mesh/data collector sites and the meter ERT units. I have heard reports 
out of Ontario that RAC is looking into the interference potential as it 
pertains to licensed amateur radio operation in the 900 Mhz band.

73,

Kirb - VE6IV
--

EP Swynar wrote:
> Good Morning All,
> 
> The good folks here at the Ontario Hydro generating outfit (or WHATEVER it is that they might call themselves this week) have elected to install so-called "smart meters", in place of the regular old-fashioned ones, at the street AC drop point outside of everyone's house...
> 
> For the uninitiated, "smart meters" automatically keep track of power usage in each home, and then charge rates according to whether or not it's "peak / prime" time, or otherwise...apparently (as I understand it) these odious devices are in constant communication wirelessly with "Big Brother", feeding the data to some central collection point, to calculate final billing...and they mark the end of days for the old-fashioned, traditional humanoid meter reader.
> 
> Oh yes, did I mention that this is all a "...GOOD thing" for Ontario...?
> 
> Anyway, I'm VERY curious if any Hams reading this, who may have already had smart meters installed at their respective QTHs, have experienced any sort of RFI either to, or from, the readers...? I wrote a strongly-worded letter to the local co-ordinator of this effort, and received a phone message back from one of his minions that I would be hearing from them shortly...that was about a month ago.
> 
> The monitor was installed at my QTH here a coupla days ago, but the system is not yet operational.
> 
> Any sage words from the ranks of the knowledgeable...? 
> 
> Thanks in advance, & my vy
> 
> ~73!~ Eddy VE3CUI - VE3XZ
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