Topband: BPL

[k6se at juno.com]

As I understand it, the Broadband over Power Line (BPL) proposal by the
electric power companies is an attempt to have the FCC relax the present
power line radiation limits.  Yet, in the same breath, the electric power
companies have stated that BPL already is within those limits.  If so,
then why do they want the limits relaxed?
 
I have watched the ARRL video of the mobile test that W1RFI made in late
July of the four areas where BPL is being tested and I was appalled by
the level and type of interference that BPL causes in the HF spectrum
(even though W1RFI said that the radiation was within the FCC limits). 
The ARRL news story and the downloadable video are available at
http://www.remote.arrl.org/news/stories/2003/08/08/2/?nc=1
 
BPL sweeps the range of 2 to 80MHz, so if you operate on 80 thru 6 meters
and BPL goes nationwide, it'll wipe you out.  You also might have to
stand the wrath of neighbors who connect to the Internet via BPL if you
interfere with it.
 
To file your comments on-line with the FCC, go to
http://gullfoss2.fcc.gov/prod/ecfs/upload_v2.cgi
 
The Proceeding number which you should type into box 1 is 03-104.
 
The deadline for filing your comments is August 20th.
 
73, de Earl, K6SE