Folks,
I have hit upon a way to derail BPL, if we all, as hams, work together. I
followed the links to the BPL "Computerworld" news story and then the links
to the companies involved and some of the computer web magazines and printed
versions that are hyping BPL. In short order, I had reams of info and
places to watch BPL RFI develop!
I suggest we all get on the air, and contact hams with directional CQs in
the trial areas. Get them to go to the trial neighborhoods with 100 watt
mobiles and carry on normal communications and listen for BPL RFI. Then
see if they find reports in the press of BPL failures. Write their local
paper about the potential threat to Disaster and Homeland Security, (FEMA)
communications. Monitor and record BPL test transmissions in the
neighborhood before transmitting; so that you know you are near a BPL user.
We HAVE to have operational tests, and BPL must cease if it interferes with
licensed services, that is us, and Public Safety, FM broadcast, Coast Guard,
etc. Document what you find and report to Ed Hare at ARRL. FCC has
already affirmed that BPL must play by the part 15 rules to cease operating,
if it causes RFI.
Copy your Congressmen and Senators with a BPL protest and fact sheet of its
hazards to Homeland Security, Public Safety Comms., Coast Guard Short wave,
MARS, FM broadcasts, etc.
Contact these Computer trade mags and papers and point out the downfalls of
BPL they have not mentioned, (RFI to and from). I have identified even a
user of a trial in the Cincinnati neighborhood, Hyde Park. "Go park in
front of her house", tell your Ohio ham friends, "and do some mobile
transmitting." Fern Hofstetter and 100 others are in the Hyde Park trial.
She has not had RFI up to the time of the news story.
In the next Six Mos., in Cincinnati neighborhoods of Wyoming, Delhi, and
Terrace Park, more roll out BPL will be installed. Also, the power co.
there serves Oh, IN and parts of Kentucky and plans BPL there. As hams
here, we could aim beams that way and possibly record BPL RFI, Refer to
ARRL web site sound files for samples. Report that to FCC and Ed Hare at
ARRL. You will need good filters and sensitive receiving, but I would
hazard a guess that once that genie is out of the bottle of the power line,
it will propagate well if conditions are ripe.
Also, hams in Cincinnati should contact Brian Hamrick of Ch. 5 TV there who
did a favorable BPL story and give him a sample of the BPL RFI sound file
and the downside of the BPL roll out. Point out the disaster comms
effects, and show him the ARRL video on BPL.
In Ossining NY, contact Police Chief Ken Donato, who has a trial BPL
connection at the PD. He, of all people, should appreciate the downsides
to Homeland Security. Also, hams in Westchester Co. NY should look around
for the BPL homes there, and try to find the users and see if mobiling in
front of their locations affects BPL.
Other power companies besides Consolidated Edison in NY, (above), who are
rolling out BPL trials are Pepco in Washington DC, Ameren in St. Louis MO.
and Penn. Power and Light. Southern Telecom and Ambient in Alabama are
going to try BPL, and Main.net in Atlanta GA.
We should contact "Network World Fusion" with numerous accounts of how BPL
can interfere and get our ARRL reps to do likewise. It only took me about
5 minutes to find user name, companies involved, towns and even
neighborhoods by the news stories on the web. The Internet can be a
powerful ally in fighting BPL, if we all surf a bit and stay on top of these
trials, and get ARRL to do likewise. If enough buzz is made about the BPL
problems potential, it will get reasonable investors and technocrats
concerned that maybe this is not viable after all.
Good Luck and 73,
Stuart
K5KVH
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