BPL - Its closer then you might think!

BPL - The greatest threat ever to Amateur Radio!

This page is designed to give you, amateur radio operators and the general public the information that you need to make an informed decision about BPL (Broadband over Powerlines). The power companies are saying that it doesn't interfere or what little interference it produces will not have an adverse effect on amateur radio. The FCC is continuing to push for the implementation of BPL even under continued and increasing interference concerns. The Amateur Radio community, though the ARRL is gaining more and more evidence that BPL is harmful not only to ham radio communications but those of the Coast Guard, military, aviation, and public service. So we all must ask the question, why destroy our radio resource for the transmission of broadband internet that can already be done using such technologies as EDGE, 802.11B/G/N, and other newly discovered technologies?

The following is taken from an article availablehere, by David Summer, ARRL Chief Executive Officer that sums up that BPL causes harmful interference and is a violation of FCC regulations:

Belatedly and grudgingly, the proponents of Broadband over Power Line (BPL) are beginning to acknowledge that their systems cause interference to radiocommunication. They have a new refrain: it may be interference, but it isn't harmful interference.

Every radio amateur should be familiar with the concept of harmful interference. The definition is right there in Part 97:

Harmful interference. Interference which endangers the functioning of a radionavigation service or of other safety services or seriously degrades, obstructs or repeatedly interrupts a radiocommunication service operating in accordance with the Radio Regulations. (FCC Rules, §97.3(a)(23))

This definition does not just apply to the Amateur Radio Service. It originates in the Constitution of the International Telecommunication Union (ITU) and is faithfully reproduced in the international Radio Regulations as well as in the general rules and regulations (Part 2) of the FCC Rules.

Amateur Radio is a radiocommunication service. BPL is not. In the spectrum management context, BPL has no rights whatsoever. In fact, the international Radio Regulations--which have the force and effect of a treaty--require that "Administrations shall take all practicable and necessary steps to ensure that the operation of electrical apparatus or installations of any kind, including power and telecommunication distribution networks ...does not cause harmful interference to a radiocommunication service...." [emphasis added]

Mark this: Protecting the Amateur Radio Service from harmful interference from BPL is not optional for the FCC. It is required . The FCC couldn't get out from under that obligation if it wanted to.

For most of its 70-year history--that is, until very recently--the FCC gave more than lip service to its obligation to protect licensed services. It is the reason that the following rule is enshrined in Part 15:

Operation of an intentional, unintentional, or incidental radiator is subject to the conditions that no harmful interference is caused and that interference must be accepted that may be caused by the operation of an authorized radio station, by another intentional or unintentional radiator, by industrial, scientific and medical (ISM) equipment, or by an incidental radiator. (FCC Rules, §15.5(b)

Going back to our definition, if a BPL system "seriously degrades, obstructs or repeatedly interrupts" amateur radiocommunication then it is in violation. It doesn't matter how weak the signal is that you're trying to hear, or whether you're operating in the comfort of your own home, portable or mobile: BPL cannot inflict serious degradation, repeated misinterpretation, or repeated loss of information (these terms are taken from the ITU definition of "interference") on a radiocommunication service.

End Quote.

I have added a new link to the sidebar menu going to GoBPL.com. This is an excellent BPL information page! Please take a look at it!

If you have not wrote your congressman/congresswomen about the threat that BPL posses to the HF and lower VHF spectrum please follow the links on the left and download the word documents containing a form letter you can sign and send. They are going to destroy the HF spectrum if we don't stand and let our voices be heard! Do this as soon as you can! Ham radio has given you more enjoyment then the cost of 2 stamps to send these letters to your representatives!!!

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