[Swprograms] BPL and SWLs

[Richard Magdy <rsm@xxxxxxxxxxx>]

>From Amateur Radio Newsline 4/16/04

ftp://ftp.arnewsline.org/quincy/News/news.txt


THE BPL FIGHT:  SWL'S VS. BROADBAND OVER POWERLINES

Short-wave listeners can complain to the FCC if a Broadband Over
Powerline installation interferes with their reception, but there are
some caveats. Amateur Radio Newsline's Gary Pearce, KN4AQ, has the
rest of the story:


Progress Energy has made a concerted effort to move BPL signals out of
the ham bands in their trial areas near Raleigh, North Carolina.  But
the systems, which are governed by FCC Part 15 and are prohibited from
interfering with licensed services, are still radiating signals across
much of the rest of the short-wave spectrum.  That's leading
short-wave listeners to ask if they have "standing" to complain to the
FCC, since they don't have licenses themselves.

The - General Council Chris Imlay W3KD says they do, if the BPL
signals are interfering with international shortwave broadcasts from
other countries, but not if they are trying to listen to domestic
shortwave broadcasters. Replying to an e-mail inquiry, Imlay adds that
"One does not have to be a licensee of a transmitter in order to
receive harmful interference."  

ARRL Chief Executive Officer David Sumner K1ZZ noted that the US is a 
member of the International Telecommunications Union, whose Radio 
Regulations require member nations to protect HF communications from 
harmful interference.  

RR 15.12 reads, "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, do not cause harmful interference to a
radiocommunication service operating in accordance with the provisions
of these Regulations."

Reporting for Newsline, this is Gary Pearce KN4AQ, in Raleigh, North 
Carolina.

--

The bottom line:  If you are trying to listen to Radio Netherlands and
a Broadband Over Powerline installation covers the station up --
complain to the FCC.  (KN4AQ, ARNewsline(tm))



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