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Here is a reprint from a recent article in Zero Beat: Broadband over Power Line (BPL) or Power Line Communications (PLC) Broadband Internet access has been extremely popular with many Americans (especially families with school age children). The demand for high speed access is high but there are realistically only two ways of getting this access: Telephone lines (both DSL and dialup) and Cable modems. This means that prices remain high and in some areas access is limited or simply not available. BPL (or PLC) is a third way of getting broadband (Internet) access into your house, right through the power lines. Simply plug the modem into the AC outlet, plug in the output of the modem in to a USB or ethernet port on your computer and your connected. Very convenient, and BPL will provide competition to the cable and DSL industry. Monthly charges for Broadband access are estimated to drop between 20 and 40% once BPL is up and running. Unfortunately, the present implementation of BPL also has the potential to make large ranges of HF spectrum useless due to RFI. BPL is a real and present threat to the future of ham radio communications, more than any other in recent memory. Basically, BPL is a (up to 80 MHz) signal which is injected on top of the power (60 Hz) line signal. Each pole transformer has to be bypassed with special couplers and in some cases repeaters need to be added to get this signal to your outlets. Sounds good right? Just plug-in and go. Well, those transmission lines are very good for moving power from one area to another, but they make horrible RF transmission lines. They are actually RF antennas! Not only that, but imagine all the antennas (power wiring in your house, your neighbors house, etc), right in and around your Ham shack. I'm sure you have many questions (I know I do). Here are a few FAQs and links to more information: 1) How do I learn more about this issue? Type "Broadband over Power Lines" into Google (both Web and Groups). Look especially hard at groups that have nothing to do with radio. This will give you a view of the technology from the "masses" as it were. Also check out the ARRL web site at http://www.arrl.org/tis/info/HTML/plc/ for lots of great details. 2) How much interference can there be and what will it sound like? Take a look at the ARRL website which has a video you need to see. 3) Have other countries banned this technology? Yes, two come to mind: Germany and Japan. Check out: http://www.jarl.or.jp/English/4_Library/A-4-1_News/jn0208.htm Other countries are currently running tests and some have already stopped (Netherlands). 4) I don't have internet access. Where else can I get some info? Well, you can try the library and use one of their computers. But if you have no access to a computer, you might try calling the League and asking if they have an information packet they could send you. 5) Is the FCC really interested in this technology? Yep! Here are some quotes I found on the Internet: "The FCC has declared BPL [FCC shorthand for PLC] as a top priority for its Office of Engineering and Technology (OET) in 2003. [Michael] Powell, who recently witnessed a BPL demonstration, calls its potential "immense." As the [FCC] chairman sees it, BPL "can offer consumers freedom to access broadband services from any room in their home without need to pay for additional wiring, by simply plugging an adapter into an existing electrical outlet." "I love this stuff," said Powell, who described himself as a "techno-ecstatic geek." Asked if he would put the power line service in his home, Powell said: "Yes, I would. I'm a little bummed it's not in my area yet." --- The Chairman certainly seems to have made up his mind --- 6) How can I get involved? First, learn as much about this as you can. Review the FCC Notice of Inquiry, and review the appropriate web sites (ARRL, etc.). Secondly, support those organizations which are in line with your views (hopefully against, but that's up to you!) either with financial backing or technical inputs. Third, educate the public (anyone you know!) about Ham radio. You will be surprised at the lack of accurate info about what we do and why it is important. And finally, write to your congressman and send comments to the FCC when appropriate. There will be more opportunities to send in your comments, don't miss the boat! 73, Marc K1MZ
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