Recruit the BIG Guns!
Bill Lauterbach (WA8MEA)
on
November 17, 2003
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Shortwave DX'er Glenn Hauser probably has the best idea in fighting BPL. Ham operators and SWL's don't have the numbers. BUT, if we recruit the nation's AM/FM broadcasters into the fight, then we have a MIGHTY force aligning with us to fight BPL.
Glenn's suggestion was to write the "Big Guns" of broadcasting: Clear Channel, Infinity, the National Association of Broadcasters, etc. I'd like to add that the National Assoc. of Religious Broadcasters is also a powerful lobby.
Remind them all about the potential of BPL interference, ESPECIALLY to commuters who will be traveling next to and under these data carrying power lines.
73, Bill Lauterbach
WA8MEA
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Recruit the BIG Guns!
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by K1WCC on November 17, 2003
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It's a good idea, but I think they are already waking up to the fact that they have a potential problem on their hands. The League recently met with representatives of these organizations to discuss options.
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Recruit the BIG Guns!
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by NA4IT on November 17, 2003
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Bad problem with a lot of AM broadcasters is they own a lot of stations, bought them for political purposes, and now they run automated through a computer. You can never find a live body at the station to talk to...
I remember the day when you actually had to have a 3rd Class ticket just to be a DJ, and we actually read the news off the "wire"!
It's a good thought though.
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RE: Recruit the BIG Guns!
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by K3UD on November 17, 2003
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I visited a a BPL test site and while there I checked on interference to the broadcast band. The BPL effect was noticable from about 1400 KHZ on up.
While I could hear a strong local signal at 1520, everything else was wiped out and the combination of the strong signals from both the local station and BPL really hacked up the AM radio in my vehicle.
Radio stations between 1400 and 1600 KHZ tend to be small low power local stations serving small communities or small regions. A lot of these stations are in rural areas which is where the promise of BPL looms large. Many of these stations drop power levels in the evening. We have a local on 1480 which drops to 24 watts. It is possible that BPL might do serious harm to small local stations.
Broadcasting is all about advertising and money.
If the broadcasters and syndicators see a threat to their revenue stream, they usually will act.
73
George
K3UD
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RE: Recruit the BIG Guns!
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by KE4MOB on November 17, 2003
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If you look at the comments filed to the NOI, the BBC (affectionately known as "the Beeb" to SWLs) was there from the get go with numerous white papers stating their concerns on BPL. In light of the recent meeting between the ARRL and the broadcasting industry, it seems like everyone is finally coming around.
Steve, KE4MOB
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RE: Recruit the BIG Guns!
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by KC8VWM on November 17, 2003
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I thought we already had this forum once recently?
World's Broadcasters Join Anti-BPL Chorus:
http://www.eham.net/articles/6720
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RE: Recruit the BIG Guns!
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by KG6AMW on November 17, 2003
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Great idea, however the ARRL has already acted. Take a look at a recent news item here on EHAM dated November 15th that leads off with the following "The interference potential of Broadband over Power Line (BPL) to over-the-air radio services was the topic of an ARRL-sponsored meeting of 25 communications professionals November 7. The National Association of Broadcasters hosted the gathering at its headquarters in Washington, DC."
KG6AMW
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Recruit the BIG Guns!
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by HAMDUDE on November 17, 2003
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B = Bulls*** P = propaganda L = lies The BS part comes from ISP`s and FCC politicians who claim it wont interfere. The propaganda comes from the league who uses this as a tool to mask the CW issue while soliciting funds to fight this so called evil. And the lies come from all of the above who stand to make money from this.
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Recruit the BIG Guns!
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by AH6RR on November 17, 2003
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I think we need to look into also recruiting the Marine SSB operators and Land based stations as they will be in the same boat as us. Only thier use is a matter of Life and Death. Thier main communications means is HF SSB. Very few have the sat phones.
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Recruit the BIG Guns!
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by W3DCG on November 17, 2003
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Whoa, HAMDUDE, a bit cynical are we.
But in all deference to you sir, I feel the same way, though with less emotion because I'm resigned.
I think the AM broadcasting industry would be against BPL if not already.
At the same time, they do much promotion on the Internet as well, but no one is saying don't use the Internet.
I'm thinking, there are alternatives yet to be investigated, if I was Joe Corporate Power Line, I would definitely investigate all avenues before spending hundreds of millions of investor money.
If Corridor and equivalent technologies pan out to truly provide less or no interference to any current services, with so much more through-put, then the road is wide open, with no stumbling blocks, except perhaps those who have invested much money into DSL and the likes.
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RE: Recruit the BIG Guns!
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by AE7G on November 17, 2003
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Show us your letter, where you mailed it, and the responses you received.
Who did you contact at the ARRL to verify they haven’t already go this?
What commercial broadcast business did you contact to verify they haven’t heard that BPL might effect the reception of their signals?
Off hand, I’d think the last thing we need is for hams, who lack the technical expertise to write a technical letter, sending letters to commercial broadcasters. Especially, if the letter writers haven’t actually done any measurements on broadcast frequencies.
Bob
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Recruit the BIG Guns!
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by W4VR on November 17, 2003
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The National Association of Broadcasters is already involved in the fight against BPL. The religious broadcasters now own a large chunk of the AM broadcast band where BPL will add to the already noisy band.
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RE: Recruit the BIG Guns!
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by KI4AOB on November 17, 2003
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Maybe we could get CB'ers to go against BPL too.
BPL = Band PoLlution
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RE: Recruit the BIG Guns!
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by KC8VWM on November 17, 2003
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>>>>Off hand, I’d think the last thing we need is for hams, who lack the technical expertise to write a technical letter, sending letters to commercial broadcasters.<<<<
Actually, I write many technical articles for industry publications. Your assertion that hams are unable to write technical articles is incorrect.
Care to see one?
http://www.betterroads.com/articles/may03c.htm
Please note the authors name and the fact that I am also an Amateur Radio Operator. Go figure...
73
Charles Bushell - KC8VWM
(Eham is not a point of reference in determining an individuals well respected literary accomplishments)
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RE: Recruit the BIG Guns!
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by AE7G on November 17, 2003
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I re-quote your quote ">>>>Off hand, I’d think the last thing we need is for hams, who lack the technical expertise to write a technical letter, sending letters to commercial broadcasters.<"
hams, who LACK technical expertise to write
All hams don't have the technical expertise to write such a letter.
If you don't believe me, imagine how coherent a letter someone would write on BPL interference, when they do not know how to make a dipole antenna.
Or, did I miss the recruiting part specifying the measure of technical expertise hams need to communicate intelligently with BC business owners and commercial broad cast engineers?
Who did you talk to at The League about this?
What association of commercial broadcast stations did you talk with (to find out if they already were aware of the issue, and if they are taking action)?
Bob
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RE: Recruit the BIG Guns!
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by KC8VWM on November 17, 2003
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It's ok Bob, just a simple misunderstanding...
Take Care,
Charles - KC8VWM
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RE: Recruit the BIG Guns!
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by KE2IV on November 17, 2003
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WA8MEA et al.:
Yesterday I went to a meeting at the town hall where I live. I was suprised that it was made available to us mere citizens on a Sunday afternoon.
The meeting was to try to organize residents against a gravel mine that was seeking to operate in the town. It was held on in large part because the Town "leaders" had refused to deal with the issue and (just maybe) were in cahoots with the company proposing to open this mine.
What has this got to do with BPL and ham radio?
One hell of a lot!
These disaffected folks in our town were at wit's end as to what to do to fight this "blight" on there community.
Unlike them, ham radio operators (the few whom are left) DO NOT face this dilemma in dealing with the "blight" of BPL.
Unlike my neighbors seeking organization and guidance - WE HAVE A VOICE!
It is the ARRL.
Now, more then ever, we have to pull together and face what is probably the greatest threat we've ever faced. This is not a challenge to our frequency allocations, nor is it an internal battle over licesing and mode usage.
If BPL comes to fruition; we are likely to see the end to effective HF communications.
Certainly we should seek allies in the SW industry, as well as AM broadcast. But we first must be all together on this. And that (heaven forfend) means most of you "gripers" reaching into the flea-ridden wallet and pulling out a few sawbucks to send to the ARRL's BPL fund!
(and given how cheap most Hams are, I suspect we're all going to be consigned to EchoLink real soon!)
73 (I think),
KE2IV
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RE: Recruit the BIG Guns!
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by KG4YJR on November 18, 2003
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>>>The propaganda comes from the league who uses this as a tool to mask the CW issue while soliciting funds to fight this so called evil<<<
I just love throwing my "give us money" letters from the ARRL in the trash. I'll enjoy throwing my membership renewal in the trash even more.
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VC's not aware of BPL issues
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by N5EG on November 18, 2003
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At a conference two weeks ago, I talked with a Venture Capitalist, and he mentioned how attractive he thought BPL was. I asked him if he was aware of potential RFI issues with BPL?
He said that he had never heard any such disucssion. I mentioned that many other licensed services were currently primary registrants on frequencies that BPL would need to share under non-interference basis (part-15). He told me that this would be of significant concern to him.
Now, a sample size of one VC who is not aware of the issues may not be representative of all VC's. But one has to wonder if the investors in BPL have been fully briefed as to the potential business ramifications?
-- Tom, N5EG
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RE: Recruit the BIG Guns!
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by W4EWJ on November 18, 2003
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In Utah .... theres a huge effort to wire the
whole state for high speed internet, cable tv, etc
by using fibre optic cable...$400mil cost with the
average household at $28 per mo for basic service....
dont know what that is but its all touted to be
100 times faster than existing service...
Anybody in Utah aware of this?
Earle
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RE: Recruit the BIG Guns!
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by WR8D on April 4, 2004
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Ref W4EWJ: Charter cable is doing that here in WestVirginia. Cable tv, high speed internet access on a fiber optic trunk line. It runs right along under the phone lines on the poles, each house has its own drop line. "really fast isp"
73
John WR8D "Happy Easter"
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