FEMA Says BPL Will 'Severely Impair' Essential HF Operations:
from
The ARRL Letter, Vol 22, No 49
Website:
http://www.arrl.org/
on
December 13, 2003
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FEMA Says BPL Will 'Severely Impair' Essential HF Operations:
A proverbial monkey wrench in the works for BPL? Expressing "grave
concerns" about likely interference from unlicensed Broadband over Power
Line (BPL) systems, the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) told
the FCC that BPL could "severely impair FEMA's mission-essential HF radio
operations in areas serviced by BPL technology." FEMA responded December 4
to last April's FCC BPL Notice of Inquiry, ET Docket 03-104. Now part of
the Department of Homeland Security--the agency said its primary worry is
BPL's potential impact on the FEMA National Radio System (FNARS) on HF.
FNARS is FEMA's primary command and control backup medium under the
Federal Response Plan.
"FEMA has concluded that introduction of unwanted interference from the
implementation of BPL technology into the high frequency radio spectrum
will result in significant detriment to the operation of FEMA radio
systems such as FNARS," FEMA asserted. "FNARS radio operators normally
conduct communications with signals that are barely above the ambient
noise levels." FNARS HF stations, FEMA said, typically are in residential
areas of the sort that BPL might serve.
As part of the Department of Homeland Security, FEMA's perspectives on BPL
could carry substantial weight at the FCC, which may issue a Notice of
Proposed Rule Making as early as February. The FCC's BPL Notice of Inquiry
has attracted more than 5100 comments--many of them from the amateur
community.
FEMA said BPL also could render useless such "essential communications
services" as the Radio Amateur Civil Emergency Service (RACES), the
Military Affiliate Radio System (MARS) and the Civil Air Patrol. FEMA and
ARRL last year signed a Memorandum of Understanding that focuses on how
Amateur Radio may coordinate with the agency in disasters and emergencies.
Calling the HF spectrum "an invaluable and irreplaceable public safety
resource," FEMA said there's no current alternative to HF in terms of
meeting national security and emergency preparedness requirements at the
national, state and local levels. The agency advised the FCC to beef up
its Part 15 rules to ensure no increase in interference levels to existing
FCC or NTIA-licensed communication systems. Otherwise, FEMA predicted,
"any noise increase inevitably would diminish the ability to maintain
essential communications" and would "directly impair the safety of life
and property."
Likewise, FEMA pointed out, amateur HF transmitters could possibly
interfere with and interrupt BPL service, leading consumers not familiar
with Part 15 to blame licensed radio services.
Concluded FEMA: "The purported benefits of BPL in terms of expanded
services in certain communications sectors do not appear to outweigh the
benefit to the overall public of HF radio capability as presently used by
government, broadcasting and public safety users."
Additional information about BPL and Amateur Radio is on the ARRL Web
site,
http://www.arrl.org/tis/info/html/plc/. To support the League's efforts in
this area, visit the ARRL's secure BPL Web site,
Ka href=https://www.arrl.org/forms/development/donations/bpl/>
https://www.arrl.org/forms/development/donations/bpl/.
Source:
The ARRL Letter
Vol. 22, No. 49
December 12, 2003
This article has expired. No more comments may be added.
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FEMA Says BPL Will 'Severely Impair' Essential HF
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by K1CJS on December 13, 2003
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At last a government entity is taking a stance on this issue--on the correct side to boot! We hams shouldn't ease off on the fight, however. We still have to make our voices heard to those at the FCC both now and in the future.
Hopefully, the spectre of BPL will pass on to where it belongs--non-existance.
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FEMA Says BPL Will 'Severely Impair' Essential HF
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by WA5KRP on December 14, 2003
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WOW! Finally a heavyweight comes out against BPL, and in the process describes HF communications as ESSENTIAL. That's huge. Living in San Antonio, I don't fear BPL directly. Our local power company probably wouldn't want to make the outlays necessary to provide BPL in an already competitive digital market served by SBC and Time-Warner Cable. However, indirectly, BPL could take out tens of thousands of fellow amateurs in smaller markets and render ham radio a silent key. That's why I've written letters and made a monetary contribution to fight BPL. We can't back off now.
All that said, am I missing something? An article in QST indicated a station operating at 100 watts on 20M would knock out nearby BPL subscribers. Seems like a mobile operator could unwittingly wreak havoc. Ya think? 73, WA5KRP
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RE: FEMA Says BPL Will 'Severely Impair' Essential
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by KC8VWM on December 14, 2003
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"Goodbye" BPL... nice knowin ya...
KC8VWM
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RE: FEMA Says BPL Will 'Severely Impair' Essential
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by WA9SVD on December 14, 2003
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Don't make any assumptions about demise of BPL. The power companies are a VERY strong lobby, particularly with the current administration and FCC board.
MY question is: "What the heck took FEMA so long to speak up?" They should have been in this from the start, loud and strong.
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RE: FEMA Says BPL Will 'Severely Impair' Essential
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by AE4X on December 15, 2003
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Looks like I'm buying that new HF rig afterall!
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RE: FEMA Says BPL Will 'Severely Impair' Essential
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by KC8VWM on December 15, 2003
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>>>>The power companies are a VERY strong lobby, particularly with the current administration and FCC board. <<<<
As part of the Nations Department of Homeland Security, FEMA's role is to preserve the safety and security for the citizens of this country.
I don't believe there is going to be any argument made from even the big dog power companies, or ANY private corporation for that matter that suggests BPL is going to be for the common good of consumers if FEMA is now a major player in this game.
The argument that "BPL is the newer technology for customers without internet access in rural areas" won't hold water anymore because private BPL companies have failed to inform consumers of the potential effects and risks this technology will have on national security.
You could say, BPL advocates are now left holding the proverbial plastic cup filled with holes. No matter how much water private BPL companies place in the consumers cup to drink , consumers will now always lose their water.
BPL now has too many shortcomings for even the big dog power companies to contend with to be of any benefit.
There are simply just too many powerful advocate groups that are against BPL to be of any benefit to consumers.
Consumers are not likely going to support a service that clearly threatens national security initiatives such as those provided by FEMA.
Here's your coat..what's your hurry!
Bye, Bye BPL...
Insert "Hamster Happy Dance" here...
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RE: FEMA Says BPL Will 'Severely Impair' Essential
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by AE4X on December 15, 2003
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Seriously...this is GREAT news! Finally, a big influence has stepped up to the plate to put an end to this. Kudos to the ARRL for their work and all the hams who have submitted comments.
I heard Art Bell talk about this last night on his show and the consensus there was the same...BPL is dead in the water now.
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RE: FEMA Says BPL Will 'Severely Impair' Essential
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by NUTONES on December 15, 2003
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"Goodbye" BPL... nice knowin ya..."
And goodbye Commissioner Abernathy; we anxiously await the "Nirvana" that will accompany your departure from the FCC. And upon your departure, please educate yourself with respect to communications instead of throwing around cute "buzzwords," as if you really understand the subject matter.
Get a clue. Get educated, and stay out of public service.
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RE: FEMA Says BPL Will 'Severely Impair' Essential
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by KA0MR on December 16, 2003
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News flash- In Washington today the "tip of the hat" goes to the highest bidder.
In regards to "Homeland Security" the perfect cover to remove the citizens ability to keep the owners of our politicians in check.
BPL will happen if enough money gets in the palms of those entrusted to protect us from that very enemy our politicians.
Bob
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RE: FEMA Says BPL Will 'Severely Impair' Essential
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by W9WHE on December 16, 2003
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It might not be over yet, BUT......I would not be placing any bets infavor of BPL!
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RE: FEMA Says BPL Will 'Severely Impair' Essential
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by K7LAS on December 16, 2003
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ICOMDUDE, well now you know twice as much about it because you have read it twice. Good job!
K7LAS
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RE: FEMA Says BPL Will 'Severely Impair' Essential
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by KB3KAQ on December 18, 2003
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i find it interesting that FEMA quoted the ARRL's Ed Hare. that is significant. it not only validates what Ed has found in his research, but clearly shows that the ARRL is a respected organization.
i doubt that without the tests from Ed and the ARRL, such a strong position could be held by FEMA. great job Ed. i love the line in the the response that states a +30db signal level would be required. that should wake someone up at the FCC, ya think?
-steve hanlon
KB3KAQ
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RE: FEMA Says BPL Will 'Severely Impair' Essential
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by KC8VWM on December 18, 2003
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Ed? Who?... NFL?.. ARRL What?.... duh?
If ED Hare - his work on BPL, and the ARRL isn't a household name to you by now, then you belong to the category described above...
Charles - KC8VWM
ARRL Supporter.
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RE: FEMA Says BPL Will 'Severely Impair' Essential
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by W1RFI on December 18, 2003
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> i doubt that without the tests from Ed and the ARRL,
> such a strong position could be held by FEMA. great
> job Ed. i love the line in the the response that
> states a +30db signal level would be required. that
> should wake someone up at the FCC, ya think?
The technical work done by ARRL on the BPL matter is having an effect. I also know that the NTIA folks decided to do their independent investigation in part due to the ARRL's filings and material. It is just one example of what the League does with the money it gets from membership, donations, advertising, book sales etc. Those who say that ARRL cares about the money are 100% correct, because each dollar that ARRL can muster is one more dollar's worth of things that the League can accomplish. I have quite a list in my own mind of which of those dollars are well spent.
Actually, that 30 dB is, IMHO, a low estimate. By the calculations ARRL has done, BPL at the present FCC limits could raise the local noise at typical amateur stations by 60 dB. In very quiet areas, or in cases where an amateur antenna is close to electrical wiring, it could be tens of dB more.
If the FCC were to lower the permitted Part 15 levels for BPL by 30 dB, it would not offer complete protection to over-the-air radio. It would, however, probably mean that BPL could not work. BPL must operate well above the present levels of noise on the power lines or it will not function at all. If it went down every time someone turned on a food blender, it would not be seen as a viable technology.
Even at the present Part 15 levels, tests done by amateurs in AMRAD, a DC-area technical amateur group, show that as little at 10 watts nearby will bring some BPL systems down.
73,
Ed Hare, W1RFI
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RE: FEMA Says BPL Will 'Severely Impair' Essential
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by W1RFI on December 18, 2003
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> If ED Hare - his work on BPL, and the ARRL isn't a
> household name to you by now, then you belong to the
> category described above...
This is not an Ed Hare effort. It starts at the top, with Jim Haynie making trips to DC to talk this up where it counts. In his spare time, he gets to get quoted by reporters and similar things. Dave Sumner also gets in on that action; I probably forward 2-3 emails a day their ways, asking them to step in and provide the top-level contact that can be all-important in these sorts of things.
Here in the Lab, I am one of 3 staff who have done work on BPL issues. Our DC staff are working the issue with FCC and at the international ITU level. And, to round it all out, Chris Imlay, ARRL's Corporate Counsel, advises all of us and puts things together for our formal filings.
I am just the one of all of the above that likes to hang out on amateur radio discussion groups in his spare time, so I am the one you know best. :-)
It's my job. I am glad to do it well, but the only reason ARRL has the resources to get it done is that a whole lot of you all chipped in! Thanks for making it possible!
73,
Ed Hare, W1RFI
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RE: FEMA Says BPL Will 'Severely Impair' Essential
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by WA5KRP on December 18, 2003
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Hey Ed,
Glad to see you weigh in. With 20+ over nine of modesty to boot. Is my understanding correct - the average amateur operating with 100W on HF would take out BPL subscribers within a significant (1/10th mile) radius?
Danny McCarty
WA5KRP
ARRL Lifer
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RE: FEMA Says BPL Will 'Severely Impair' Essential
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by W1RFI on December 19, 2003
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> Is my understanding correct - the average amateur
> operating with 100W on HF would take out BPL
> subscribers within a significant (1/10th mile)
> radius?
Some of the early results from the tests showed 10 watts to an indoor antenna in a "Lab" environment stopped the HomePlug modems used in the test from operating. Other preliminary results in one of the trial areas showed that 15 watts a half mile away (but near the power line carrying the BPL signal) had a similar effect on some bands. It is my opinion that 100 watts to a gain antenna would have even more effect.
73,
Ed Hare, W1RFI
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RE: FEMA Says BPL Will 'Severely Impair' Essential
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by WA5KRP on December 19, 2003
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"Other preliminary results in one of the trial areas showed that 15 watts a half mile away (but near the power line carrying the BPL signal) had a similar effect on some bands. It is my opinion that 100 watts to a gain antenna would have even more effect." - W1RFI
Looks like the average ham operating in compliance with FCC Title 47 Part 97 Sec. 97.111 (authorized amateur transmissions) will be a dragon slayer. Aw shucks. WA5KRP
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RE: FEMA Says BPL Will 'Severely Impair' Essential
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by KC8VWM on December 19, 2003
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Why not use WiFi or other technologies instead of BPL?. I mean, "It seems to me" that it would be more cost effective and less prone to problems on both sides of the fence. Why all the resistance for a more cost effective and less problematic solution?
73
Charles - KC8VWM
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RE: FEMA Says BPL Will 'Severely Impair' Essential
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by N1OL on December 19, 2003
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WiFi solutions are open to multiple service providers.
BPL restricts you to the Power utility.
Power utilities are only interested in gouging the maximum dollars from their victims, if you have any doubt read;
http://www.cbsnews.com/stories/2003/03/26/national/main546097.shtml
73s
David
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FEMA Says BPL Will 'Severely Impair' Essential HF
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by N4QA on December 20, 2003
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Ok, fellas.
Now that it's beginning to appear that the BPL issue *may* be coming under control...in our favor...should we get back to that all-important issue...the CW testing requirement debate ?
Just in case CW is going down though, I now spend a lot of time on 14088 KHz RTTY with the DSW-20 and my homebrew PC app, DSWMULTI.
Hope you guys don't hate RTTY too...
C'mon...there's no big exam or anything for RTTY.
Spectrally, it's a good bit wider than CW but, hey, it's a lot narrower than conventional SSB or AM...
hee hee hee...er, I mean ho ho ho !
www.n4qa.com
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RE: FEMA Says BPL Will 'Severely Impair' Essential
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by W9WHE on December 22, 2003
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I hear the "fat lady" warming up.
With BPL gone, will the ARRL focus on the antenna bill?
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FEMA Says BPL Will 'Severely Impair' Essential HF
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by WA1RNE on December 23, 2003
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I hope there's more gusto in FEMA's argument than what they've indicated so far.
MARS?? The Civil Air Patrol?? RACES??
Wait a minute....how do you go up against the electric utilities and their high powered lobbyists in D.C. with this stuff?
When can anyone demonstrate the last time an amateur used RACES or MARS HF communications during a regional or national emergency? Sure, RACES takes advantage of VHF and UHF spectrum and can use it very effectively to tie into state and federal agencies but HF use has been non-existent. When is the last time your RACES organization ran a communications drill on HF??
The CAP has a large network on HF but so far they have been pretty quiet about BPL.
MARS? Be serious....
If BPL has such a high probability of severely impacting other HF services, wouldn't you think the DoD and Homeland Security would be the first ones raising the red flag? I'm not saying our spectrum will not be impacted by BPL but I am saying that we will probably need a better argument with real facts and data. BPL is complicated, from both an engineering and business perspective. It may end up being so complicated that it never sees the light of day.
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RE: FEMA Says BPL Will 'Severely Impair' Essential
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by W1RFI on December 24, 2003
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ARRL will be in this one until the fat lady sings and the rest of the choir goes home. Although FEMA's filing was significant, it is not sufficient to derail the train. The additional engineering in the works by the League staff and an outside testing entity will be part of the information that will be put on the table over the coming months.
In general, I imagine that most federal agencies will allow NTIA to speak for them. The NTIA expects to have a report ready in early 2004, possibly in several stages. I don't know their conclusions, except to say that I have been to the same BPL marketing trials as they have and know what they will find. I expect that the level of testing and analysis they have done is extensive.
There is a lot at stake, in both directions, and most involved in this have put a lot into investigating the interference potential, with one notable exception: the BPL industry has not made any of its "test results" related to interference public. Their only "defense" is a blanket statement that because their marketing trials have not resulted in interference reports (the 10-odd homes in the marketing trial in Briarcliff Manor, NY, for example), none of the concerns of interference are valid.
Unfortunately, they also include any actual interference in this blanket statement, making unsupportable claims such as the staccato bursts of noise in Emmaus, PA being caused by a neon sign or the noise present in the trial area in Potomac, MD over about 15 MHz of spectrum being caused by "other licensed users." (A reporter working on a BPL article described that one to Dave Sumner. It will be interesting to see it if the quote makes it into print.)
73,
Ed Hare, W1RFI
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RE: FEMA Says BPL Will 'Severely Impair' Essential
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by AB2PN on December 26, 2003
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Time to start running Full Duplex Rtty at 1.5 KW
:)
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RE: FEMA Says BPL Will 'Severely Impair' Essential
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by N7VI on December 18, 2004
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Cheer up fellow HAMs (and SWLs/CBers). BPL has no
realistic way of competing against Wi-MAX technology
for the so called "last mile" data connectivity.
Wi-MAX is just around the corner (late 2005 and 2006)
and has a radius of 30 miles and is poised to change
several things in the fields of : entertainment,
commercial radio, cell phones and of course as
a very cost-effective and much better bandwidth
(not to mention no RFI) technology alternative to
even cable/DSL (let alone "poor BPL") !
Wi-MAX could be our friend which competes against
BPL on purely technical merit and cost feasibility
alone.
So, cheers and 73s,
N7VI
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RE: FEMA Says BPL Will 'Severely Impair' Essential
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by N7VI on December 20, 2004
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Interesting article :
http://www.cq-vhf.com/Sum04Editorial.pdf
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