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FCC OET Letter to Congressman Vitter
Lionel Booth (N5LB)
on
August 17, 2004
View comments about this article!
FCC Responds to Congressman David Vitter's BPL Interference Query
Congressman Vitter transmitted the attached reply from the Commission's Office of Engineering ad Technology. Though the Commission's response overlooks several important areas, it required that the OET Chief take the time to reply, which in itself is a minor victory.
As I have said before, if we want to overcome the BPL threat we all must act. Today, right now, is a good time for you to take action. Working with my congressman and asking for his assistance is effective in spreading the truth about BPL. Personally, I appreciate the work of my congressman, and I will continue to work with him and the senior Senator from Louisiana, Mary Landrieu.
That's my approach and I urge everyone with concerns about BPL to take a stand and make your thoughts known using whatever approach fits. You must be accurate in your statements, and you must stay on point. You must be polite, respect is a two way street.
Enough lecturing! I'm sensing success, faintly, but nevertheless present. Let's run up the score!
Take action now if you haven't started already. If you have started, please continue.
Attachments: July 21, 2004 Letter FCC/OET to Congressman Vitter
This article has expired. No more comments may be added.
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FCC OET Letter to Congressman Vitter
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by KY1V on August 17, 2004
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I specifically like the part where they say...
"...in the unlikely event such interference should occur."
Considering the comment above and the one below, it is quite evident they are taking significant steps to mitigate the severity of the problem, rather than mitigate the problem itself as they so claim.
"...and at the same time, help promote and foster the development of this new technology"
In fact, they don't even recognize there is a problem, as evidenced in this comment...
"The Commission has received several complaints from amateurs that DESCRIBE interference from BPL trial operations"
Note they do not admit there is actual interference.
They further repudiate the fact there is interference when they continue with the statement...
"We are actively monitoring the efforts of the associated BPL providers in resolving these COMPLAINTS"
Why not call a spade a spade and say INTERFERENCE instead of COMPLAINT?
There is no admission of a problem in this document and it is clearly designed as a smoke and mirrors response to satisfy the inquiry by the politician.
Quite frankly, this letter is very revealing and if someone does not bring these points out in a public hearing, or in a federal court, all will surely be lost.
Respectfully
David ~ KY1V
2004 Amateur of the Year
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RE: FCC OET Letter to Congressman Vitter
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by AE1X on August 17, 2004
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I agree! I do not see anything in this document other than an official attempt to sugar coat the actions of the FCC and the BPL industry to the representative.
I think that a serious congressional inquiry should be undertaken. The FCC clearly has no intention of enforcing its own rules in this case and is ready to hand the entire HF spectrum to BPL by creating a pseudo-primary service.
Ken
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FCC OET Letter to Congressman Vitter
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by N5LB on August 17, 2004
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I followed up on this with a letter to Vitter explaining that shortcomings of the FCC actions and their response.
I also pulled the "in the unlikely event..." comment and asked Vitter to get me an explanation of how this could be, since we already have numerous documented complaints.
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RE: FCC OET Letter to Congressman Vitter
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by KG5JJ on August 17, 2004
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I agree. This letter is nothing but government bureaucracy "double-speak". They (FCC) are stuck between calming the fears of concerned spectrum users, and rolling-out the red carpet for political money-mongers, whose only interest is the sound of a full pocket of change, as they waddle down the hallowed hallways of Washington, D.C.
The FCC's handling of this whole BPL fiasco is a typical example of government bureaucracy at its worst. Adding insult-to-injury, we, as taxpayers, are supporting the FCC's insubordination.
73 KG5JJ (Mike)
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RE: FCC OET Letter to Congressman Vitter
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by AE1X on August 17, 2004
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I found a news item of interest concerning regulator behavior yesterday. Two sentences added to a money bill in 2000. The language will permit the FCC or any other regulatory agency to ignore perfectly good science if there is any apparent doubt as to the accuracy of the data.
Chemical manufacturers have been able to keep producing dangerous chemicals because the science involved can not be repeated in the laboratory by the industry proponents. This permitted continued approval of the chemical in question. The article went on to say that this happening frequently now and will be happening even more frequently as industries learn how to use these two sentences.
In our case, BPL proponents have never provided any data to support their outrageous claims, and they are constantly calling the data presented by opponents faulty including the data generated by NTIA in their study. The FCC will be able to use this wording to exclude any data it feels is questionable in any way.
I agree, this is a worst case demonstration of an agency trying claim our fears while rolling out the red carpet for the new kid on the block.
This FCC is hell bent on rolling out this turkey.
Ken
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RE: FCC OET Letter to Congressman Vitter
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by WB2WIK on August 17, 2004
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N5LB, good job!
Uncle has already received numerous complaints from hams, and more letters from worried hams who have nothing specific to complain about yet, and that's a good thing.
We probably need to avalanche them in letters, and I have little doubt that old fashioned, hard-copy snail mail will be more effective than e-mail could ever be. Everyone should put pen to paper (okay, that's a bit old fashioned...how about ink jet cartridge to paper?) and write. Often.
WB2WIK/6
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RE: FCC OET Letter to Congressman Vitter
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by NN6EE on August 17, 2004
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WIK,
Unfortunately the present administration is DC is only concerned about one thing and that's $$$$!!! Now remember they have'nt hesistated to ship decent paying American jobs overseas in name of the ALMIGHTY DOLLAR, nor have they done ANYTHING about importing "Illegals" into this country to work @ lower wages to make Business-owners here estatic!!!
I really don't think our OWN elected officials give a damn about we VOTERS once they're in office as they too seem to go off on their OWN agenda!!!
Jim/nn6ee
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RE: FCC OET Letter to Congressman Vitter
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by KY1V on August 17, 2004
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Jim, (NN6EE)
I think you are misinformed about the Administration shipping jobs overseas.
Outsourcing jobs is a growing trend in America as businesses try to find ways to reduce expenese.
As an example, take a look at my industry, web hosting. Dozens of web hosting companies are outsourcing their technical support to companies in India. Why? Simply because it is cheaper and they are just as qualified, if not more qualified. I know, I researched the idea for my company. Fortunately, although I am a conservative republican, I am still a patriot and believe in giving Americans jobs.
One must wonder, however, why I should pay an American $75,000 to $100,000 a year when I can get four workers from India to do the same job and they are just as qualified. This would provide me around the clock coverage plus an extra shift for what I currently pay for an single 8 hour shift from an American worker.
Companies in my industry are finding it is not only cheaper to outsource, but they eliminate, vacation costs, sick time, holidays (which hosting companies don't get the liberty of taking off for the day), missed work loss of productivity, not to mention workers compensation claims.
Believe me, I am not at all for outsourcing jobs to other countries, but you have to look at the economics of it and ask yourself...what's wrong with this picture?
I apologize, as this is off-topic, but when I see a misinformed post that blames an Administration for issues it did not create, something must be said about it.
There should be a way to start a new thread for stuff like this...LOL.
Anyone need a technical job? Now hiring Americans!
David ~ KY1V
ASPwebhosting.com
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RE: FCC OET Letter to Congressman Vitter
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by AA4PB on August 17, 2004
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My congressman got a nearly identical letter from the FCC when I wrote. Only the name was changed. The FCC has a form letter response even for congressmen. Even so, if they get enough inquires they may think a bit more before taking final action.
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RE: FCC OET Letter to Congressman Vitter
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by AE1X on August 17, 2004
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In an earlier post, I mentioned a news article. Well, I just looked up the link:
http://story.news.yahoo.com/news?tmpl=story&cid=1803&e=3&u=/washpost/20040816/pl_washpost/a3733_2004aug15
This should be interesting reading and a clear indication of where the FCC will go should the BPL proponents raise this as an issue considering all the data that has been compiled that points to serious interference.
Ken
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RE: FCC OET Letter to Congressman Vitter
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by N8CH on August 18, 2004
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Snail Mail going to DC is all sent off for cleansing since the Anthrax scare. It might not get there til next year.
E-mail is much faster.
just my $.02
chuck N8CH
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RE: FCC OET Letter to Congressman Vitter
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by KB1LKR on August 18, 2004
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Or Federal Express, UPS, and other overnight package/letter services. It gets their fast, you know when it arrives, and it *stands out* in the pile of correspondance, though at somewhat higher cost for a 1 or 2 page letter.
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FCC OET Letter to Congressman Vitter
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by N5LB on August 18, 2004
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I find that FAX to a Congressman's local office works well. Also the USPS priority mail to DC is effective. Based on my experience, if you can establish and maintain communications with the local office manager you have a much better chance of getting to the representative.
I have a bit of an advantage in that Vitter is in the midst of run for the Senate from La. which makes his office particularly sensitive to constituents and potential constituents. Nevertheless, under any circumstances its valuable to work with Congress.
Unfortunately, they have no shortage of fiascos to be concerned about, BPL is only a minor one on a national scale, unless we elevate it to prominence by our letters.
Good luck with your letters and I hope your congressmen are responsive and helpful. If not, campaign against them and then vote against them. Get as many people as possible to vote against them. Thats always been my plan, and a number of politicians who probably think they have my vote in their pocket may be surprised in November at how many votes I take with me.
Cheers
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RE: FCC OET Letter to Congressman Vitter
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by AB5XZ on August 18, 2004
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Maybe some of our Congressmen would get together (in a public hearing) with the FCC Chairman and ask him why he is engaging in *ex parte* presentations from BPL vendors and operators without putting notice of the presentation in the record of the (still open) proceeding. This is against FCC rules and (probably) illegal, even for the Chairman. FCC staffers are more conscientious about *ex parte*. I guess the Chairman's enthusiasm for BPL has gotten the best of him.
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RE: FCC OET Letter to Congressman Vitter
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by K5XS on August 18, 2004
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Jim/NN6EE,
At the risk of continuing this as a poloitical discussion, I can't help but ask exactly what policies or practices "the present administration in DC" has implemented that "ship jobs overseas"? As someone else pointed out, that's what business does, not what an admilistration does.
"Now remember they have'nt hesistated to ship decent paying American jobs overseas in name of the ALMIGHTY DOLLAR"
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RE: Off Topic
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by KT0DD on August 18, 2004
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As I work for a prominent Social Services organization, I can speak with some knowledge on the "Outsourcing & Downsizing" issues as I see the results everyday by having to help displaced workers with food boxes, clothing vouchers etc. I don't care how much corporations claim it is helping them by outsourcing American jobs. They use the excuse that it helps them be competitive in the "Global Market" but what about right here in the USA? The "NEW" jobs are paying $7000-$9000 less annually than the ones they replace! No wonder the working class is limiting their spending in the current economy.
I don't care what the excuse, Cheap goods and services from India, China, Mexico, etc. won't do the U.S. consumer base any good if Americans won't have the income to buy the "Cheaper" goods. It's the selling out of America is what it is. 73.
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RE: FCC OET Letter to Congressman Vitter
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by W9PMZ on August 18, 2004
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Jim/NN6EE:
Where have you been? Outsourcing has been going on for years now!
Who's responsible? Probably you and me; not to mention all the rest of us Americans.
Where has Drake, Hallicrafters, etc. gone? Kenwood, ICOM, Yeasu?
Are you going to buy a $40 DVD player made in Korea; or a $100 DVD player made in the USA (if there were one)?
And what about your brand new car? Maybe the final assembly was done in Detroit, but where were the sub assemblies made?
Why it's such an issue this year I don't know. I guess you have to invent a bad guy to blame.......
73,
Carl - W9PMZ
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RE: FCC OET Letter to Congressman Vitter
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by NN6EE on August 18, 2004
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Gentlemen,
Some points well taken BUT why did'nt Companies move overseas years ago??? The Admistration presently HAS encouraged U.S. companies to move even going so far as to HELP subsidize those moves at "Worker/Tax-payer" expense. Besides even Congress, who could but has'nt, stemmed the outgoing tide of decent jobs. And has'nt anyone else noticed that INFLATION and the cost of living are sky-rocketing while wages are either static or DROPPING??? The gap between "Haves" & "Have-Nots" is widening even more quickley, but no one seems to be paying any attention to that social dilemma either!!!
Jim/ee
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RE: FCC OET Letter to Congressman Vitter
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by AB8TM on August 18, 2004
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Certainly a "shoulder shrugging response."
To people who are naive to this issue it probably represents something totally different. For those of us following the issue very closely it is just more of the same.
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RE: FCC OET Letter to Congressman Vitter
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by KY1V on August 19, 2004
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Jim/NN6EE
"The gap between "Haves" & "Have-Nots" is widening even more quickley, but no one seems to be paying any attention to that social dilemma either!!! "
This isn't anyone's fault but the Have-Nots! The opportunity is there. Build a product, develop a service and go out and convince people to pay you for it!
I know, I used to be a "Have-Not" that struggled just to buy some used ham gear. I went to work, took my breaks, came home at 5 o'clock and operated the radio until I went to bed. That's what I wanted to do.
Then, about 7 years ago, I decided I wanted to be a "Haves".
I now work 11-13 hours a day (in the beginning 14-18) and have an Icom 7800 and an Alpha 87A in front of me with a 140' rotating tower.
Sometimes I stare at the radio all day on my desk while I am selling and never turn it on. Other days I grab a spot off the cluster and work it and sometimes I call CQ at odd hours of the day.
The point being is there is a difference between the Haves that work their butt off and the have-nots that can't wait to get home and have a beer and watch married with children.
We each make our own GAP! Which side of it do you want to be on?
;-)
David ~ KY1V
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RE: FCC OET Letter to Congressman Vitter
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by W9PMZ on August 19, 2004
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Jim/NN6EE
Jobs have been moving outside this country for years and the reason is that why pay an American worker $40 per hour (labor and load) a year to build, shoes, TVs, clothing, telephones, steel (and the list goes on), when you can pay a worker $2 per hour (labor and load) somewhere else? A business owner who is trying to market these good within America cannot compete selling products at a cost structure that the American people themselves won't pay for.
And why are they now moving corporte headquarters off shore? I'm not sure, but I'll bet it's burried in an economic equation. If the administration is encouraging this behavior, do you have specific examples?
Social Delimma? Perhaps. What to do? I don't have the answers. I can tell you this, this country helped provide me with the economic means to put me where I am at now. Those means are out there for everyone to take advantage of. My workplace is one of the most diverse I have ever worked in. This tells me that there is opportunity for all those who sieze it.
Quit being one of the doom and gloom crowd and sieze the opportunity that this country has to offer!
73,
Carl - W9PMZ
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RE: Off topic.
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by KT0DD on August 19, 2004
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>This isn't anyone's fault but the Have-Nots! The opportunity is there. Build a product, develop a service and go out and convince people to pay you for it!
>Those means are out there for everyone to take advantage of.
<g> Kind of reminds me of the stories my parents used to tell me about walking 10 miles to school everyday, feet wrapped in newspaper, and it was uphill both ways.
Face it, some will get lucky in small business, but if it were really that simple as posted here, everybody would be a "Have" already, and there would be no "Have nots". Not everyone is cut out to be an "Entrepenur(sp?)"
And believe me, I'm not afraid of hard work. I spent 20+ years in the oilfield service industry with the associated 84+ hr work weeks, no family time or time off when it's busy. (12 hrs a day turns into 16 hrs real easy) Handling thousands of tons of iron drillpipe and drill collars daily. Thank God I still have a back left. Even these companies are cutting back compensation or hiring undocumented workers now. But they look real good for the "Gamblers" on "Wall Street" with their PROFITS. They're not scraping by nearly as bad as they're crying.
Oh well off to another topic. Go ahead and flame away. It seems to be peoples favorite thing to do on here. (Asbestos suit on!) 73.
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RE: Off topic.
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by AB5XZ on August 19, 2004
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"Shipping jobs overseas" happens regardless of who's in power. It's economic, nothing else. If I were a radiologist, I would look for a new specialty. If I were telecommuting (i.e., working from home) 4 days a week, I would look for a new line of work.
But, as my wife's friend (who is from a country that receives a lot of outsourced work) says, "Where will it stop? When business finds people who will work for free, of course."
What this sub-thread has to do with the FCC and BPL and Congress, I haven't a clue.
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RE: Off topic.
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by KY1V on August 19, 2004
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KT0DD Says...
'Face it, some will get lucky in small business, but if it were really that simple as posted here, everybody would be a "Have" already, and there would be no "Have nots". Not everyone is cut out to be an "Entrepenur(sp?)" '
Is it really luck?
I tried 5 unsuccessful businesses before this "lucky" one! It took me years to "get lucky". I tend to think it is perseverance.
Perseverance is also the way we will triumph over BPL.
That's my lame attempt at getting back "on-topic"
;)
David ~ KY1V
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FCC OET Letter to Congressman Vitter
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by AB5WG on August 20, 2004
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I wrote to the President and my letter got forwarded to Thomas for a reply. I got exactly the same response almost verbatim on the letter. It is a form letter!!!
Let's face it guys, we have been sold out by the President, the FCC and the League.
BPL is the President's baby, Michael Powell was appointed by the President! The FCC has no intention of enforcing interference complaints on BPL, check their actions to date! The League will not get political or hostile on this subject--they are way to conservative and buried behind their spectrum analyzers. We have been screwed!
This is a time for political action. Get in your congressman's face now! Expose this sham for what it is and work for a change in leadership.
Remember that a vote for Bush is a vote for BPL. It is coming to a pole in your back yard sooner than you think. Vote for a change in November--at least we will get new FCC commissioners who might turn things around.
While you are at it call the League and thank them for their valiant but totally ineffective fight for our spectrum. Encourage them to use the same tactics on the next spectrum grab!
You have a choice with the League also--vote for new leadership, clean house in the next election. Any director or section manager allowing this to happen on their watch should not be allowed to hold office any longer!
Put your HF gear on eBay today. Prices will be falling significantly in the next few months!
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FCC OET Letter to Congressman Vitter
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by HAMDUDE on August 20, 2004
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Write all the letters you want, BPL is still coming to a utility pole near you. We can only hope it dies from its own shortcomings before it catches on like the plague. Perhaps the other internet service providers will view this as a threat and lower their rates. This can benefit us all in the long run. I cant see how BPL stands any chance against better present technologies that dont pollute the air with RFI.
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RE: FCC OET Letter to Congressman Vitter
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by AB5XZ on August 20, 2004
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Look on the ARRL web site for a letter written to the FCC complaining about interference in Cottonwood, AZ, if you think ARRL isn't doing anything about BPL.
ARRL's General Counsel, Mr. Imlay, wrote a very forceful letter on behalf of the hams in Arizona. It is backed up by field measurements by ARRL lab manager Ed Hare. The letter points out that the power company, the vendor, and the FCC have been ignoring violations of the power company's temporary license. It also points out that FCC is unresponsive to the complaints. That letter will be hard for FCC to answer if called before Congress.
Remember that the FCC is made up of five political appointees, three of whom are Republicans. Each Commissioner has a vote (and can write a dissenting opinion) in any proceeding. I have seen no indication from ANY Commissioner, R or D, of any disagreement with the BPL juggernaut.
73TomAB5XZ
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RE: FCC OET Letter to Congressman Vitter
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by K5XS on August 21, 2004
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AB5WG: "Remember that a vote for Bush is a vote for BPL."
Good grief.
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RE: FCC OET Letter to Congressman Vitter
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by WB5HAK on August 22, 2004
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I don't think the FCC took any real time with this letter, as I have one that is identical in response to an email I sent Senator Don Nickles. Only differences are the names are inserted by the word processor!! Ignored my points, and said the same jargon. So much for wasting our time.
73,
Don, WB5HAK
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RE: FCC OET Letter to Congressman Vitter
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by AB5XZ on August 27, 2004
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I wrote to Tom Delay, who is my Congressman (TX 22nd District) as well as being House Majority Leader. I asked him to get Chairman Powell to explain why in this case the FCC put itself in the role of "cheerleader" rather than "objective judge". I also pointed out that the Commissioners appeared to be violating Federal law and the Commission's own rules by engaging in "ex parte" presentations, and not properly reporting them.
Of course, I know that the Honorable Mr. Delay works by his own rules, so I don't expect much of a response from my letter.
But it might help - who knows?
73TomAB5XZ
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RE: FCC OET Letter to Congressman Vitter
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by AB5XZ on August 27, 2004
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I wrote to Tom Delay, who is my Congressman (TX 22nd District) as well as being House Majority Leader. I asked him to get Chairman Powell to explain why in this case the FCC put itself in the role of "cheerleader" rather than "objective judge". I also pointed out that the Commissioners appeared to be violating Federal law and the Commission's own rules by engaging in "ex parte" presentations, and not properly reporting them.
Of course, I know that the Honorable Mr. Delay works by his own rules, so I don't expect much of a response from my letter.
But it might help - who knows?
73TomAB5XZ
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