RadioBanter - View Single Post - BPL Pilot Project In Cedar Rapids Shuts Down

July 7th 04, 09:39 PM

In article ,
(William) writes:

If the Access BPL system does not radiate incidental RF beyond
FCC regulations, the FCC is powerless to do anything about an
Access BPL system.

They assume that it always will, thus the FCC can and will shut it down.

There's been the tacit, but erroneous, assumption that the FCC can
control BPL. It does not. All it can do, if the NPRM goes through,
is to recognize it exists and to set levels of incidental RF radiation
from BPL.

Even if there is an over-regulation level of incidental RF radiation, the
FCC is hardly likely to "shut anything down."

The FCC has taken NO action to "shut down" electric power utilities
for producing random RF noise from power lines.

The FCC has taken NO action to "shut down" the manufacture of
those so-called wireless or carrier-current telephone jack devices
even though some radiate beyond Part 15 limits.

The FCC has taken NO action to "shut down" the manufacture of
many different RF-emitting devices ranging from high-efficiency lamp
units to wireless doorbells due to excessive Part 15 radiation.

All the FCC has done is to threaten and, in a few rare cases,
fined individuals (in or out of ham radio) and corporations (notably
in broadcasting) a nominal amount. FCC's Media Bureau and the
"enforcement bureau" recently jumped the levied fine amounts for
broadcasting infractions...but that was largely due to more of the
citizenry accessing the FCC lately and getting angry at them. The
FCC has generally been rather out of touch with the mainstream of
America during most of its 70 year life.

So far, the singular case of the Cedar Rapids Access BPL test site
departure remains the only important event. That largely because
of a concerted effort by local radio amateurs in that city. That group
should be applauded and cheered. But are they?

No. The newsgroup gurus, renowned absolutely correct experts
that they are (according to their prodigious word output), want to
salute the ARRL instead "for keeping up the fight" (in ephemeral
words)...or try to say the gurus were "right all along" because it is
"a failed system that will never succeed." :-)

A few guru growlers simply snarl and point fingers in here, doing
nothing outside of the newsgroup, just looking for arguments and
a freedom to mean-mouth their "enemies." :-)

Too bad there couldn't have been a true discussion on this topic.
Too many old wounds from previous topics are still festering and
those wounded feel the League should always triumph.

LHA / WMD