By Gloria R. Lalumia
BuzzFlash

....Shortwave radio is in many ways the last of our untarnished resources. As
Americans, we have always been taught and told that it is our freedom that
makes us strong and separates us from everybody else. When it comes to news
and information, our desire to have the freedom to choose from a wide array
of media and media channels is no different.
Shortwave radio represents a cost-effective and easily accessible means for
all Americans to get global news straight from the source, a claim that no
other technology can make. If this access was denied or impeded in any way,
and Americans left with less media choices or channels, then our right to
freedom of the press would be unfairly and unacceptably compromised...

--Eton/Grundig Corporation statement on FCC's Broadband-Over-Powerline
Policy, November 14, 20031
* * *

See long article at
http://www.buzzflash.com/contributor.../con04238.html

Useful links:

Key Information
The ARRL web page devoted to BPL is crammed with information and news
stories about BPL. Explore this whole page---industry links, reports, tests,
and news stories about the test areas here in the US. This page will offer
the reader a clear understanding of the ramifications of BPL.
http://www.arrl.org/tis/info/HTML/plc
* *

This page also has a section of Audio examples of the type of interference
BPL causes from the US and overseas tests. I've included one easy to use
link to audio studies in Japan (uses RealPlayer). The samples are taken from
tests run in apartments and houses. Listening to these audio examples are
truly "ear-opening."
http://www.jarl.or.jp/English/0-2.htm
* *

The NTIA (National Telecommunications & Information Administration, Dept. of
Commerce) and the Subcommittee on Telecommunications & the Internet

The NTIA is the President's principal advisor on telecom and information
policy. Its warnings about BLP are apparently being ignored, which is par
for the course.

The last day for comment is June 1.

Direct Link to FCC comment page on BPL

http://gullfoss2.fcc.gov/ecfs/Upload...26%7C04-37%7CB...
REPORT on the May 19, 2004 hearing from AARL4

http://www.arrl.org/news/stories/2004/05/20/1 /

BPL Industry Official Disputes NTIA Report in Congressional Hearing

Excerpt:
"Responding to a question from New Hampshire Republican Charles Bass,
Birnbaum said the BPL industry would be pleased if Congress could provide
tax or financial incentives, especially for improving the power grid. He
said utilities have not explored the broadband market in the past because
some companies had bad experiences and the technology was not feasible five
years ago.

Birnbaum suggested, too, that while utilities are slow to act, they will
begin to deploy BPL systems over the next year or two. The biggest issue, he
said, is the incentive for utilities to invest in broadband technology."