Tuvok9
Rangcor The Great
Premium
join:2004-03-04
Fairview Heights, IL
clubs:
| HAM Radios and Power line Broadband
Ham radio operations have been using a wireless frequency to communicate with other operators. but since the onset of Broadband more people are using it and now dsl over the power lines is available the Ham operators do not want it to continue because more people will flock to the broadband. leaving less operators for ham radios. |
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kruser
Premium
join:2002-06-01
Chesterfield, MO
clubs:
 ·AT&T Southwest
| That's the stupidist thing I've heard yet today.
Ham's need to communicate with many people in areas that broadband does not even exist. Like disaster areas.
So if BPL is causing interference then these communications won't be able to take place. |
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K McAleavey
Premium
join:2003-11-12
Voorheesville, NY
| MUST concur here - been decades since I went for "ONE way radio" myself (former broadcaster, forgive me) ... but as a former active HAM, there's no greater joy beyond getting that "worked all countries" certificate from ARRL than being able to "key up" because there's a hole in the chatter that YOU can actually say something. One of my GREATEST joys as a kid was working Barry Goldwater in the middle of the night and carrying on meaningful conversations with him. And back in the 1960's, getting the opportunity to light up the final was a RARE one indeed. 
Somehow, I don't think hams miss the idle banter that passes for "conversation" on the internet. Heh. "Quality, not quantity." My FCC First Class supercedes. 73's DE
WA2SVJ, calling CQ ... and BUGGER the utilities - Collins finals can backfeed the grid. (grin)
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Kevin McAleavey support@nsclean.comhttp://www.nsclean.com/ |
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gurugordon
join:2004-03-24
Sunbury, PA
| reply to Tuvok9
said by Rangcor:
Ham radio operations have been using a wireless frequency to communicate with other operators. but since the onset of Broadband more people are using it and now dsl over the power lines is available the Ham operators do not want it to continue because more people will flock to the broadband. leaving less operators for ham radios.
What a ludicrous statement to make. All you have done is expose your total ignorance about Amateur Radio. However, that is not even the issue here. The WSJ has done its readers a grave disservice with this piece, sidetracking the major issues in the process. Concerns about BPL are not only being expressed by Hams. FEMA, NTIA, Civil Aviation, Broadcasters, among others, have all stated their reservations about the threats posed to the HF radio spectrum by this system, and its undoubted potential to threaten life, homeland security and property by blanking out critical communications.
The questions that should have been asked are the ones mentioned by Forbes - the untried technology, the politics behind the FCC decision to jump shamelessly into bed with BPL, the limited potential in a market place already filled with established and successful alternatives, the lukewarm enthusiasm of power companies who have already suffered from burnt fingers following a previous failed attempt to embrace Internet technology, and last but by no means least, the distinct possibility of a lousy ROI. |
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rf_engineer
join:2003-08-04
USA
| reply to Tuvok9
said by Tuvok9  :
Ham radio operations have been using a wireless frequency to communicate with other operators. but since the onset of Broadband more people are using it and now dsl over the power lines is available the Ham operators do not want it to continue because more people will flock to the broadband. leaving less operators for ham radios.
Wow, this is really out there. Considering hams are more tech oriented that most people, it's likely that there's a higher percentage of hams with broadband access than the general public. The Internet in general has enhanced ham radio through discussions, websites, and the development and exchange of ham radio related software and material. The Internet also is a key enabler of new technologies like software defined radios. As President of our local Amateur Radio club, I've got more potential hams through websites and email than any other means.
If Ham Radio was truly against broadband, we would have stopped DSL, Wireless Broadband, and Cable but you won't find any opposition from us. It's the interference from BPL we oppose, not broadband. Come up with an interference-free BPL and we're on board. Unfortunately that's impossible with the HF BPL that we're talking about.
There is an alternative microwave high speed BPL that doesn't have the interference issues, but the FCC has apparently ignored it and it's likely that investors in the doomed HF BPL technology aren't too happy about it. Despite the evidence against BPL and the public outcry, the FCC continues to march on with broadband fool's gold destined to pollute the airwaves and destroy uniquely capable wireless spectrum with a wired network. If the FCC was caretaker of the Sistine Chapel, they'd be painting the ceiling with purple colored latex paint right now because it would brighten up the place and street vendors said it would look nice. |
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Rusty_Sklfrd
join:2004-03-24
Ormond Beach, FL
| reply to Tuvok9
Ham radio operations have been using a wireless frequency to communicate with other operators. but since the onset of Broadband more people are using it and now dsl over the power lines is available the Ham operators do not want it to continue because more people will flock to the broadband. leaving less operators for ham radios. That comment was spoken in pure ignorance. The Amateur Radio community makes use of broadband internet services as much as anyone else does. In addition to the usual email/bulletin postings, DX Spotting activities, etc, ham operators world wide are linking VHF/UHF repeaters and simplex gateways through VOIP networks which absolutely requires a solid broadband internet backbone. There are also remoted HF stations that hams utilize 24 hours a day which also require broadband internet service.
BPL has been banned in various countries around the world because of the interference issue, federal US agencies have made official comments to the FCC that BPL will cause irreperable harm to emergency communications, etc etc. What more has to be said!? Until such time that the utility companies fix the service so it doesn't intentionally interfere (sorry, I don't buy that it is merely violating existing unintentional interference regs, they know it interferes - it is no longer a question) with a broad cross section of the HF spectrum it should be stopped. |
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rf_engineer
join:2003-08-04
USA
| reply to gurugordon
said by gurugordon :
The WSJ has done its readers a grave disservice with this piece, sidetracking the major issues in the process. Concerns about BPL are not only being expressed by Hams. FEMA, NTIA, Civil Aviation, Broadcasters, among others, have all stated their reservations about the threats posed to the HF radio spectrum by this system, and its undoubted potential to threaten life, homeland security and property by blanking out critical communications.
I'll say the WSJ really messed up. You think they would have dug deeper and explored the business model and found its shortcomings, especially in rural areas. The FCC and proponents claiming the interference problem is solved, but a quick car ride with equipment shows otherwise. Digging deeper, the implications of allowing a radiating broadband network with was is arguably outdated Part 15 regulations. And, as you mention, the public safety communications issues raised. A clever piece could have tied this in to the 800Mhz interference FCC debacle. But instead the focus became Amateur Radio stereotypes....or is that what investors base their decisions on these days ? |
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w2co
join:2003-07-16
Longmont, CO
|  reply to Tuvok9
This is an all time new one! DSL over the power lines?
These are the types who believe all that the BPL companies tell them, and know absolutely nothing about anything to do with it, and then they will even make comments openly publishing their complete incompetence. I think there are people like this in the FCC too... |
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ifarrell
join:2000-08-10
Willow Spring, NC
 ·Vonage
edit:
March 24th, @03:48PM
| reply to Tuvok9
said by Tuvok9 :
Ham radio operations have been using a wireless frequency to communicate with other operators. but since the onset of Broadband more people are using it and now dsl over the power lines is available the Ham operators do not want it to continue because more people will flock to the broadband. leaving less operators for ham radios.
Are you on drugs?????
That's the stupidest bass ackwards statement ever made on this forum IMHO. |
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rf_engineer
join:2003-08-04
USA
| said by ifarrell :
said by Tuvok9 :
leaving less operators for ham radios.
Are you on drugs?????
That's the stupidest bass ackwards statement ever made on this forum IMHO.
Hey, let's not forget some of the other past off-the-wall forum suggestions and comments:
- A national "off switch" for BPL to use during disasters
- When the power goes out, so will the interference so you have nothing to worry about
- Why do you need ham radio when there's Internet audio streaming
- Angry teenagers will vandalize ham stations when their broadband goes down
- I never heard anyone on the air, so ham radio must be dead
- Everyone is on satellites now
- Cell phones can blah blah blah
- We can light up every outlet with Internet !
Oh wait, strike that last wacky comment, that was made by the FCC, not people in this forum :-D |
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Tuvok9
Rangcor The Great
Premium
join:2004-03-04
Fairview Heights, IL
clubs:
| reply to ifarrell
said by ifarrell :
said by Tuvok9 :
Ham radio operations have been using a wireless frequency to communicate with other operators. but since the onset of Broadband more people are using it and now dsl over the power lines is available the Ham operators do not want it to continue because more people will flock to the broadband. leaving less operators for ham radios.
Are you on drugs?????
That's the stupidest bass ackwards statement ever made on this forum IMHO.
Are you a Ham radio operator? |
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netscape 6
join:2002-03-07
Constantine, MI
| reply to rf_engineer
said by rf_engineer :
If Ham Radio was truly against broadband, we would have stopped DSL, Wireless Broadband, and Cable
How would you have done that? |
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rf_engineer
join:2003-08-04
USA
| said by netscape 6 :
said by rf_engineer :
If Ham Radio was truly against broadband, we would have stopped DSL, Wireless Broadband, and Cable
How would you have done that?
"Stopped" was probably a bad choice of words. "Opposed" is what I meant. Understand the underlying theme, though -- Amateurs aren't against BPL as the title of the forum suggests or the original poster claims.. We're against interference and pollution of the radio spectrum. Claims that we're against broadband are just wrong, and I challenge the original poster to find any evidence to the contrary.
Admittedly, Amateur Radio isn't going to stop BPL. I think competition, a weak business model, and carriers frustrated with interference complaints and struggles to find less interference prone spectrum will kill BPL eventually. This won't happen, though, until after several years of pain for licensed radio services and millions of dollars have been spent on BPL systems. Investing in BPL goes beyond the normal business risk associated with cutting-edge high tech investing. BPL vendors have been trying to get BPL to fly for six years. The evidence against BPL is overwhelming, and the "canary in the mine" is withering. |
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DAldredge
join:2003-11-11
Gladewater, TX
| reply to netscape 6
The same way they damn near destroyed the hobby. By over-regulating it.
If the HAMS had not been so 'picky' about who could get a HAM license (code requirements, etc) their would be a lot more people who where HAMS now and they would have a lot more political clout. But they changed their regs too late and as a result they have been losing political clout due to the falling number of people in the hobby. |
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tenbase
join:2000-07-19
Alexandria, VA
edit:
March 26th, @07:28AM
| Er, the code requirement was an international law. Hams do not set the standards for licensing, the FCC does.
Also, there are more hams today than ever before. Not only that but the barriers for entry have never been lower. This is not a new thing.
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I would kill everyone on this forum for a drop of sweet beer.. |
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