Hams Complain about Powerline Broadband

dwm writes "Think broadband over power lines (BPL) would be wonderful? There might be some collateral damage. The American Radio Relay League (your friendly neighborhood ham radio operators) have documented dramatic HF radio interference in areas where BPL is being tested (Check out the video of actual interference)."

Comments

Ham radio users

[trippinonbsd]

How many people still rely on ham radio? Why havent they moved over to something a little more modern? Does ham radio have any advantages over current technology?

Re:Ham radio users

[ForestGrump]

Being a ham myself...
Ever go camping and think..
"I'll bring my cell phone and if an emergency happens, I can call for help."

Well welcome to the world of "modern technology". Cell phones are great. I admit it. My mother can find me pratically any place, anywhere. Car breaks down in the middle of the highway, I can call AAA for a tow truck. Etc.

However, cell phones magically don't work when there is no network.

So if you went camping in the mountains, or your on a remote strip of road and there is no cell network, GOOD LUCK!
A ham radio, not being network dependent, you can put out a call for help (and hope that someone is listening on the other end.) Atleast with a HAM, your chances of finding help infinately higher.

Now what else can ham radios do?
-Ham radios have great range. using something like 0.5 watts of power, I can talk to a friend a mile away. (go to same high school) Using 5 watts of power (typical for a hand heald), I can talk to someone else 10-15 miles away without trouble.

Also, I can drive around in a car, talk to someone when I'm driving to and from work without running a fatty cell phone bill.

So yes. I, being a HAM op, have moved to something more modern (cell phone), however, I still prefer to use the ham in the car (saves cell phone mins).

HOpe this post helps.
-Grump.

Re:Ham radio users - ampr.org

[Cerlyn]

That would be ampr.org, the 44.* subnet on the Internet.

Of course, it is largely isolated from the main Internet, since there are a lot of restrictions as to what can be done with Amateur Radio (no commercial use, no swearing, etc.) as opposed to the Internet at large.

International Treaties

[Detritus]

Have the proponents of BPL considered that it may be a violation of international treaties governing the use and allocation of the RF spectrum? If I want to put an HF transmitter on the air, I must obtain a license from my country's radio administration, who in turn is required to follow international treaties that say what frequencies and emission types are available for specific classes of users. There are bands reserved for broadcasting, ships, aircraft, amateur radio, etc.