Could Broadband Over Power Lines be Dangerous?

falconfighter writes " Broadband over Powerlines, once touted as the solution to many internet problems (developing 3rd world countries, etc.) has a new hazard. The system basically involves putting high amounts of modulated RF on a power line. The Amateur Radio Relay League has the most informative page on the topic. The hazards include exceeding MPE (maximum permissable exposure), RF burns, and disrupting the HF bands of radio. This last one would also work in reverse, meaning hams, airplanes, or the military keying up their radios could take out large areas of internet service (with airplanes, potentially over several hundred miles)."

Comments

Re: Lets hope someone takes a wise decision

[NDPTAL85]

NGO's are INCREDIBLY annoying with their constnat incessant whinning against globalization and capitalism.

Not much is ever said about the fact that most NGO's are staffed by spoiled first worlders who feel some sort of guilt for having been born in a wealthy nation but anyways anything that interferes in the daily business of an NGO is good in my mind.

DOSing

[chendo]

So what would happen if one tried to (D)DOS SCO? Would it fry them into oblivion so they can go to Hell to sue Satan for using the letter "S"?

Ham Radio vs. The network

[logicnazi]

Okay, so there might be some interferance to ham radio or other radio sources. Sure, we would have to make sure that emergency radio services if affected were moved. Other than this so what?

Which is more important the 10,000 people who want to use ham radio to talk with truckers in wisconsin or highspeed access to the worldwide network? Protecting Ham Radio for interference is like holding up progress for the people who still watch black and white TVs.

Nearly everyone is connected to the internet now. We have portable internet devices that could be lugged around instead of Ham Radio. If people are really that nostalgic for radio I'm sure someone could put together an IRC type app for voice communication with simulated static etc.. etc..

I can't believe we would hold up such an important service for millions for a few hobbyists!