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Could Broadband Over Power Lines be Dangerous?

Posted by CmdrTaco on from the everything-else-is dept.

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)."

3 of 240 comments (clear)

  1. Laugh Test by Detritus · · Score: 5, Funny
    How did BPL ever get past the laugh test?

    "Let's put something that looks like high-power broadband RF noise on long, unshielded, untwisted power lines, suspended in the air, otherwise known as antennas."

    --
    Mea navis aericumbens anguillis abundat
  2. broadband over powerlines, it's just silly. by Saven+Marek · · Score: 5, Funny

    And quite dangerous.

    I mean, really, who expects this to work

  3. I have the power! by DARKFORCE123 · · Score: 5, Funny
    As with any other transmission medium , someone will try to adjust his/her upload/download caps.

    More voltage means more bandwidth!

    Let me just up the wattage a little bit more!

    Ahh! Ahh!

    (Slump)