View Full Version : BPL Instalation
Who told your friend this? Sounds like a BPL rep thinks he can walk on water.
Orv BPL is legal for use right now. The big ta-do on the FCC proposal was BPL wants the FCC's good graces to allow them to increase the leakage levels now permitted a sneaky way to try and dodge part 15. Please give us more info on this.
Could this be part of a ploy to file some kind of interference complaint with the purpose of getting a judge to issue some kind of initial ruling requireing the offending amateur to shut down? Maybe a move to begin the process of changing playing field concerning part 15 with the FCC standing in the wings looking on?
73
George
K3UD
I was thinking along the same lines George... Remember when it used to be legal to receive ANY transmission?? And then some senator or congressman from California "got caught" blurting out a racial slure over a mobile phone and pushed for legislation to make it a crime to receive certain transmissions such as cell phones, etc...
Now to today, currently it is the obligation of the users of Part 15 devices to rectify RFI issues... Could there be something in the pipeline to reassign responsibility??
N5CTI
01-23-2004, 04:04 PM
I dunno...Orv's report is second-hand and fairly vague at that. I'd hate to see folks start up a big conspiracy theory over this. There's no reason to believe that any BPL effort anywhere in the country isn't governed by Part 25, AFAIK. And licensed services still trump unlicensed operation.
I wouldn't get wrapped around the axle over this, Orv. It sounds like a buncha hoohah to me.
K3STX
01-23-2004, 04:26 PM
I'm not so sure he is necessarily off the mark. I live in a "BPL test site" (Potomac, MD) that presumably had the testing this fall and all went well and the tests stopped. I never noticed anything horrible.
In the past week or two things are HORRIBLE for me (and a neighbor) on the bands and he is convinced they fired up the BPL for REAL this time. He is planning to call the FCC and he/I are gonna go hunting for the source.
paul
I have no confidence in the BPL industry to play by the rules and not do things behind our back. I wonder if the previous "test" ever occurred at all.
Look for the induction units on the power poles. They are very easy to spot. In Cape Girardeau MO they were reddish in color. I only spotted two of them in the test area but the havoc that BPL caused extended over a several block area.
73
George
K3UD
You know.. I wonder if those boxes on the poles might become nesting places for rabid squirrels or some other infected critter!
having THEM in a residential neighborhood is a danger to human life!
I heard someone suggest a while back (I'm not suggesting anyone ACTUALLY DO THIS, just passing along what I heard!!http://www.qrz.com/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/wink.gif
but someone with a pellet rifle might be helping by getting those tree rats out of those nesting places. From what I heard.. you need to get 'em while they are INSIDE the boxes.. the metal cases will keep things from rattling around and the circuit guts will keep things from rebouinding too much becuase they will absorb the pellet material into whatever it is made of,.
It MAY put some of those boxes off line.. but is that too high a price to pay for ridding the neighborhood of infected 'tree rats'?
After all some BPL box can be replaced.. and infected human who dies can't be!
Plus I'm SURE the BPL folks would like you to help keep their BPL boxes FREE of tree rat infestations, wouldn't they?
http://www.qrz.com/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/biggrin.gif
ki4bgo
01-23-2004, 09:02 PM
High-gain directional antenna driven by a legal-limit amp running "WIDE-OPEN" http://www.qrz.com/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/wow.gif should solve your BPL problem! http://www.qrz.com/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/wink.gif
KC0OFZ
01-24-2004, 06:19 PM
</span><table border="0" align="center" width="95%" cellpadding="3" cellspacing="1"><tr><td>Quote (K6UEY @ Jan. 23 2004,04:22)</td></tr><tr><td id="QUOTE">.... My friend was informed that any Hams who interfere with the system will be immediately shut down and not allowed on the air.....[/QUOTE]<span id='postcolor'>
So now these BPL boneheads think they own the entire specturm? #To that jack ass I say I will be doing a lot of talking with a beam pointed right at their precious power lines. #1.5 KW here we come http://www.qrz.com/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/biggrin.gif
k9zmd
01-25-2004, 06:16 AM
Odd that I can look off my balcony onto the rooftops of Lancaster, but I have to find out on qrz.com that the BPL devil has snuck in there. #Could have happened, mind you, but sure a surprise to me. # I'll check on it.
Meanwhile, you could take a look at the December (http://www.avarc.av.org/newsletter/PDF/Dec2003.pdf) and January (http://www.avarc.av.org/newsletter/PDF/Jan2004.pdf) issues of "The Short Circuit", newsletter of the Antelope Valley ARC. #BPL is mentioned there, but nothing to suggest any immediate threat to Lancaster (home of the AVARC).
Gary, K9ZMD
Palmdale, CA
k6pme
01-25-2004, 07:25 AM
</span><table border="0" align="center" width="95%" cellpadding="3" cellspacing="1"><tr><td>Quote (KC0OFZ @ Jan. 24 2004,11:19)</td></tr><tr><td id="QUOTE"></span><table border="0" align="center" width="95%" cellpadding="3" cellspacing="1"><tr><td>Quote (K6UEY @ Jan. 23 2004,04:22)</td></tr><tr><td id="QUOTE">.... My friend was informed that any Hams who interfere with the system will be immediately shut down and not allowed on the air.....[/QUOTE]<span id='postcolor'>
So now these BPL boneheads think they own the entire specturm? #To that jack ass I say I will be doing a lot of talking with a beam pointed right at their precious power lines. #1.5 KW here we come http://www.qrz.com/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/biggrin.gif[/QUOTE]<span id='postcolor'>
That sound's like an over zealous rep to me.
But then when it comes to the almighty dollar where do you think HAM's stand?
I do like the idea of wide open amps and directional antenna's though....... http://www.qrz.com/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/biggrin.gif
</span><table border="0" align="center" width="95%" cellpadding="3" cellspacing="1"><tr><td>Quote (KG6QQL @ Jan. 25 2004,00:25)</td></tr><tr><td id="QUOTE">But then when it comes to the almighty dollar where do you think HAM's stand?[/QUOTE]<span id='postcolor'>
In the way!
Cortland
</span><table border="0" align="center" width="95%" cellpadding="3" cellspacing="1"><tr><td>Quote (KC0OFZ @ Jan. 23 2004,12:19)</td></tr><tr><td id="QUOTE"></span><table border="0" align="center" width="95%" cellpadding="3" cellspacing="1"><tr><td>Quote (K6UEY @ Jan. 23 2004,04:22)</td></tr><tr><td id="QUOTE">.... My friend was informed that any Hams who interfere with the system will be immediately shut down and not allowed on the air.....[/QUOTE]<span id='postcolor'>
So now these BPL boneheads think they own the entire specturm? #To that jack ass I say I will be doing a lot of talking with a beam pointed right at their precious power lines. #1.5 KW here we come http://www.qrz.com/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/biggrin.gif[/QUOTE]<span id='postcolor'>
The solution was good for a laugh
However, I'm afraid applying this solution would only result in some bone head convincing the FCC we should not be allowed to run as much power.
K8ERV
02-02-2004, 12:18 PM
My pellet gun has a small chemical charge in it!! http://www.qrz.com/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/wow.gif
TOM K8ERV
KI4BOO
02-02-2004, 02:27 PM
Get on the air and trip the system, is what I say. Make them have to come back and reset it again, and again, and again... and then make them come back and do it again.
Sooner or later, they will realize they need to work on their system a little bit more before it's ready to be used!
Good luck to the BPL company that sets up next to the 10kW Freebander's station. http://www.qrz.com/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/tounge.gif Maybe those guys could be our best friends in this?
</span><table border="0" align="center" width="95%" cellpadding="3" cellspacing="1"><tr><td>Quote </td></tr><tr><td id="QUOTE">KI4BOO Posted on Feb. 02 2004,10:27
Good luck to the BPL company that sets up next to the 10kW Freebander's station. Maybe those guys could be our best friends in this? [/QUOTE]<span id='postcolor'>
Or a Broadcast Station, or a Police Station, or a . . . . The list goes on and on ! http://www.qrz.com/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/biggrin.gif
73 from Jim
</span><table border="0" align="center" width="95%" cellpadding="3" cellspacing="1"><tr><td>Quote (K6UEY @ Feb. 02 2004,04:41)</td></tr><tr><td id="QUOTE">Local Hams who come on the air have been tripping the system off, causing the crew to come out and enable a reset. Comments have been as little as a 2 meter transmitter can trip the system.
More Info as I get it......[/QUOTE]<span id='postcolor'>
Interesting piece of information.
I would guess that that radio equiped public safety vehicles could trip it as routing transmissions are made, maybe cell phone relays, close broadcast stations, CBers, kids with FRS radios and maybe even arcing powerlines. I wonder what kind of Field strength is needed to cause the system to trip out.
73
George
K3UD
Hey, here's a thought
Let's take a collection and get all the kids in the area FRS radios
Set them loose, trip all the boxes they want, and maybe even get them interested in radios!
OMG!! The deliciousness of the opportunity presented hams in CA is one that you all shoudl take advantage of!
I AM NOT SAYING ANYONE SHOULD DO THIS.. But the idea is a delicious one to ponder...
(Disclaimer.. I am neither promoting, suggesting, or in any way shape or form publicly noting that ANY should DO what I am about to describe. It's just a fantasy of mine that I thought you all would enjoy reading about.)
IMAGINE THIS AS A FANTASY..
You live in the area.. You find out if YOUR HF/VHF system will make it trip off. You decide to see what would happen.
You just watch them come out and reset it. THEN after they are OFF the pole, back in the truck, and about 1/2 mile away.. KEY THE TRANSMITTER and make a TEST transmssion on HF. ID legally and log your test transmission as a test!
THEN when they come back to 'reset' the system.. just wait till they leave!
Then repeat as needed!
I sit here with the BIG BIG grin on my face.. imagining the BPL guys reactions.. They reset it.. they go away.. it trips.
The office calls. They go back.. The reset it.. They go away.. it trips.
They reset it.. (and the circle.. the circle of life continues!http://www.qrz.com/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/wink.gif
OH, to be able to do that.. They may get their BPL up.. but the cost for the dedicated service guys to reset the system.. OH HOW DELICIOUIS!
A wrinkle.. IF you have directional antenna and find that you can aim it at other boxes up and down the line.. and trip SELECTIVELY whichever box you want.
YOU CAN DRIVE (literally) THEM NUTS!!!
http://www.qrz.com/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/biggrin.gif http://www.qrz.com/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/biggrin.gif http://www.qrz.com/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/biggrin.gif
Again, this is in no way any type of encouragement, suggestion, or support for anyone ACTUALLY doing any of this.. Just my fantasy about it.
73
K3FT
Let's see..... part 15 devices must not cause interference and must accept interference from licensed devices.... or did I read that wrong.
Are the hams in Lancaster registering interference complaints with the power company and the FCC? How about in Manassas? If so, I would think that the ARRL letters would have coverage of it but I have not seen anything specific. If hams and other licensed services can trip the system, how is it staying functional?
I still harbor thoughts that there will be a move on the part of either the power company or the ISP to attempt to get some kind of ruling from a judge that anyone tripping the system or otherwise interfering with it and degrading performance will be required to shut down. This gets it into the legal system.
73
George
K3UD
Hi George,
The BEST they could do is a 'nuisance' lawsuit.
However, IF they pull that.. trust me.. you will see a GREAT deal of 'stealth' activity happening which will disrupt the BPL system and it will be IMPOSSIBLE to trace WHO did it.
If the Germans thought the French Resistance fighters were tough... they ain't seen NUTHIN' like a bunch of folks who are legally entitled to use the HF spectrum (and I'm NOT speaking exclusively of hams!http://www.qrz.com/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/wink.gif getting their 'fur up' and deciding to take some non-permanent action against the BPL menace.
These power company/BPL guys ain't got NUTTIN on some of the broadcast tech types out there..
Bring it on, BPL.. bring it on!
Plus.. WHAT cop is going to seriously waste time trying to find some RF problem when he's got tangible crimes to work on?
http://www.qrz.com/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/biggrin.gif
K3FT