Windfarm Developers: Amateur Operators Can Use 'Alternative Frequencies'.

[G3UEQ]

As far as I have been able to determine, the blades are largely fiberglass or fiberglass composite. I do not know if the carbon fiber used in parts of the blade could have any radio reflection/absorption properties, but the fiberglass would not. Older windmill blades were aluminum, and some use aluminum in the structure. I still can't see anything more than a neglible effect unless the windmill is extremely close, and over here, they usually aren't built that close to residences. The machine simply doesn't occupy enough space to be that great a disturbance, even if the blades were made of metal.

Our Air Force put a moratorium on wind turbine construction out of fear that they could interfere with our defense radar, but that seems to have evaporated. WInd turbines are becoming a cause celebre for NIMBYs and conspiracy theorists everywhere. Perhaps you'd rather have an oil refinery or a coal burning power plant upwind of you?

If the blades do contain carbon fibre it certainly would affect radio signals. I fly model aircraft with carbon fibre fuselage and you have to mount the antenna outside the fuselage otherwise reception is compromised.
Andy G3UEQ

[M6THM]

Another Myth that wind is the way to go, there are technologies available for energy to be created without wind and without fossil fuels and without Nuclear power, this is what we need to be lobbying about as well as reading about, where did the Tesla patents go on Free Energy? or what happened to John Searl and many others like them, its the fat cat oil companies do not want us to have as well as governments because of tax issues, its all doable, but the powers that be do not want us to have that kind of information, wind is not the way, nor is fossil fuels, but unless the sheeple wake up and turn the tv sets off and start researching all this instead of being brainwashed all the time then the power of the people can sort this out and say NO to the governments and oil companies and make this a better energy free world.. but what do I know, I am just a small cog in the machine who is awake but without a voice.....

[G6AOS]

I'd like to thank MW1CFN, (sorry missed your name) for Bringing this to the attention of all interested parties...

As I said on one of the QRZ related pages...
"The Face of amateur radio is all set to change"
Potentally all a user is likely with the use of alterantive technologies a "cheap!" dual band H.T is all thats needed along with a Smart phone...

After a failed ePetition to the "THEN!" British Priminister on the number 10 Website / homepages
The responce basiclly was the investment in NEW Technologies had already been made, the Big money players had already Written their rules over P.L.T and alike
and in the face of amateurs who were left to grin and bear it.. Already a done deal Perhaps?

For the more serious amateur wishing to use hf..
With a number of other Countries already haveing Kilowatt Rf liscences..
I feel UK (and other amateurs) Should be Asking RSGB and other national socities for 2 things..
firstly a POWER INCREASE to the A liscence or introduction to a A+ Class liscence allowing minamum of 2kw DC output. on all bands.
additionally with the relaxation of planning allowing utility companys fixing things in public places without PLANNING PERMISSION , A SIMILAR RELAXATION FOR AMATEUR ANTENNAS.
This would also generate sales and stimulate growth of what could be a deminishing market, it could provide additional jobs.. Additional Vat for government coffers..
and Additionally allow amateurs who wish to do so to use radio communications under more difficult band conditions.

As for Mindless companys Producing RF hungury technology with a for profit only situation .. Perhaps it will be interesting to see how they like a little extra RF up them!....

Kind regards to all our readers...
Steve G6AOS

Of interest to UK amateurs, where wind energy is currently undergoing a huge boom, will be this statement by developers RWE Innogy:

'Amateur radio operators have a variety of ways to improve
radio system performance. These are mostly associated with
changes to aerials and radio equipment or increasing
transmitted power levels.'

which goes on to state that, as RWE's view of how amateurs should cope with any interference by using:

'...alternative amateur radio frequencies or technologies'

That's nice. Legally licensed operators working protected bands can take a hike, or pay - if they get planning permission - to erect bigger, higher antennas! All terrbily realistic, I'm sure.

The problem is that the law does not protect us from path interference by physical structures, just interference arising from other sources.

Anyone with concerns can submit their views, as I did, using the forms found here.

The document from which the above statements are taken can be found here.

[WN9HJW]

If amateur radio is really a technical hobby, then I would think someone should be able to invent a receiver that compensates for the signal fluttering from windmill blades.

I would not be smart enough, myself.

[AC9EX]

As far as I have been able to determine, the blades are largely fiberglass or fiberglass composite. I do not know if the carbon fiber used in parts of the blade could have any radio reflection/absorption properties, but the fiberglass would not. Older windmill blades were aluminum, and some use aluminum in the structure. I still can't see anything more than a neglible effect unless the windmill is extremely close, and over here, they usually aren't built that close to residences. The machine simply doesn't occupy enough space to be that great a disturbance, even if the blades were made of metal.

Our Air Force put a moratorium on wind turbine construction out of fear that they could interfere with our defense radar, but that seems to have evaporated. WInd turbines are becoming a cause celebre for NIMBYs and conspiracy theorists everywhere. Perhaps you'd rather have an oil refinery or a coal burning power plant upwind of you?

You do realize, that if it were not for the GOVERNMENT SUBSIDIES to wind farms they would not be able to survive? Your tax dollars subsidize every KWH the windfarm products in the USA. When they were fighting to erect this project, the developers said straight out that if the government stops the subsidies this project will not happen! The coal plants still must run, because you would not accept a brownout every time the wind stops blowing! Sorry, but the developer tried the jobs ploy also, saying they would bring $1.6 million to the community. But most of the jobs were filled by laborers from another state and the management was relocated from another state as well. And I can attest to the fact they are not buying windmill parts in our community either as there is not even a hardware store here!