Frequency Committee Advisory (Added 2/17/04)
Action taken by the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) has resulted in a unanimous vote by
the commissioners to approve a Notice of Proposed Rule Making (NPRM) regarding the use of
Broadband Over Power Lines (BPL). The announcement, which occurred February 12, 2004, follows
action taken on the subject in 2003 referred to as a Notice of Inquiry.
During the past several months references to BPL have appeared in AMA publications. The most
recent can be found in the Technical Director's column in the February issue of Model Aviation.
References have also been made in the "On the Fly" column in the magazine and on the AMA Web
site.
The concept involved in BPL centers around the transmission of broadband information over the
common power lines which serve homes and businesses. Such operations would, in the words of the
FCC, be "an important step toward increasing the availability of broadband in rural and
underserved areas because power lines reach virtually every home and community in the country."
Unfortunately, this type of transmission creates a condition in which radio frequency radiation
may be emitted from the power line! Please understand, that as of this date, AMA has no solid
evidence that BPL can or will cause interference problems to our operations. The concept has been
used by power companies for many years in order to send peak power commands to shut down devices
in homes and businesses.
In the initial Notice of Inquiry issued by the FCC during 2003, the frequencies being considered
at that time for use with this type of transmission were situated between 1.8 MHz and 80 MHz.
This of course, encompasses all the frequencies currently designated for model use. Knowledge of
the plan prompted AMA to file with the FCC, indicating our concern regarding the potential for
interference to our operations. Further, we urged that the interference potential be researched
prior to BPL being allowed. Contrary to the historical approach taken by the FCC, the current
NPRM action suggests their desire is to forge ahead with the concept and then attempting to
resolve interference issues as they may arise. While this does not appear to be a reasonable,
logical or safe approach, the NPRM may be an attempt by the FCC to gather technical information
from those parties which may be potentially affected by BPL.
It should be noted that the actual rule making document is not yet available, so key elements
including the actual frequencies involved, are as yet unknown. We cannot begin to assess the
overall impact until that document is made public. Be assured, that just as in 1992 with the FCC
92-235 rule making which proposed the addition of new frequencies in our band, we will subject
the document to careful scrutiny and determine an appropriate course of action.
We are currently working through our attorney who represents AMA before the FCC. We have been
assured that we join a very large group of communications related industries and groups who are
voicing concerns regarding the proposal. These voices include ARRL (Amateur or "Hams") and the
Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA). They recognize that a solid communication link for
use in times of homeland security issues and natural disasters must be relatively free from
interference. Studies by the ARRL have indicated the radio frequency noise levels which may be
created by BPL operations could be harmful to such a link. We currently are establishing a
liaison with ARRL and other concerned groups in an effort to gather information.
It is hoped that the actual rule making document will be available for study soon. In the
interim, we will continue to gather information, not only from the important studies conducted by
ARRL, but from contacts we have made with one of the BPL test studies being performed in the
United States.
Chairman Michael Powell has stated, "I am confident that the proposals we adopt today balance the
potential benefits of BPL services and give careful consideration of the potential interference
from BPL operations by establishing new requirements that will help minimize harmful interference
that may occur and guidelines for measurement of radio frequency (RF) emissions from carrier
current systems." Unfortunately, at present the Academy is not in a position to properly assess
the meaning of "minimize" or "may" in that statement, relative to any impact on our activities.
Members may obtain additional information by visiting the FCC Web site at www.fcc.gov and the
ARRL Web site at www.arrl.org. While these sites will not provide any information directly
relating to possible impact on our operations, they will provide insights into the matter as a
whole. It is the current AMA position that any individual member comments to the FCC are
premature at this time due to the current lack of definitive information. As it becomes available
and after it has been carefully studied, you will be informed of action which is deemed
appropriate by the Academy.
-AMA Frequency Committee
Teachers Discount Music www.metronomes.net [EMAIL PROTECTED]
----- Original Message ----- From: "Jim Porter" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]>
To: "Tom Watson" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]>
Cc: "soaring" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]>
Sent: Sunday, October 17, 2004 1:36 PM
Subject: Re: [RCSE] Broadband Over Powerline approved
Last week, the FCC approved national deployment of BPL. Who knows whether the effort will really take off (no pun) in a big way, but they have the green light.
The article I read stated that the HAM operator's concerns "could be managed" but nothing regarding R/C interference.
That's the result of 'BIG' money over riding the AMA and ARRL concerns.
It's interesting to note that after the original flurry of comments by the AMA that nothing more has been heard from them.
It would appear that the use of a frequency monitor at any flying site near
a newly installed BPL is needed to protect your flying investment.
Jim Porter, soon to be Johnston Iowa Neckargemund-Dilsberg Germany
"The airplane stays up because it doesn't have the time to fall." Orville Wright
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