UKQRM Yahoo! Group formed to fight against BPL

Radio Netherlands Worldwide reports that a new Yahoo! Group called UKQRM has been formed.

RNW says: This is a meeting place for those who use HF (shortwave) and are suffering from QRM (interference) caused by a technology that is not designed to transmit RF. This is known as Broadband over Power Lines (BPL).

Using power line adaptors, BPL devices set up a network within the home using the mains household wires to carry a radio frequency signal.

The frequency used is the whole of the spectrum from 3 - 30 MHz which includes all the shortwave broadcast bands. The resulting interference extends hundreds of feet from the house with the equipment and makes listening to shortwave radio impossible for anyone within that range. The group is concentrating on the situation in the UK, but acknowledges that the problem is much wider than that.

Mike, the group owner, has produced this video to illustrate the problem

UK readers interested in joining this group should go to groups.yahoo.com/group/UKQRM/.

Radio Netherlands Worldwide's Andy Sennitt comments:
The traditional DX clubs have been very slow to latch-on to the threat posed by this technology, so it’s encouraging to see that at least some listeners in the UK are trying to raise awareness of the problem.

Behind the scenes, RNW has been involved in the effort to prevent the widespread use of this technology for several years now. One of my colleagues has been attending international conferences to raise objections on behalf of shortwave roadcasters. Unfortunately only a handful of other other international broadcasters have supported our efforts. Interference from these devices affects digital as well as analogue shortwave signals.

Related stories:

• Open PLC European Research Alliance publishes specification documents
• Research shows BPL and PLC face significant obstacles to success
• FCC adopts rules for Broadband over Power Lines
• Wireless Institute of Australia issues statement on BPL