January 2005

New restrictions on BPL in Australia
By Jim Linton
The Australian Communications Authority (ACA) now requires broadband over powerlines (BPL) operators to make publicly known their intentions to trial the technology as part of just issued restrictive guidelines.

The ACA has also reminded BPL operators that harmful interference to any radio service is a breach of the Australian Radiocommunications Act, and worst case situations may require the BPL equipment to be turned off.

Separate guidelines have been issued by the ACA for Access BPL, that is public access to broadband services via powerlines, and In-house BPL delivering services via the internal wiring of a building.

ACA acting chairman, Dr Bob Horton said the ACA is continuing to develop Australia's regulatory approach to BPL and is monitoring developments in Europe, America and elsewhere. It will issue a discussion paper in April to seek industry and public comment.

Dr Horton said the ACA acknowledges it faces a challenge to establish a regulatory regime that does not unnecessarily block the use of BPL, while at the same time protecting radiocommunication services.

The ACA's new guidelines came after the Wireless Institute of Australia expressed its concern about harmful interference on amateur radio bands from a recent BPL trial. The WIA asked that the ACA take action to avoid a repeat of that occurring.

There have been four trials of Access BPL in Australia, all using HF frequencies, three in New South Wales and one in Hobart, Tasmania where a further commercial trial is due soon.

The new guidelines require BPL operators to avoid specified frequencies and bands including 12 aeronautic service bands and 27 maritime distress frequencies.

They must also notify the licensees using those bands or frequencies who are within one kilometre of their proposed BPL trials of the possibility of interference, and provide them with a contact person to report interference suspected to be associated with BPL.

Particular care must be taken to avoid interference to safety-of-life services too. There is an overriding legal obligation on BPL operators to mitigate harmful interference to radiocommunications services.

Both the ACA and the WIA consider that a wide-scale roll out of Access BPL across Australia is uncertain, while it is more likely to become a "niche" means of enabling public access to broadband services.
24th January

BPL has doubtful future: WIA
By Jim Linton
The Wireless Institute of Australia (WIA) seriously doubts that broadband over power lines (BPL) technology can deliver on its promises while overcoming its radio frequency pollution issues.

WIA Director Phil Wait said, "It sounds like a very good idea in principle, but we believe it will fall short on implementation."

Mr Wait, who coordinates the WIA's working group on BPL, was recently invited to appear on the weekly TekTime program on Melbourne's 3MDR FM community radio. The WIA is the national society representing the interest of radio amateurs.

He explained that BPL had its genesis or beginning in low frequency narrow band control signals sent down power lines to remotely control off-peak hot-water systems and telemetry for power distribution management.

"In the 1980s experiments were conducted in transmitting higher speed data over power lines and with the recent growth in the Internet people have been looking at developing another 'pipe' into the home.

"Someone found, only a few years ago, that if you pump enough broadband power down one end of the powerline out in the street something is going to come out at the powerpoint. And that's BPL as we know it," Mr Wait said.

The main attraction of the technology is its potential to overcome what is termed the 'last mile', the problem of getting cables into somebody's home.

Particularly in home units with the building jointly owned through a body corporate where cabling access permission is hard to get. Because of this cable-based telecommunications providers do not provide broadband to those buildings.

The WIA Director said the bandwidth that has been achieved through BPL tests in Australia so far is comparable with rates from ADSL cable.

He said "The very latest BPL chip claims to deliver much higher bandwidth. But with high bandwidth comes limited range and more susceptibility to interference. It's the same old story that you don't get something for nothing.

"There are two major problems with BPL technology. One is the interference it generates and is also susceptible to, and the other is the bandwidth."

Mr Wait said, "The power lines were never designed to transmit anything like broadband frequencies. They are full of discontinuities, they've got branches, leaky insulators and are not shielded an enormous distributive antenna that runs around a city."

He said that radiation from BPL has the potential to affect all HF radio users in Australia such as aviation, maritime, emergency services, long distance transport, broadcasting and amateur radio.

The Australian Radiocommunications Act and the International Telecommunications Union radio regulations prohibit telecommunications services from causing harmful interference to radio services.

During a recent trial of BPL at Queenbeyan in New South Wales measurements were taken and confirmed similar results recorded overseas.

Mr Wait said, "Near the power lines and inside the house where the BPL signal is available, that signal is about one million times or 60dB greater than the weakest signal you can hear normally hear on the radio."

He added that it was an issue for the tens of thousands of HF radio licensees in Australia including the police, rural fire brigades, state emergency services, aviation including the flying doctor service, marine services, broadcasting and amateur radio.

Mr Wait said there's a lot of research on trying to get the interference levels of BPL down, including the use of 'notching' to reduce certain frequencies.

However he said the notching is only achieving about a 20dB difference which is insufficient to protect HF radio users.

Mr Wait said interference can also be a problem for the consumer using BPL technology. It is susceptible to disruption by radio signals interfering with it. The operation of BPL relies on it sharing frequencies already used by radio services.

He said, "A number of tests done internationally show that very, very low power levels in the order of a few watts can interfere with a BPL system.

"This has the potential to interrupt the BPL signal. It will either slow it down or make it go away."

He said there were limited BPL trials underway in various parts of the world and a driving element for them is often a political determination to spread the availability of broadband access.

"There is a lot of political pressure in the US to improve the access to broadband services in rural America. The US is lagging behind many other countries in broadband penetration.

"President (George W) Bush has come out and said that he supports virtually anything that is going to increase broadband," Mr Wait said.

The situation in America is also interesting because the Federal Communications Commission has established 'exclusion zones' prohibiting BPL near government radio installations, obviously in recognition of the potential for interference.

In Australia the WIA sees BPL as being attractive to utility companies who have been looking at ways to 'bundle' services, giving them the opportunity combine electric supply with a telecommunications service.

BPL also can enable power companies to remotely read electricity meters and achieve micro-level control over their networks in the future.

The WIA believes that there may be BPL in some areas of Australia. Mr Wait said, "We will certainty see things like 'homeplug' which is an in-house distribution system. We will certainty see home-networking within building using this sort of technology.

"But I think the reality of the situation when they start to deploy (BPL) networks they're going to have a lot of problems."

He said there are a number of trials, and a few commercial trials. Some have been shutdown for commercial or technical reasons, including interference. There is still a lot of interest in it.

"BPL will probably be trialed and may find application in some areas in a limited way," Mr Wait said. "One of the arguments being put for BPL is that is it useful in rural areas.

"Well it may be useful in rural towns but it is not much good out on remote properties because the cost I believe in getting BPL signal out there to start with is going to be too prohibitive."

He said the most encouraging (BPL enabling) technology that is coming out is wireless such as WiFi and WiMax, with its price dropping and capabilities rapidly improving.

Another option for power companies to enter the field of telecommunications is to string fibre-optic cable under the neutral power conductor, and then every now and then have a wireless node serving an area.

"BPL itself is quite a good idea. The WIA is not opposed to BPL per se, the Wireless Institute is opposed to the interference that BPL generates," Mr Wait concluded.
23rd January

Herbert (Herb) Newman Stevens VK3JO SK
It is with great sadness we record the passing of Herb Stevens VK3JO who passed away on Sunday, 9 January 2005. He was an Honorary Life Member of the Wireless Institute of Australia and an elder statesman of our hobby.

His first amateur licence was dated 29.9.33 when Herb was aged 23 years. He was regularly active on the amateur bands, in particular 160m and 2m.

Herb's interest in radio goes back to 1923 when at the age of 13 he built his first crystal set receiver from an article in Pals magazine. This was on the dawn of radio broadcasting in Australia.

The mysteries of wireless for the teenager included tunning into the Morse code transmissions from Melbourne Radio and ships at sea. In constructing his equipment Herb was assisted by his brother Bob VK3OJ who predeceased him.

Herb saved up and purchased his first radio valve and built a receiver to expand his interest. He was able to listen to radio amateur pioneers such as Max Howden VK3BQ and Howard Kingsley-Love VK3BM (both now deceased) as they and others were pushing the new frontier in global communications on the shortwave frequency bands.

The WIA Victoria office bearer list of 1938 recorded Herb as a councillor and member of the Magazine Committee with the responsibility for distribution. He was also involved in the Short Wave and Technical Development sections of the Institute.

In an ambitious activity, Herb VK3JO and others operated a 24 hour continuous test on the five metre band on 23-23 May 1938 from the WIA Victoria rooms in Queens Street, Melbourne. Herb operated his own built transmitter. H-Array antennas were aimed at Europe and the United States, however there no DX contacts. His activity on that band also included field day operation in the You Yang Ranges.

Just prior to World War II he upgraded his amateur station equipment significantly but it had to be delivered to the post office because possession of amateur transmitting equipment was prohibited during the war years.

His involvement with the Wireless Institute of Australia, Victoria Division was notable in that he was the President 1941-45 and kept the WIA journal Amateur Radio magazine going during the war years.

Herb&339;s trade of plumbing was considered an essential service so he was not required to take up military service.

Post-war saw his continued involvement on the WIA Victoria Council, and he was Chairman of the VHF Group.

Herb was awarded Honorary Life Membership in recognition of his contributions to the hobby. He is also a life member of the Radio Amateur Old Timers Club where he was a regular and active participant.

Herb Stevens VK3JO was a quietly spoken gentleman, always willing to share his knowledge and held many long friendships in the amateur radio fraternity among old timers and newcomers alike. He provided a valuable link with the pre-war era.

He will be sadly missed.
Vale Herb Stevens VK3JO
14th January

IARU Region 3 Chairman - silent key
Peter Naish VK2BPN died on 9 January in hospital with his wife Monica and family by his bedside. He suffered a heart attack while having lunch a few days earlier in Sydney on WIA business.

He was elected as a Director of the International Amateur Radio Union Region 3 at the Darwin conference in 2000, and impressed his peers resulting in elevation to Chairman at the Region's meeting in Taipei, Taiwan in February last year.

Peter VK2BPN began his active interest in amateur radio at the age of 16 licensed as G3EIX in 1948. Graduating from University College, London with a bachelor's degree in Electrical Engineering and joined the Marconi Company in Chelmsford, Essex, UK.

On relocating to Australia with his family in 1967, took out the callsign VK2BPN and continued his preference for operating CW on the HF bands and was member #266 of the First Class CW Operators' Club. He was also heard operating less frequently on phone.

He joined STC (now Alcatel) remaining with them until his retirement in 2001. In retirement he maintained his Chartered Engineering status and was a member of technical committees in Standards Australia as well as the ACA.

IARU Secretary David Sumner, K1ZZ said, "He served both the Wireless Institute of Australia and the International Amateur Radio Union with skill and dedication.

"Both his talents and his engaging personality will be sorely missed in both organisations."

Peter VK2BPN served as WIA Federal President for three years and continued to contribute the Institute including holding the position of Company Secretary at the time of his death.

His funeral in Sydney has attracted amateur organisation representatives from overseas including the IARU and RSGB, the WIA, members of the Hornsby and District Radio Club, professional colleagues, ACA officers, and friends to pay their last respects.
14th January

Australia sending radio receivers to Tsunami-hit areas
Commercial Radio Australia (CRA), the radio industry body, has taken the initiative to aid and coordinate the restoration of radio broadcasting to people in several Asian Tsunami disaster areas.

In a media release CRA said it is contributing up to 50,000 AM/FM portable radio sets to stricken areas with the five batch being shipped to Indonesia and the remainder over the following four to five weeks.

The radio industry has also offered a number of engineers to help set up temporary broadcasting facilities in disaster zones, and up to seven transmitters will be provided.

CRA Chief Executive Officer, Joan Warner said the initiative involved the donation of radio sets, fresh batteries and broadcasting equipment to survivors and broadcasters affected by the disaster.

Ms Warner said, "Indonesia's public broadcasters have reported more than 30 of their employees are missing or feared dead, and many broadcasting facilities were severely damaged during the disaster.

"Helping to restore radio communications to affected areas is a practical way the Australian industry can contribute to relief efforts and will provide a channel for authorities to communicate vital information about water, food and medical aid."

CRA has also gained the support of the Asia Pacific Broadcast Union (ABU), which represents 130 radio and television broadcasts in 54 countries and is also asking its members to support the project through donating radios and broadcast equipment for Indonesia's Aceh region, Sri Lanka and the Maldives.

One of the broadcasters that has been affected is Radio Republik Indonesia. It has managed to set up a temporary studio and AM and FM transmission facilities in Banda Aceh, but requires emergency broadcast equipment and a minimum 5,000 portable radios for the homeless.

The Sri Lanka Broadcasting Corporation has also requested FM radio receivers for survivors, while the Maldives needs battery-powered radio sets for eight temporary shelters each housing 500 to 3,000 people.
12th January

European Law a possible "king hit" for BPL
The BPL lobby has been dealt a blow in the form of new electromagnetic compatibility (EMC) regulations soon to become European Law.

A new EMC Directive issued by the European Parliament and binding on all 25 Member States of the European Union, includes protection against Electromagnetic Disturbance for both radio broadcast reception and the amateur radio service.

The BPL lobby had wanted amateur radio and other some radio services to be categorised as being "less important" and not protected against harmful interference generated by BPL systems.

Clearly it has not been able to convince the European parliamentary decision makers to tip the scales in favour of BPL by letting the technology generate undesirable and unacceptable levels of radio frequency pollution.

Compliance with the new requirements to achieve CE EMC certification is likely to make BPL technology more expensive to install and maintain, and possibly less competitive in the broadband market place.

The International Amateur Radio Union Region 1 EUROCOM Working Group, in its efforts to achieve amendments it wanted to the EMC Directive, also gained a much broader definition of Electromagnetic Disturbance.

Arguments put by it stressed the role of amateur radio including its safety and emergency communications and the human right to have access information including that provided through radio broadcasts.

The European Parliament was also reminded of the inherent protection for radio services from harmful or substantial interference provided by the International Telecommunications Union radio regulations.
5th January

Asian Tsunami Disaster
Soon after initial news was received of the Tsunami disaster the amateur radio community swung into action to support recovery efforts by providing communication links.

The total death toll in all of the affected areas could reach 100,000 and many more are injured or homeless.

The Radio Society of Sri Lanka (RSSL) deployed its members to operate a disaster relief communications network as normal communications links have been cut off due to the disaster.

The Indonesia Amateur Radio Organization (ORARI) has advised its members are providing emergency communications after the 8.9 Ritcher scale earthquake struck off the Indonesian island of Sumatra triggering Tsunamis up to 10 metres high.

Similar reports had been received from India and Thailand. Assisting with the relaying of traffic, or just being on standby in case propagation is unfavourable, were radio amateurs in other countries.

Under International regulations that were changed at the World Radiocommunications Conference 2003, amateur stations may be used for transmitting international communications in the case of emergencies or disaster relief, without there being a formal third party traffic agreement in place.

The VU4RBI/VU4NRO DXpedition to the Andaman and Nicobar Islands stopped when the disaster hit, and it switched into emergency mode to assist the local population.

All five members of the DXpedition team are safe. One of them, S. Ram Mohan, VU2MYH/VU4MYH, has established a station on nearby Car Nicobar Island, one of the worst hit areas.

Two more hams from Indian, VU2DVO and VU2JOS, have arrived in Andaman Islands' capital city of Port Blair to assist.