Despite assurance from ARRL that an amateur would have to be within a
few 100 yards of the line for there to be any problem, at which
distance the power line QRM would be horrendous, FCC have gone along
with the power companies in rejecting the proposals. The fear is of
switching relays being incorrectly turned off by amateur interference
and causing power blackouts.
Hmmm. This ridiculous over-concern with 1w ERP could be turned around. What
if one of the major TV networks were put on a typical 2 min 'newsy item'
where one of us, in an interview, would state that the power grid is
vulnerable (by the power companies own admission) to a level of power that
could easily be generated from an automobile parked under a high tension
line with nothing more showing that a typica AM antenna? A statement could
be added that translates the 1w ERP max at ~300ft to the power needed at,
say, 50ft from the line to cause a problem (Is that ~30mw?). You know the
analogy that the public understands: "Less than the power to operate a
flashlight". Add a few juicy doomsday tourist scenarios and the general
public (politicians?) would be up in arms! I'm sure the power companies
would quickly counter with a statement indicating that they have designed
their system to be safe from any mobile RF power source short of, say, 1KW?.
Then we'd have them!!
Bill A
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