March 2006 - arrl-odv - reflector.arrl.org

[arrl-odv:13873] Re: FCC Action - BPL Interference Complaint-Manassas, VA
by Sumner, Dave, K1ZZ 09 Mar '06

09 Mar '06

It was Wade's comment, not Dave's, but Paul has already covered it. Wade's Cedar Rapids test report is still the standard by which others are judged. But this is principally so we can show, if necessary, that the measurements of the City of Manassas are flawed. We want to focus on documenting interference rather than making measurements. Dave K1ZZ ________________________________ From: JIM WEAVER, K8JE [mailto:k8je@arrl.org] Sent: Thu 3/9/2006 4:39 AM To: arrl-odv Subject: RE: [arrl-odv:13864] FCC Action - BPL Interference Complaint-Manassas, VA Dave, your comment about a PE signing any report from Manassas is right on target in my opinion. If they don't have one, you might consider hiring one to review the report with the intent of pointing out pitfalls in relying on potentially-flawed (indefensible) date. If nothing else, this might force Manassas to go back to the drawing board to develop data under fully-qualified direction. This tactic has worked in the business world previously. Jim Weaver, K8JE Director, Great Lakes Division ARRL; http://www.arrl.org/ 5065 Bethany Rd., Mason, OH 45040 Tel.: 513-459-0142; E-mail: k8je(a)arrl.org ARRL: The reason Amateur Radio Is! MEMBERS: The reason ARRL Is! -----Original Message----- From: Wade [mailto:walstrom@mchsi.com] Sent: Wednesday, March 08, 2006 4:46 PM To: arrl-odv Subject: RE: [arrl-odv:13864] FCC Action - BPL Interference Complaint-Manassas, VA I wonder if they could direct COMTek to do that for them, in which case we need to examine the results very carefully. This movement from the FCC is encouraging but we can still get blown off by all these guys with fuzzy data. I would sure want to see a "PE" after somebody's name on that report. 73, Wade W0EJ -----Original Message----- From: Joel Harrison [mailto:w5zn@arrl.org] Sent: Wednesday, March 08, 2006 12:08 PM To: arrl-odv Subject: RE: [arrl-odv:13864] FCC Action - BPL Interference Complaint-Manassas, VA Exactly! My opinion is that in order for them to supply the info requested by FCC they will have to invest extra time of their own contract it out, which in turn will increase their costs. If they have to expend this effort in each and every case, maybe they will sit back and reassess whether it is cost effective for them to continue with the current configuration. Joel -----Original Message----- From: Wade [mailto:walstrom@mchsi.com] Sent: Wednesday, March 08, 2006 11:47 AM To: 'Joel Harrison'; 'arrl-odv' Subject: RE: [arrl-odv:13864] FCC Action - BPL Interference Complaint-Manassas, VA It will be interesting to see what the City of Manassas comes up with for measurements as I doubt the City has the technical competence available to do this on their own. 73, Wade W0EJ

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RE: [arrl-odv:13864] FCC Action - BPL Interference Complaint-Manassas, VA
by Joel Harrison 09 Mar '06

09 Mar '06

Jim/Wade, FYI from our side. We retained a firm some time ago to conduct independent BPL tests for us so to have someone other than our employees collecting data. The company is Metavox and they have a PE on staff that is supposed to sign the report of their work when it is complete. If additional measurements are needed to rebut anything the city of Manassas produces, we have Metavox as an option to use to do that as well. So at least we have access to one. Joel -----Original Message----- From: JIM WEAVER, K8JE [mailto:k8je@arrl.org] Sent: Wednesday, March 08, 2006 10:40 PM To: arrl-odv Subject: RE: [arrl-odv:13864] FCC Action - BPL Interference Complaint-Manassas, VA Dave, your comment about a PE signing any report from Manassas is right on target in my opinion. If they don't have one, you might consider hiring one to review the report with the intent of pointing out pitfalls in relying on potentially-flawed (indefensible) date. If nothing else, this might force Manassas to go back to the drawing board to develop data under fully-qualified direction. This tactic has worked in the business world previously. Jim Weaver, K8JE Director, Great Lakes Division ARRL; http://www.arrl.org/ 5065 Bethany Rd., Mason, OH 45040 Tel.: 513-459-0142; E-mail: k8je(a)arrl.org ARRL: The reason Amateur Radio Is! MEMBERS: The reason ARRL Is! -----Original Message----- From: Wade [mailto:walstrom@mchsi.com] Sent: Wednesday, March 08, 2006 4:46 PM To: arrl-odv Subject: RE: [arrl-odv:13864] FCC Action - BPL Interference Complaint-Manassas, VA I wonder if they could direct COMTek to do that for them, in which case we need to examine the results very carefully. This movement from the FCC is encouraging but we can still get blown off by all these guys with fuzzy data. I would sure want to see a "PE" after somebody's name on that report. 73, Wade W0EJ -----Original Message----- From: Joel Harrison [mailto:w5zn@arrl.org] Sent: Wednesday, March 08, 2006 12:08 PM To: arrl-odv Subject: RE: [arrl-odv:13864] FCC Action - BPL Interference Complaint-Manassas, VA Exactly! My opinion is that in order for them to supply the info requested by FCC they will have to invest extra time of their own contract it out, which in turn will increase their costs. If they have to expend this effort in each and every case, maybe they will sit back and reassess whether it is cost effective for them to continue with the current configuration. Joel -----Original Message----- From: Wade [mailto:walstrom@mchsi.com] Sent: Wednesday, March 08, 2006 11:47 AM To: 'Joel Harrison'; 'arrl-odv' Subject: RE: [arrl-odv:13864] FCC Action - BPL Interference Complaint-Manassas, VA It will be interesting to see what the City of Manassas comes up with for measurements as I doubt the City has the technical competence available to do this on their own. 73, Wade W0EJ

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RE: [arrl-odv:13864] FCC Action - BPL Interference Complaint-Manassas, VA
by JIM WEAVER, K8JE 09 Mar '06

09 Mar '06

Dave, your comment about a PE signing any report from Manassas is right on target in my opinion. If they don't have one, you might consider hiring one to review the report with the intent of pointing out pitfalls in relying on potentially-flawed (indefensible) date. If nothing else, this might force Manassas to go back to the drawing board to develop data under fully-qualified direction. This tactic has worked in the business world previously. Jim Weaver, K8JE Director, Great Lakes Division ARRL; http://www.arrl.org/ 5065 Bethany Rd., Mason, OH 45040 Tel.: 513-459-0142; E-mail: k8je(a)arrl.org ARRL: The reason Amateur Radio Is! MEMBERS: The reason ARRL Is! -----Original Message----- From: Wade [mailto:walstrom@mchsi.com] Sent: Wednesday, March 08, 2006 4:46 PM To: arrl-odv Subject: RE: [arrl-odv:13864] FCC Action - BPL Interference Complaint-Manassas, VA I wonder if they could direct COMTek to do that for them, in which case we need to examine the results very carefully. This movement from the FCC is encouraging but we can still get blown off by all these guys with fuzzy data. I would sure want to see a "PE" after somebody's name on that report. 73, Wade W0EJ -----Original Message----- From: Joel Harrison [mailto:w5zn@arrl.org] Sent: Wednesday, March 08, 2006 12:08 PM To: arrl-odv Subject: RE: [arrl-odv:13864] FCC Action - BPL Interference Complaint-Manassas, VA Exactly! My opinion is that in order for them to supply the info requested by FCC they will have to invest extra time of their own contract it out, which in turn will increase their costs. If they have to expend this effort in each and every case, maybe they will sit back and reassess whether it is cost effective for them to continue with the current configuration. Joel -----Original Message----- From: Wade [mailto:walstrom@mchsi.com] Sent: Wednesday, March 08, 2006 11:47 AM To: 'Joel Harrison'; 'arrl-odv' Subject: RE: [arrl-odv:13864] FCC Action - BPL Interference Complaint-Manassas, VA It will be interesting to see what the City of Manassas comes up with for measurements as I doubt the City has the technical competence available to do this on their own. 73, Wade W0EJ

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[arrl-odv:13870] Report of the President to the Executive Committee
by Joel Harrison 09 Mar '06

09 Mar '06

Attached is my report submitted to the Executive Committee in advance of this weekend's meeting. For those of you on the Executive Committee that have already received it, please disregard. 73 Joel W5ZN

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RE: [arrl-odv:13864] FCC Action - BPL Interference Complaint-Manassas, VA
by Wade 08 Mar '06

08 Mar '06

I wonder if they could direct COMTek to do that for them, in which case we need to examine the results very carefully. This movement from the FCC is encouraging but we can still get blown off by all these guys with fuzzy data. I would sure want to see a "PE" after somebody's name on that report. 73, Wade W0EJ -----Original Message----- From: Joel Harrison [mailto:w5zn@arrl.org] Sent: Wednesday, March 08, 2006 12:08 PM To: arrl-odv Subject: RE: [arrl-odv:13864] FCC Action - BPL Interference Complaint-Manassas, VA Exactly! My opinion is that in order for them to supply the info requested by FCC they will have to invest extra time of their own contract it out, which in turn will increase their costs. If they have to expend this effort in each and every case, maybe they will sit back and reassess whether it is cost effective for them to continue with the current configuration. Joel -----Original Message----- From: Wade [mailto:walstrom@mchsi.com] Sent: Wednesday, March 08, 2006 11:47 AM To: 'Joel Harrison'; 'arrl-odv' Subject: RE: [arrl-odv:13864] FCC Action - BPL Interference Complaint-Manassas, VA It will be interesting to see what the City of Manassas comes up with for measurements as I doubt the City has the technical competence available to do this on their own. 73, Wade W0EJ

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[arrl-odv:13867] More about Manassas
by Sumner, Dave, K1ZZ 08 Mar '06

08 Mar '06

Joel mentioned that we were sending a letter to every ARRL member in the 20110 zip code area. The letter went out on the new letterhead this afternoon -- see attached. The page referred to in the PS is the August 2004 QST editorial. Dave K1ZZ <<Letter to 20110 members.doc>>

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RE: [arrl-odv:13864] FCC Action - BPL Interference Complaint-Manassas, VA
by Wade 08 Mar '06

08 Mar '06

It will be interesting to see what the City of Manassas comes up with for measurements as I doubt the City has the technical competence available to do this on their own. 73, Wade W0EJ -----Original Message----- From: Joel Harrison [mailto:w5zn@arrl.org] Sent: Wednesday, March 08, 2006 10:47 AM To: arrl-odv Subject: [arrl-odv:13864] FCC Action - BPL Interference Complaint-Manassas, VA Previously reported to you was a statement of our intention to file a complaint to the FCC Inspector General over the FCC's lack of action on the BPL interference complaints from radio amateurs in Manassas, VA. Our target date for the complaint was February 28. On that date, we received information from FCC that the interference complaint was being worked and something would be forthcoming. This information was credible enough that we decided to wait a few additional days. Monday, I gave Dave and Chris the green light to file the complaint with the FCC Inspector General. Yesterday, just prior to doing so, Chris telephoned Joe Casey at FCC to make one last inquiry about this matter. Mr. Casey told him letters had been written and signed and were being sent that day, and that Chris would receive a copy. At the end of the day yesterday, the correspondence was received from FCC and is attached. Dave, Chris, Paul and I have just completed a teleconference about this matter. Obviously, this is a stall from the FCC but they do acknowledge an interference problem with Mr. Agnew's situation. The FCC has tasked the city of Manassas to perform its own measurements and has requested additional information from the remaining four radio amateurs that have filed interference complaints, as you can see in the attached letters. Here is our further assessment:: 1. FCC is apparently not planning to perform their own test measurements. 2. Adhering to the 20 dB level will not solve the problem, but the city of Manassas will have a problem meeting that requirement. 3. We have previously rebutted the 20 dB level in our complaint to FCC. 4. The detail of information being requested from the amateurs by FCC has never been required in interference cases before, and it is unclear why Mr. Agnew's case was singled out based on detail since the other complaints also contained detailed documentation. Here is our approach: 1. Publicize this extensively since FCC is taking action against the city of Manassas for BPL interference. A web story is being prepared. 2. Rinaldo will meet this week with the radio amateurs that have been requested to provide additional information and offer assistance/advice in responding. He has already been in telephone contact with the group. 3. File our own response addressing our concern over the level of detail the FCC is requiring in this matter, which we have already provided. We will also take the opportunity to advise the FCC that Joe Casey promised us a web based complaint form, and that is yet to be seen. Our response will be discussed/reviewed at the EC meeting this weekend. 4. Send letters to each ARRL member in the 20110 zip code (Manassas) alerting them to this action in their area. 5. Prepare to have additional field measurements of our own taken, if needed, to rebut the city's measurements. . More information as this develops in the coming days. 73 Joel W5ZN -----Original Message----- From: w3kd(a)aol.com [mailto:w3kd@aol.com] Sent: Tuesday, March 07, 2006 4:24 PM To: dsumner(a)arrl.org; joelh(a)centurytel.net; w5zn(a)arrl.org; ehare(a)arrl.org; prinaldo(a)mindspring.com; prinaldo(a)arrl.org Subject: Fwd: Manassas BPL complaints -----Original Message----- From: Katherine Power <Katherine.Power(a)fcc.gov> To: George <K4GVT(a)comcast.net>; James.Horwood(a)spiegelmck.com; Bill South <williamsouth(a)comcast.net>; Dwight <da(a)agnew.us>; Imlay, Chris <w3kd(a)arrl.org>; Walter Adams <wadams(a)comtechnologies.com>; W4HJL(a)aol.com; WC4J(a)arrl.net Cc: Joseph Casey <Joseph.Casey(a)fcc.gov> Sent: Tue, 7 Mar 2006 15:48:46 -0500 Subject: Manassas BPL complaints Gentlemen: Attached you will find copies of correspondence that we are sending you today via U.S. mail. The two letters from the FCC are self-explanatory and address complaints of harmful interference in the Manassas, Virginia area. The third attached file, "Agnew", is an attachment to both letters. Please remember that the FCC's ex parte rules apply to this matter. Consequently, in responding to these letters you must send a copy to all parties as listed above and in the body of the letters. We prefer to have the responses sent to us by U.S. mail, but you may send Email copies as well. Thank you, Katherine Power Spectrum Enforcement Division, Enforcement Bureau <<Complainant Letter.pdf>> <<Manassas Letter.pdf>> <<Agnew.pdf>>

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RE: [arrl-odv:13863] 35 Letters
by JIM WEAVER, K8JE 08 Mar '06

08 Mar '06

Joel, This is tremendous. Now we can state that the total list of Directors and Vice Directors are actively participating in the Grassroots program as we promote it to our members. Speaking of this program, thanks for dropping in on our telecon last night and for your support during it. We'll have the minutes of the discussion out (as has Jay for PSC). The action items identified largely through the cooperation of our Director colleagues will begin to be reported within the coming few days, as we mentioned. Jim Weaver, K8JE Director, Great Lakes Division ARRL; http://www.arrl.org/ 5065 Bethany Rd., Mason, OH 45040 Tel.: 513-459-0142; E-mail: k8je(a)arrl.org ARRL: The reason Amateur Radio Is! MEMBERS: The reason ARRL Is! -----Original Message----- From: Joel Harrison [mailto:w5zn@arrl.org] Sent: Wednesday, March 08, 2006 11:19 AM To: arrl-odv Subject: [arrl-odv:13863] 35 Letters I'm happy to report (actually, extremely pleased) to report that we have reached our goal. Thank you. 73 Joel W5ZN

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[arrl-odv:13864] FCC Action - BPL Interference Complaint-Manassas, VA
by Joel Harrison 08 Mar '06

08 Mar '06

Previously reported to you was a statement of our intention to file a complaint to the FCC Inspector General over the FCC's lack of action on the BPL interference complaints from radio amateurs in Manassas, VA. Our target date for the complaint was February 28. On that date, we received information from FCC that the interference complaint was being worked and something would be forthcoming. This information was credible enough that we decided to wait a few additional days. Monday, I gave Dave and Chris the green light to file the complaint with the FCC Inspector General. Yesterday, just prior to doing so, Chris telephoned Joe Casey at FCC to make one last inquiry about this matter. Mr. Casey told him letters had been written and signed and were being sent that day, and that Chris would receive a copy. At the end of the day yesterday, the correspondence was received from FCC and is attached. Dave, Chris, Paul and I have just completed a teleconference about this matter. Obviously, this is a stall from the FCC but they do acknowledge an interference problem with Mr. Agnew's situation. The FCC has tasked the city of Manassas to perform its own measurements and has requested additional information from the remaining four radio amateurs that have filed interference complaints, as you can see in the attached letters. Here is our further assessment:: 1. FCC is apparently not planning to perform their own test measurements. 2. Adhering to the 20 dB level will not solve the problem, but the city of Manassas will have a problem meeting that requirement. 3. We have previously rebutted the 20 dB level in our complaint to FCC. 4. The detail of information being requested from the amateurs by FCC has never been required in interference cases before, and it is unclear why Mr. Agnew's case was singled out based on detail since the other complaints also contained detailed documentation. Here is our approach: 1. Publicize this extensively since FCC is taking action against the city of Manassas for BPL interference. A web story is being prepared. 2. Rinaldo will meet this week with the radio amateurs that have been requested to provide additional information and offer assistance/advice in responding. He has already been in telephone contact with the group. 3. File our own response addressing our concern over the level of detail the FCC is requiring in this matter, which we have already provided. We will also take the opportunity to advise the FCC that Joe Casey promised us a web based complaint form, and that is yet to be seen. Our response will be discussed/reviewed at the EC meeting this weekend. 4. Send letters to each ARRL member in the 20110 zip code (Manassas) alerting them to this action in their area. 5. Prepare to have additional field measurements of our own taken, if needed, to rebut the city's measurements. . More information as this develops in the coming days. 73 Joel W5ZN -----Original Message----- From: w3kd(a)aol.com [mailto:w3kd@aol.com] Sent: Tuesday, March 07, 2006 4:24 PM To: dsumner(a)arrl.org; joelh(a)centurytel.net; w5zn(a)arrl.org; ehare(a)arrl.org; prinaldo(a)mindspring.com; prinaldo(a)arrl.org Subject: Fwd: Manassas BPL complaints -----Original Message----- From: Katherine Power <Katherine.Power(a)fcc.gov> To: George <K4GVT(a)comcast.net>; James.Horwood(a)spiegelmck.com; Bill South <williamsouth(a)comcast.net>; Dwight <da(a)agnew.us>; Imlay, Chris <w3kd(a)arrl.org>; Walter Adams <wadams(a)comtechnologies.com>; W4HJL(a)aol.com; WC4J(a)arrl.net Cc: Joseph Casey <Joseph.Casey(a)fcc.gov> Sent: Tue, 7 Mar 2006 15:48:46 -0500 Subject: Manassas BPL complaints Gentlemen: Attached you will find copies of correspondence that we are sending you today via U.S. mail. The two letters from the FCC are self-explanatory and address complaints of harmful interference in the Manassas, Virginia area. The third attached file, "Agnew", is an attachment to both letters. Please remember that the FCC's ex parte rules apply to this matter. Consequently, in responding to these letters you must send a copy to all parties as listed above and in the body of the letters. We prefer to have the responses sent to us by U.S. mail, but you may send Email copies as well. Thank you, Katherine Power Spectrum Enforcement Division, Enforcement Bureau <<Complainant Letter.pdf>> <<Manassas Letter.pdf>> <<Agnew.pdf>>

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[arrl-odv:13863] 35 Letters
by Joel Harrison 08 Mar '06

08 Mar '06

I'm happy to report (actually, extremely pleased) to report that we have reached our goal. Thank you. 73 Joel W5ZN

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