This web page provides information on the Progress Energy Broadband Over Powerline (BPL) trial areas. At the present time, Progess Energy's trial consists of three subdivisions in southern Wake County, near the town of Fuquay Varina, NC. All of the equipment used in this BPL trial is manufactured by Amperion, Inc..
The three trial areas are; Whittingham Subdivision near the intersection of Holland Church Road and Harvey Johnson Road, Whitehurst Subdivison on James Slaughter Road, and Woodchase Subdivision on James Slaughter Road.
While all three of these areas use amateur spectrum on both overhead and underground power distribution, the overhead distribution is by far the worst culprit in terms of RF radiation that can easily be heard a mile away at a typical amateur home station. Stations with more elaborate installations and high gain antennas can sometimes hear the signals more than 1 mile away.
Thus far, most of the overhead BPL that I have observed has used spectrum in the 10M and 12 meter amateur bands. Underground BPL has typically used spectrum in the 6 MHz to 16 MHz range.
If you operate your amateur station within 2 miles of any of the above locations, it's possible and likely that you will be able to hear BPL interference in the 10 Meter and 12 Meter Amateur Bands. If you live in one of the trial subdivisions, it's likely that you may hear interference to other bands as well. Before you file a complaint, it's absolutely essential that you make sure that BPL interference and not something else is being heard. IF YOU ARE WITHIN 2 MILES of the above locations and would like assistance verifying the interference as BPL, contact me, W4FAL at 740-3957. If I don't answer leave me a voice mail and I'll return your call.
OK, suppose you have determined that it is BPL and you want to let Progress Energy, the FCC, the ARRL, and others that you are experiencing interference. What do you do?
Your complaint should be in writing (preferably via email). It should state, your name, amateur call, address, frequencies or range of frequencies on which the BPL signal was heard, level of interference (S units is OK), and some brief description of your station and antenna system. Include your daytime and evening phone numbers, and email address.
Send these complaints To:
Len Anthony, Progress Energy Regulatory Affairs Len.S.Anthony@pgnmail.com
Copy the following people:
Anh Wride, Anh.Wride@fcc.gov
James R.Burtle, jburtle@fcc.gov
Riley Hollingsworth rholling@fcc.gov
Alan R. Stillwell, Alan.Stillwell@fcc.gov
Ed Hare, w1rfi@arrl.org
Frank A. Lynch, w4fal@smithchart.org
Mark this page and visit it often. I'll have updates on the "progress" (no pun intended) of our work on BPL interference resolution.
Frank A. Lynch, W4FAL
ARRL NC Section Technical Specialist
2528 Oakes Plantation Drive
Raleigh, NC 27610-9328
919-740-3957