NASWA Journal Columns · 2004 · January

Technical Topics, January 2004

Last Updated on October 14, 2005 by Ralph Brandi

###FEMA Supports Shortwave Listeners

The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) has filed comments with the FCC, supporting the position of NASWA. FEMA is opposed to deployment of broadband Internet access via power lines (BPL). FEMA’s ability to use the HF spectrum is regulated by the National Telecommunications and Information Administration (NTIA).

Like NASWA, FEMA recommends that Part 15 signal level limits be tightened instead of being relaxed, “FEMA believes and recommends that Part 15 of the FCC rules and regulations should be strengthened to ensure that there will be no increase in interference levels to existing communications systems which are licensed by the FCC or authorized by the NTIA.”

FEMA is an organizational element of the Department of Homeland Security. Because FEMA’s mission concerns public safety, their opposition to BPL should carry plenty of weight with the FCC and provide powerful grounds for an appeal to the Congress if the FCC chooses to ignore FEMA’s and NASWA’s concerns.

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