Shortwave Radio is Under Threat

Shortwave radio has amazing properties allowing world-wide communications. Its been in use since Marconi made his first transmissions. Many millions of people tune into shortwave radio everyday to hear broadcasts from the USA, Russia, China, Canada, the UK and a host of other world locations. It is also used by radio amateurs who communicate with each other over vast distances and at times of national emergency, it acts as a backup communications network, which is vital to us all. It is a way of life for many who may be housebound, those who wish to keep in touch with events from their home country or who enjoy learning about language and traditions from other countries.

Shortwave radio frequencies sit between the top of medium wave radio and the bottom of the FM broadcast band. Shortwave is also inhabited by the military, aircraft, shipping, air-sea rescue and a host of other essential services, who are all licensed to use the frequency band.

Then came powerline adaptors! (PLT)

These gadgets have nothing to do with getting people on-line with computers. They are used to transfer video and data from one room to the next without any direct connection! They do this by sending wide-band shortwave radio signals along the electricity power cables of your house! As these power cables were not designed for radio signals they act as aerials radiating the output of the powerline adaptors far and wide outside of the house.

Interference of up to 500 meters has been reported. This is where the problem lies.

Just one house using these adaptors wipes out the reception of short wave radio in your local neighbourhood! Even NATO has published concerns about these devices, and yet they are streaming onto the market here in the UK. If one examines the regulations (Electro Magnetic Compatibility and Wireless & Telegraphy act 2006) these power line adaptors seemingly should not be in use, as there is no way they can meet the required standards!

So what is the EU and UK government doing about this? Seemingly nothing!

UKQRM is a non profit users group. Working with many other radio groups to defend shortwave radio. Ofcom the radio spectrum regulator here in the UK has finally acknowledged the problem and has set up a phone number for those affected to call in and report the interference.

http://www.ofcom.org.uk/radiocomms/ifi/enforcement/plt/

UKQRM can provide a member for interviews with some advanced notice. Please e-mail media@insussex.fsworld.co.uk