RSGB News

Devices that use the mains to link computers or TV set-top boxes to the internet can cause interference to radios in nearby houses. An e-petition has been created on the UK government website calling for such devices to be banned. The petition is at http://petitions.pm.gov.uk/SaveShortwave/. The primary problem seems to be with the Comtrend devices that BT Vision are offering as part of their domestic installations. While these appear to be notched for the HF amateur bands there is no notching for the broadcast bands. Since the advent of the UKQRM group that we mentioned on last week’s news, there has been a dramatic increase in the number of logged complaints of 'spectrum abuse' reported to Ofcom. This has resulted in at least one installation having to be hard wired by BT Vision with other installations being investigated. The October RadCom will contain more information on problems with domestic mains networking.