There are numerous studies on the interference that power line networking devices cause to radio users. Here is a URL to one written recently by a UK based EMC test house
Home Plug (HPA AV standard ) devices do indeed include notching of the Main amateur radio bands and in many cases this is sufficient to offer some protection to interference to neighbouring amateur radio users.
However these devices DO NOT Notch the HF (Shortwave) broadcast bands and as a result do not protect the rights of Short wave radio listeners.
This would not be a particularity big issue except for the fact that the interference is radiated considerably beyond the boundary of the PLT device users property, in some cases affecting reception at distances as large as 500M away
May I suggest that the next time that a reviewer is to test one of these devices that the reviewer also be given a cheap Shortwave portable radio and that the reviewer spends some time tuning around the HF broadcasting bands in the vicinity of 5.9, 7.3, 9.5, 11.5, 13.6 and 15.1 MHz broadcasting bands PRIOR to activating the units under test.
Once the Units are powered up and passing network traffic repeat the listening tests. To conclude this part of the experiment the reviewer may then wish to see at what distance from the property the interference remains strong enough to interfere significantly with shortwave broadcast reception.
Despite any claims of compliance with various standards by the vendors they are still required to comply with the Essential requirements of the EMC directive.
" the electromagnetic disturbance it generates does not exceed a level allowing radio and telecommunications equipment and other apparatus to operate as intended;"
In the UK the responsibility for enforcement lies with OFCOM and any radio user can at NO charge ask that OFCOM investigate and order the removal of devices causing radio interference to Broadcast reception OR Amateur radio since both are protected services, Regardless of what standards the interfering device claims to adhere to.
Register
Radio interferance
There are numerous studies on the interference that power line networking devices cause to radio users. Here is a URL to one written recently by a UK based EMC test house
http://www.elmac.co.uk/pdfs/Why_PLT_is_bad_for_EMC_V5_final.pdf
Home Plug (HPA AV standard ) devices do indeed include notching of the Main amateur radio bands and in many cases this is sufficient to offer some protection to interference to neighbouring amateur radio users.
However these devices DO NOT Notch the HF (Shortwave) broadcast bands and as a result do not protect the rights of Short wave radio listeners.
This would not be a particularity big issue except for the fact that the interference is radiated considerably beyond the boundary of the PLT device users property, in some cases affecting reception at distances as large as 500M away
May I suggest that the next time that a reviewer is to test one of these devices that the reviewer also be given a cheap Shortwave portable radio and that the reviewer spends some time tuning around the HF broadcasting bands in the vicinity of 5.9, 7.3, 9.5, 11.5, 13.6 and 15.1 MHz broadcasting bands PRIOR to activating the units under test.
Once the Units are powered up and passing network traffic repeat the listening tests. To conclude this part of the experiment the reviewer may then wish to see at what distance from the property the interference remains strong enough to interfere significantly with shortwave broadcast reception.
Despite any claims of compliance with various standards by the vendors they are still required to comply with the Essential requirements of the EMC directive.
http://ec.europa.eu/enterprise/electr_equipment/emc/directiv/text.htm
the relevant line here (para 4,a) being
" the electromagnetic disturbance it generates does not exceed a level allowing radio and telecommunications equipment and other apparatus to operate as intended;"
In the UK the responsibility for enforcement lies with OFCOM and any radio user can at NO charge ask that OFCOM investigate and order the removal of devices causing radio interference to Broadcast reception OR Amateur radio since both are protected services, Regardless of what standards the interfering device claims to adhere to.
regards
Brendan Minish (EI6IZ)
CTO Westnet
IEEE member
Member of IEEE EMC society