March
14, 2004
Harry
J. Parrish, Vice Mayor
City
of Manassas
9027
Center Street
Manassas,
VA 20110
Dear
Sir:
As licensed users of the radio
spectrum we, as individuals and as members of the Ole Virginia Hams Amateur
Radio Club, Inc., have been following the experimental licensing and claimed
implementation of BPL in Manassas with great interest. Unfortunately for all
concerned, we have met with a considerable lack of cooperation in attempting to
establish a relationship with the parties involved and to secure opportunities
to make properly conducted and witnessed measurements of the very damaging
interference that BPL causes to high frequency communications.
Our radio club and its members have
for many years provided communications for the annual Manassas Christmas
Parade, provided communications for Red Cross, Prince William Hospital and
other entities during times of emergency and without compensation of any kind
provided our services with great willingness. It is the aspect of public
service that provides a great deal of the satisfaction we receive from our
avocation and is often how we are known in communities.
Several of our members are residents
of the City. Thus, our club has an interest in the events that are transpiring
in the city relative to BPL. And
clearly, those licensed amateurs who reside in the City have a vested interest
in this matter. A number of our membership have had the opportunity to observe
instances on Weir Street, Signal Hill Road and Field Court of objectionable and
harmful interference to communications. Unfortunately, those instances are
seemingly a matter of happenstance rather than due to any schedule or plan. We
are interested in establishing a dialogue with the parties in interest in order
to create opportunities for meaningful measurements to be taken and we are
asking you to exercise the powers of your good office to assist us.
You may consider this letter as a
citizen’s complaint within the meaning of the FCC regulations (Part 15)
governing unlicensed use of the spectrum and as a genuine request for your
help. We are seriously concerned with the gravity of this situation and its
potential for damaging communications. We are also confidant that solutions can
and will be found. Let us enter into
dialogue and begin the process of creating communications where none
exist. Point of contact for OVH is Bob
Zaepfel, 703-335-1939.
Sincerely,
Ruth
Frock/KU4WH
President/Ole
Virginia Hams A.R.C.
P.O.
Box 1255
Manassas,
VA 20108