In the "Making the Connection" sidebar of the "smart grid" article in HP132, Mark Hazen describes BPL (broadbandover- power lines), which is also referred to as PCL (power line communication), in this way: "This technology rides over the power grid without polluting the air with radio frequency interference."

This is exactly what the BPL manufacturers, some utilities, and the Federal Communications Commission would want you to believe. Nothing could be further from the truth. Widespread interference is one of the well-documented problems that continue to plague this technology. There has been interference to police, fire, amateur radio, and other services. It can and does interfere with very lowoutput wireless radio devices used in homes and businesses. Unfortunately, our government touted this technology as a silver bullet without understanding or listening to good science and research.

The G2 or G3 technologies are much better suited to provide the needed communications required for the "Smart Grid." More can be learned about this at www.arrl.org/tis/info/HTML/plc.

Steven B. Handy • Kekaha, Kauai, Hawaii