From Weaver's Words (2008-04-28):

In a decision released April 25, a three-judge panel of the US Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia directs the FCC to reconsider rules it made concerning technical rules for the operation of Broadband over Powerlines (BPL). This ruling came as a result of the lawsuit ARRL brought against the Commission. The case is identified as No. 06-1343. This decision is nearly as much as we could have wanted, and is a victory for ARRL and Amateur Radio.

What is the practical meaning of this decision? It means that the FCC must reconsider its technical rulings concerning BPL and the technical bases for these rulings, and the level of interference that should be allowed. It also means that the Commission must make data it says it uses in reaching conclusions to all interested parties to review. In essence, FCC cannot hide data as it had done in issuing BPL regulations.

We don't know the final cost of the suit, yet, but the Board had allocated $300,000 for it. This should indicate the great importance my 14 fellow directors and I placed on the suit. The effort and expense the Board authorized was made possible by members who contributed to the relevant ARRL fund drives over the last few years.  Without these contributions the League would not have had funds available to wage a suit, let alone to wage the quality of action that proved good enough to win most of the points we made in our argument.

Does this put a little different perspective on the "please donate" pleas Mary Hobart, N1MMH has been sending to each of us? Our money served a valued, precedent-setting purpose. Thanks to you who contributed.