[cma-l] E-petition to the DCMS

Fri Aug 5 13:29:28 BST 2011

Nick
Sorry - there is no 5km rule.
It's a guideline.
If anyone at Ofcom has actually written or said the words "5km Rule" you should have asked where this is enshrined in the Regulations.
If you can see it written anywhere, please let me know.

The problems you are finding I would respectfully suggest are a result of lack of investment, inadequate planning and not pushing your case hard enough using the right amminition.
That and relying on anecdotal reception reports, unsafe technical concepts and not obtaining quantitative figures.

Don't please take my word for it.
Look at http://stakeholders.ofcom.org.uk/binaries/broadcast/guidance/tech-guidance/tech-parameters/TxParams.xls and click on the "VHF" tab at the bottom of the page.
Of 202 CR stations listed, 25 (13%) are using more than 25W ERP in the vertical plane.
The Superstation in Orkney has 340W.
All of those except two had actually asked for higher power and had proved to Ofcom that they needed it.
What is more interesting is that of that 202, only 38 (less than 19%) are using a horizontal transmission component which almost certainly they will have been licensed to employ.
49 out of the 202 are not using a transmission site higher than 100' above sea level.
OK - maybe the land is low-lying and a bit flat round a lot of CR installations.
Astoundingly - 98 of them - almost half - are not using an antenna elevation any greater than the 20m authorised for an RSL!
You can't get on to a 60' building to put up a simple antenna?
As an experienced transmssion and propagation engineer, I am astounded at some of the antenna installations I see which are expected to optimise the small power allocations expected to be awarded for CR projects.

So you see my point about not getting the basics right?
That is just what I would expect Ofcom to respond to this petition via the DCMS.

------------------------------------
Ian Hickling
Partner
transplan UK  

From: office at ccr-fm.co.uk
To: ian at transplan.uk.com; cma-l at commedia.org.uk
Subject: RE: [cma-l] E-petition DCMS - Community Radio
Date: Fri, 5 Aug 2011 12:10:41 +0100

Ian

I think the point that you have missed is this … as you like me keep banging on about the same things and giving the same replies. If we or whoever went to Ofcom and said ‘’hey Mr Ofcom chappy, we want a Community Station for Macc / Poynton / Wilmslow / Bollington   they simply turn round and reply back   ‘’nope. Sorry   5km rule and all that jazz’’

Placement of kit, equipment, antennas, height, power etc etc  has absolutely nowt’ to do with it ……… if what you are doing OFFICIALLY breaches the 5km rule, then one is stuffed.

I do not doubt your expertise in these matters but re – my previous post           the o levels  /  a levels  /  diplomas  / mortar boards     etc   don’t apply here … what does apply is common sense. Clearly lacking in this Country and in the DCMS.

FACT                    sorry.

Now then ………… once the common sense has been applied, the the guys at the top of their field   ie:- you Ian      come into your own and excell.  J

Regards

Nick

From: cma-l-bounces at mailman.commedia.org.uk [mailto:cma-l-bounces at mailman.commedia.org.uk] On Behalf Of Ian Hickling
Sent: 05 August 2011 11:26
To: Alan Coote; cma-l
Subject: [cma-l] E-petition DCMS - Community Radio

If this is to have any appreciable effect, the facts have got to be right

As I have said before on far too many occasions - there is no "one size fits all 25W maximum" 
In your Application you tell Ofcom what you want to cover, why, and how you propose doing it.
Look at Ofcom's listed "TX Params" and you will see that a large number of CRs have more than 25W
Most have mixed polarity allocated but very few are actually using it.
Few use proper processing and professionally-designed transmission systems.
The cause of poor performance in many cases is bad planning and lack of investement.
Ofcom cannot - rather than will not - simply upgrade power for existing Licensees.

What Ofcom should be doing I suggest is looking actively at ways to find more and better slots for CR by a change of policy and putting more staff on the work.
This is what HMG should be persuaded is the real need.
------------------------------------
Ian Hickling
Partner
trasplan UK

From: alan.coote at thebayradio.com
To: cma-l at commedia.org.uk
Date: Thu, 4 Aug 2011 22:06:44 +0100
Subject: [cma-l] E-petition DCMS - Community Radio - Please sign

Please sign this Community Radio E-petition and distribute to your members, listeners and friends.

http://epetitions.direct.gov.uk/petitions/284

Community radio is the new local radio yet is often stifled by its low transmitter power. The one size fits all 25W maximum is unworkable for many community radio stations. 

Local radio in the past was successful in informing communities with local news and specialised programmes. 

There are numerous community stations doing that job at present with hundreds of volunteers but restricted to low power transmission by OFCOM. 

To survive these stations must be given sufficient power to get out to their whole community. 

Your e-petition "Bring back local radio" has now been published. You can view your e-petition at: http://epetitions.direct.gov.uk/petitions/284
You can also share this URL to promote your e-petition or use the social network links available on your e-petition's page.
Thanks,
HM Government e-petitions http://epetitions.direct.gov.uk/

Alan Coote
Managing Director 
The Bay Radio
Office 01202 580200
Studio 01202 571028
Mobile 07801 518858

Email alan.coote at thebayradio.com
Web www.thebayradio.com
The Bay Radio, 25B Elliott Road, Bournemouth, BH11 8LQ

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