[cma-l] Preparation

Tue Dec 23 15:29:52 GMT 2014

Dear All

I have always maintained that there is lots of higgledy piggledy rulings
a-foot   re:- Community Radio, and it was obvious to me from the outset that
it was a learning curve. Remember, some Stations have better Presenters than
others, some have better Volunteers than others, some have better Grant folk
than others and some in the cases of a lot of our technical debate have
better tecky guys .. and therefore on this issue have a head start.

The nature of our beast is that people are not meant to have head starts or
be better or worse we are all meant to soldier along doing the best we can
with what we've got, and the idea from the other end is that this ought to
be respected. Therefore if there are any 'oversights' then as you say a
sympathetic ear should always be at hand. I'm not sure if it is in some
cases.

This scenario of ''well your goose is cooked mate'' I ain't buying it, and
it goes against everything we stand for.

Silk fm at the drop of a hat got a power boost within the duration of 12
weeks max .. we've been going around in a bloody circle for over two years.

Please please don't anyone think for one minute that I am condoning opening
up a can of worms, a stampede or a free-for all, I am merely asking for a
bit of common sense, which I have to say has been left wanting   re :- this
Bill/Legislation for quite a while now. I'm not saying everything is wrong,
but some really obvious things that need sorting are still in place and
should have been gotten shot of a long time ago.

Our pointers, our advice, our situation, the legislation and dare I say the
nonsense of the 'restrictions' were never really explained properly, so we
were in a roundabout way running slightly blind. I may wear cloth cap and
clogs and at times my light on the Christmas Tree shines at half wattage,
but I am not completely Mr Numpty on these matters .. I am experienced in
life and have an abundance and bucket load of common sense, that puts me
(thank goodness on a level pegging)   I don't recall being born under a
Christmas log (but then again :-))

Lots of these (minor issues) could be fettled very easily .. the 'tough luck
too late' policy is not the answer and not acceptable, especially when it is
the authorities who changed the rules, gave out the 'other' licences. (they
have a right to do that of course they do, but others must be considered)
Things have changed through no fault of ours we need to be allowed to change
with the change as our needs are to be respected the same as everyone elses
.... I seem to recall that the buzzwords in Community Radio are 'opportunity
/ equality / community values'   this must be remembered at all times

All the best for Chrimbo, I will keep everyone posted as in the New Year I
shall be pulling the stops out. I'm off now to crawl back under my Christmas
log.

Merry Christmas Ho Ho Ho

Nick

  _____  

From: cma-l-bounces at mailman.commedia.org.uk
[mailto:cma-l-bounces at mailman.commedia.org.uk] On Behalf Of Alan Coote
Sent: 23 December 2014 11:00
To: 'The Community Media Association Discussion List'
Subject: Re: [cma-l] Preparation

Ian, et al 

Thanks. 

This confirms my experience that Ofcom use the 5km 25W argument for not
allowing alterations after launch. They are then rules not guidelines.
Commercial radio stations can and do alter their coverage if they make a
business case, again in my experience Ofcom look sympathetically on these
requests.  The logic it seems, is that Ofcom advertise Commercial licences
on the basis of a coverage area while Community Stations are not. 

The moral of the tail is therefore, ensure you have adequate coverage before
launch.

Kind Regards

Alan

From: Ian Hickling [mailto:transplanfm at hotmail.com] 
Sent: 22 December 2014 23:17
To: The Community Media Association Discussion List;
alan.coote at 5digital.co.uk
Subject: Preparation

Hi Alan

I can't recall any that we have been involved with after launch, but we have
been able to negotiate several increases and indeed additional transmitters
prior to launch.

That is over and above a number of transmitter relocations - and antenna
upgrades to maximise licensed power levels.

Following the revision of the Southend situation we are working on several
other CR enhancements we believe are justified on a similar basis.

Ian

  _____  

From: cma-l-bounces at mailman.commedia.org.uk
[mailto:cma-l-bounces at mailman.commedia.org.uk] On Behalf Of Alan Coote
Sent: 22 December 2014 09:13
To: 'The Community Media Association Discussion List'
Subject: Re: [cma-l] Preparation

Ian,

Are there any examples of CR stations based in England that have been
successful getting an increase in power once they are already on air?  

Kind Regards

Alan

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