[cma-l] Frequency Availablity for CR stations

[Associated Broadcast Consultants]

Don't disagree Ian, but what to do about it?  Despite what some others may
think, Ofcom are a rational entity that makes decisions based upon fact and
science (if they didn't they would be accused of wasting taxpayers money).
 Thus they are extremely unlikely to ignore what the ITU says in its
recommendations of FM/VHF protection ratios. (I'm not saying you are saying
they should do this either)

In this post on our blog
<http://a-bc.co.uk/ofcom-fmvhf-protection-ratios-illustrated/> we give a
non-technical treatment of the subject of co-channel protection ratios that
some other readers may be interested in despite the rather teccie sound to
it .  It contains some pictures that clearly show the dramatic impact of
the protection ratios that Ofcom consider when doing their spectrum
planning.

Perhaps more importantly, we also give some potential, pragmatic solutions
to the issue.

Regards, Glyn

-- 
Glyn Roylance - Principal Consultant
Associated Broadcast Consultants <http://www.a-bc.co.uk/>

On 5 June 2014 13:44, Ian Hickling <transplanfm at hotmail.com> wrote:

> In anticipation of coverage of this subject in the Conference on the 14th
> I have today written to the relevant Officer of Ofcom as follows:
>
> *There appears to be a widespread assertion by Ofcom that there are either
> no or very few FM frequencies available in a number of areas for potential
> Community Radio stations.*
>
> *We have been contacted by potential Applicants in several of these areas
> and as part of our normal service we have carried out scans of spectral
> occupancy at locations where the Applicant's transmitter is planned to be
> located.*
>
> *In every case we have found a number of unoccupied channels which would
> be suitable for a low-power service, even when taking into account Ofcom's
> current stringent protection factors.*
>
> *It is we suggest unacceptable for Ofcom to state that out of a total of
> 204 possible FM channels in for example an area receiving 9 major radio
> services and another 21 usable broadcasts, that at least 1 of the 24
> frequencies we have identified is completely impossible to press into use
> for a local 50W transmitter.*
>
> *We do however accept that it would be completely unreal for Ofcom to
> carry out an on-site scan for available frequencies in every possible UK
> location - or to do so on receipt of every CR Application; but we suggest
> that it is equally unreal for Ofcom to issue blanket denials of capacity
> over such generalised wide areas.*
>
> *Another point here is that for Ofcom to suggest that AM is a feasible
> alternative to FM for Community Radio in the UK is from every conceivable
> practical viewpoint somewhere between misguided and a serious deception.*
>
> *In attempting to facilitate  as many Community Radio stations as possible
> - not just because it produces revenue for our business - but because it
> goes towards fulfilling a clear and laudable Government initiative - we are
> carrying out a realistic on-site occupancy scan for every potential CR
> Applicant who contacts us.*
>
> *I trust that Ofcom will conscientiously receive and analyse each one of
> these in good faith and with an open mind as part of its Statutory Duty,
> regardless of any perceived time or manpower considerations.*
>
>
> Your comments would be appreciated.
>
> Many thanks
>
> Ian Hickling
>
>
>
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