[cma-l] Frequency Availablity for CR stations

Tony Bailey studio at ravensoundradio.co.uk
Sun Jun 8 18:37:15 BST 2014


A few observations:

ABC article: It's obvious from the 103.4 list that there are two 
stations running a kilowatt and one 7.5 kW so the channel is well 
clogged before you've tried to fit any more in.  The reuse distance at 
those power levels is probably 100+ miles.

Band Re-plan:  There was a lot of paperwork generated by the 107-108 
proposal, which would have given very local radio a leg up, needless to 
say it was "sallied".  You could try suggesting that this should be 
cleared out although I doubt if anyone will listen.

Review approaches by other regulators:  Try the FCC who have made use of 
low power channels since AM radio.  They also allow input from consultants!

Regards,  Tony Bailey


On 07/06/14 14:57, Associated Broadcast Consultants wrote:
> 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)
>
> Inthis 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 
> <mailto: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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