[cma-l] Frequency Availablity for CR stations

Mon Jun 9 12:35:00 BST 2014

 We have a big problem on a main road into Exmouth which is well within our TSA.
 We've raised the height of our TX site to its maximum allowed by Ofcom to improve this at a considerable cost to the station but, It didn't do anything and Ofcom won't do anymore.
 It's very frustrating as we are well respected locally for our very thorough traffic reports especially during severe conditions. Yet we continually receive complaints from listeners about the signal dropping in & out along this main route in and out of Exmouth, it's worse in the summer.
 We're at 25w vertical but some stations with a smaller TSA than ours have been given 50w vertical

 Andy,

 Bay Fm Radio
Tel: 01395 542 547 ext.2
Mob: 07772947199
www.bayfm.co.uk

Community Radio Licence No. CR236
Not-For-Profit Community Radio Station Ltd by Guarantee No. 6012335
Bay Fm Radio is run entirely by volunteers from the community for the community

Dairy Crest Premises,Salterton Units,Salterton Road,Exmouth,EX8 2NS

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From: Alan Coote <alan.coote at btinternet.com>
Date: Mon, 9 Jun 2014 00:50:12 +0100
To: Tony Bailey <studio at ravensoundradio.co.uk>
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Subject: Re: [cma-l] Frequency Availablity for CR stations
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  I think lower power stations should be allowed greater field strength, especially in highly urbanised areas. As we know, the signal at car aerial hight is subject to significant attenuation because of buildings. This often means a loss of actual practical coverage well within the TSA. Any city or large town CR station will testify to that. 

 This won't affect the area of protection too much as the signal tails off according to the inverse square law. 

 But better to first have good coverage for existing stations me thinks!

 Alan

On 8 Jun 2014, at 18:37, Tony Bailey <studio at ravensoundradio.co.uk> wrote:

   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)  
 In this post on our blog 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
   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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