[cma-l] Ujima Radio off air over power dispute

[Alan Coote]

Hi Ian,

 

I 100 percent agree. 

 

A contingency plan which all CRs can afford is to feed the output codec at
the TX; often this can as simple as from the stations internet stream into a
Barix Exstreamer.   

 

On more than one occasion we needed the TX fed from another location for
total STL failures, studio power outages and station moves. 

 

Although Ujima's issue is more complex, I'd advise all CR stations to have a
contingency plan which assumes lengthy problems at the studio. This could be
easy to engineer for a couple of hundred quid. 

 

Kind Regards

Alan

 

Alan Coote

Managing Director

5 Digital Limited

 

 <http://www.letstalkbusinessonline.com/> Hear Alan Every Week on Let's Talk
Business The UK's Premier Radio Programme For Current and Future
Entrepreneurs - Now Broadcast To 4 Million People  

 

 

From: cma-l-bounces at mailman.commedia.org.uk
[mailto:cma-l-bounces at mailman.commedia.org.uk] On Behalf Of Ian Hickling
Sent: 17 March 2014 12:17
To: Julian 10 Radio; cma-l
Subject: [cma-l] Ujima Radio off air over power dispute

 

This is all too common a situation.
Could we please have new guidance from the CMA to all CR stations as to how
to achieve:
 
The right kind of Tenancy Agreement with a site Owner for Studio and
Transmitter facilities.
Adequate Insurance by means of a CMA list of preferred Insurers for
Community Radio.
Stipulation of 24/7/365 access to a transmission system as is required by
Ofcom under the WTA.
Sensible UPS equipment that won't die at just the moment when it's needed -
not that it would solve Ujima's particular problem.
Better understanding by Ofcom of how difficult it can be for a small
not-for-profit organisation to stand its ground against a forceful Landlord
- with tangile back-up available when needed.
 
-----------------------------------------
 

> From: julian at 10radio.org
> Date: Fri, 14 Mar 2014 10:27:34 +0000
> To: cma-l at commedia.org.uk
> Subject: [cma-l] Bristol's Ujima Radio off-air over power dispute
> 
> A lesson, maybe, for all sub-tenants.
> 
> http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-bristol-26560232
> 
> Live broadcasts from a community radio station in Bristol have stopped
after power to its studios was cut off.
> 
> Ujima Radio said the "vital community service" was forced off-air on
Tuesday when the energy supplies were cut owing to landlords not paying the
bills.
> 
> Radio station chair Roger Griffith said it was "out of their control".
> 
> Leaseholders Ceed claimed Ujima's rent did not cover the amount of
electricity the station used and hoped it would be restored by Monday.
> 
> Ujima Radio is based in a council-owned building in Wilder Street, which
is let out to Ceed.
> 
> Bristol mayor George Ferguson said he was "asking for an urgent report"
into the situation at the station.
> 
> The power was switched off on Tuesday at 13:00 GMT after supplier Utility
Warehouse issued a court order for non-payment of bills.
> 
> Mr Griffith said Ujima Radio was fully up to date with all rent and rate
payments and was planning a peaceful demonstration on Friday.
> 
> Joseph Gomwalk, of Ceed, said: "We are in contact with Utility Warehouse
to sort out payment and we hope the power will be back on by Monday."
> 
> Utility Warehouse said: "Unfortunately, the landlord has not paid for any
of the electricity used in his entire building for a considerable time.
> 
> "We sympathise wholeheartedly with Ujima Radio and their listeners, but
their dispute is with the landlord, not ourselves."
> 
> Ujima Radio is licensed by Ofcom and is run by more than 130 volunteers.
It broadcasts music and talk shows and has between 19,000 and 24,000
listeners.
> 
> An Ofcom spokeswoman said Ujima Radio has alerted it of the situation.
> 
> "We are considering the appropriate next steps," she added.
> 
> 
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