[cma-l] AM community

fantasy office office at fantasyradio.co.uk
Wed Sep 16 10:26:33 BST 2015 

Admittedly, an AM aerial is more awkward than FM, if only because of its 
size! and much less predictable. 1 kilowatt would be nice - but Ofcom 
wouldn't licence that power for a community station.
1 watt is the norm for RSLs. Even with a pretty inefficient aerial 
system, a 50 watt transmitter would be ideal.

Very few of the  'big' AM stations have anything like that power.
As an example, Sunshine in Ludlow has a remarkable footprint, and 
locally an excellent signal, even after dark. Their emrp is 160watts, 
the original transmitter putting 600 watts up the coax.

As we're discussing /community/ AM, think small - it can be beautiful.

*Phil Dawson**
**FANTASY RADIO 97FM**
**Devizes**
**Wiltshire.*


On 9/15/2015 6:25 PM, cma-l-request at mailman.commedia.org.uk wrote:
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> Today's Topics:
>
>     1.  AM community radio (Ian Hickling)
>     2. Re:  AM community radio (Alan Coote)
>     3. Re:  AMCR - SDR (Andy Clarke)
>
>
> ----------------------------------------------------------------------
>
> Message: 1
> Date: Tue, 15 Sep 2015 16:10:43 +0000
> From: Ian Hickling <transplanfm at hotmail.com>
> To: The Community Media Association Discussion List
> 	<cma-l at mailman.commedia.org.uk>
> Subject: [cma-l] AM community radio
> Message-ID: <DUB125-W86A31ED1BBCC08ED10A79DAD5C0 at phx.gbl>
> Content-Type: text/plain; charset="iso-8859-1"
>
> PhilI'm not denying at all that AM has its advantages and uses - and believe me I wasn't being negative - just very down-to-earth practical
> We've run AM RSLs with a guyed 18m pole with a top hat - and we have one CR running with the ?3500 classic Radica hinged plastic flagpole antenna.But we're talking here about a minimum ?15,000 investment a for a 5-year contract with the absolute requirement of being able to sell lots of airtime on a robust reliable signal.
> So - if you can produce a 1kW transmitter that will perform to Ofcom's satisfaction and an ATU that will handle that - you have a customer sitting here waiting.
>
> Ian Hickling
> Partner
>
> Office: 01635 578435  (7am-11pm UK time)Carphone: 07530 980115 (only responds when driving)6 Horn Street, Compton, NEWBURY, RG20 6QS
>
>> Date: Tue, 15 Sep 2015 13:52:18 +0100
>> From: office at fantasyradio.co.uk
>> To: cma-l at mailman.commedia.org.uk
>> Subject: [cma-l] AM community radio
>>
>> Afternoon all,
>>
>> For what it's worth, my own experience with AM is that you can get some
>> astonishing results! For several RSLs I have used a wire antenna, (an
>> inverted L) to great effect. The Earth mat consisting of wire netting
>> laid on the ground. Height is might as always, but even with only 20
>> metres, we were getting into Europe! I have reception reports to prove
>> it. I have also used a single 1 1/4" tube steel mast, with a 'top hat'
>> to increase top capacitance. I believe Radica used to do AM antennae
>> using a lamp post. (you can get a lamp post for about ?300)  The
>> standard RSL AM licence is for 1 watt. This gives a similar coverage to
>> FM at 25watts. Oh yes, and I designed and built my own transmitters,
>> using valves!
>>
>> Within the specified 5km radius for community radio, AM will do the job
>> nicely. (very important to get some good audio processing though) Also,
>> with fewer stations now on AM it could get better!
>>
>> Anybody want to know more? mail me at phildawson at lemonmail.co.uk.
>>
>> Phil Dawson
>> FANTASY RADIO97FM
>> Devizes
>> Wiltshire.
>>
>>
>>
>> On 15/09/2015 12:00, cma-l-request at mailman.commedia.org.uk wrote:
>>> Send cma-l mailing list submissions to
>>> 	cma-l at mailman.commedia.org.uk
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>>> To subscribe or unsubscribe via the World Wide Web, visit
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>>> or, via email, send a message with subject or body 'help' to
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>>>
>>> When replying, please edit your Subject line so it is more specific
>>> than "Re: Contents of cma-l digest..."
>>>
>>>
>>> Today's Topics:
>>>
>>>      1. Re:  AMCR - SDR (Associated Broadcast Consultants)
>>>      2.  AMCR - SDR (Ian Hickling)
>>>      3. Re:  Confession (Two Lochs Radio)
>>>
>>>
>>> ----------------------------------------------------------------------
>>>
>>> Message: 1
>>> Date: Tue, 15 Sep 2015 10:33:45 +0100
>>> From: Associated Broadcast Consultants <info at a-bc.co.uk>
>>> To: The Community Media Association Discussion List
>>> 	<cma-l at mailman.commedia.org.uk>
>>> Subject: Re: [cma-l] AMCR - SDR
>>> Message-ID:
>>> 	<CAG9-nrYO5ZHtH6B54QmMBYS1VZqzLaSJD39dX4W_jqJ_g95C3A at mail.gmail.com>
>>> Content-Type: text/plain; charset="utf-8"
>>>
>>> If anyone is interested I have Software Defined Radio for sale on Ebay at
>>> the moment.  I've used the same type of unit to run a DAB test multiplex.
>>> I'm pretty sure I've recall that someone has already written the code to
>>> run it as a DRM transmitter.
>>>
>>> http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/HackRF-One-Software-Defined-Radio-NEW-Unopened-FREE-Postage-BARGAIN-/271983417851?hash=item3f537999fb
>>>
>>> I can't help feeling though that the SDR is the "easy" part.  The difficult
>>> part is getting an efficient aerial system.
>>>
>>> Glyn
>>>
>> _______________________________________________
>>
>> Reply - cma-l at commedia.org.uk
>>
>> The cma-l mailing list is a members' service provided by the Community Media Association - http://www.commedia.org.uk
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> ------------------------------
>
> Message: 2
> Date: Tue, 15 Sep 2015 17:31:11 +0100
> From: Alan Coote <alan.coote at 5digital.co.uk>
> To: "cma-l at mailman.commedia.org.uk" <cma-l at mailman.commedia.org.uk>
> Subject: Re: [cma-l] AM community radio
> Message-ID: <8375A376-BF44-4015-B7ED-84D8D8B34297 at 5digital.co.uk>
> Content-Type: text/plain;	charset="UTF-8"
>
> Now that is proper radio! - Reminds me of shortwave station ?a friend? used to run. Got into Europe very easily until the tuning coil got a bit warn and set fire to his dad?s garden shed.
>
> Anyway well done Phil!
>
> Kind Regards
> Alan
>   
> Alan Coote
>   
> Hear
> Alan Every Week on Let?s Talk Business The UK?s Premier Radio Programme For
> Current and Future Entrepreneurs - Now Broadcast To Over 7 Million People  <http://www.letstalkbusinessonline.com/>
>   
> Email - alan.coote at 5digital.co.uk
> Phone - 0800 949 6655
> Mobile - 07801 518858
> Twitter - @TheAlanCoote <http://www.twitter.com/TheAlanCoote>
>
> Twitter - @LTBShow <http://www.twitter.com/TheAlanCoote>
> Web - http://www.LetsTalkBusinessOnline.com <http://www.5digital.co.uk/>
>
>
>
>
>
>
> On 15/09/2015 13:52, "Fantasy Radio Office" <cma-l-bounces at mailman.commedia.org.uk on behalf of office at fantasyradio.co.uk> wrote:
>
>> Afternoon all,
>>
>> For what it's worth, my own experience with AM is that you can get some
>> astonishing results! For several RSLs I have used a wire antenna, (an
>> inverted L) to great effect. The Earth mat consisting of wire netting
>> laid on the ground. Height is might as always, but even with only 20
>> metres, we were getting into Europe! I have reception reports to prove
>> it. I have also used a single 1 1/4" tube steel mast, with a 'top hat'
>> to increase top capacitance. I believe Radica used to do AM antennae
>> using a lamp post. (you can get a lamp post for about ?300)  The
>> standard RSL AM licence is for 1 watt. This gives a similar coverage to
>> FM at 25watts. Oh yes, and I designed and built my own transmitters,
>> using valves!
>>
>> Within the specified 5km radius for community radio, AM will do the job
>> nicely. (very important to get some good audio processing though) Also,
>> with fewer stations now on AM it could get better!
>>
>> Anybody want to know more? mail me at phildawson at lemonmail.co.uk.
>>
>> Phil Dawson
>> FANTASY RADIO97FM
>> Devizes
>> Wiltshire.
>>
>>
>>
>> On 15/09/2015 12:00, cma-l-request at mailman.commedia.org.uk wrote:
>>> Send cma-l mailing list submissions to
>>> 	cma-l at mailman.commedia.org.uk
>>>
>>> To subscribe or unsubscribe via the World Wide Web, visit
>>> 	http://mailman.commedia.org.uk/mailman/listinfo/cma-l
>>> or, via email, send a message with subject or body 'help' to
>>> 	cma-l-request at mailman.commedia.org.uk
>>>
>>> You can reach the person managing the list at
>>> 	cma-l-owner at mailman.commedia.org.uk
>>>
>>> When replying, please edit your Subject line so it is more specific
>>> than "Re: Contents of cma-l digest..."
>>>
>>>
>>> Today's Topics:
>>>
>>>      1. Re:  AMCR - SDR (Associated Broadcast Consultants)
>>>      2.  AMCR - SDR (Ian Hickling)
>>>      3. Re:  Confession (Two Lochs Radio)
>>>
>>>
>>> ----------------------------------------------------------------------
>>>
>>> Message: 1
>>> Date: Tue, 15 Sep 2015 10:33:45 +0100
>>> From: Associated Broadcast Consultants <info at a-bc.co.uk>
>>> To: The Community Media Association Discussion List
>>> 	<cma-l at mailman.commedia.org.uk>
>>> Subject: Re: [cma-l] AMCR - SDR
>>> Message-ID:
>>> 	<CAG9-nrYO5ZHtH6B54QmMBYS1VZqzLaSJD39dX4W_jqJ_g95C3A at mail.gmail.com>
>>> Content-Type: text/plain; charset="utf-8"
>>>
>>> If anyone is interested I have Software Defined Radio for sale on Ebay at
>>> the moment.  I've used the same type of unit to run a DAB test multiplex.
>>> I'm pretty sure I've recall that someone has already written the code to
>>> run it as a DRM transmitter.
>>>
>>> http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/HackRF-One-Software-Defined-Radio-NEW-Unopened-FREE-Postage-BARGAIN-/271983417851?hash=item3f537999fb
>>>
>>> I can't help feeling though that the SDR is the "easy" part.  The difficult
>>> part is getting an efficient aerial system.
>>>
>>> Glyn
>>>
>> _______________________________________________
>>
>> Reply - cma-l at commedia.org.uk
>>
>> The cma-l mailing list is a members' service provided by the Community Media Association - http://www.commedia.org.uk
>> Twitter: http://twitter.com/community_media
>> http://www.facebook.com/CommunityMediaAssociation
>> Canstream Internet Radio & Video: http://www.canstream.co.uk/
>> _______________________________________________
>>
>> Mailing list guidelines: http://www.commedia.org.uk/about/cma-email-lists/email-list-guidelines/
>> _______________________________________________
>>
>> To unsubscribe or manage your CMA-L mailing list subscription please visit:
>> http://mailman.commedia.org.uk/mailman/listinfo/cma-l
>
>
> ------------------------------
>
> Message: 3
> Date: Tue, 15 Sep 2015 18:06:03 +0100
> From: "Andy Clarke" <cma at severnfm.com>
> To: "'The Community Media Association Discussion List'"
> 	<cma-l at mailman.commedia.org.uk>
> Subject: Re: [cma-l] AMCR - SDR
> Message-ID: <03fb01d0efd8$ceb4e380$6c1eaa80$@com>
> Content-Type: text/plain; charset="utf-8"
>
> SDR is definitely the easy bit Glyn - one of my Hack RFs has been txing a  solid DAB signal now for 186 days (I still have 3)!! J
>
>   
>
> Kind Regards
>
> Andy S Clarke
>
> Managing Director - Ringtone.net Ltd.
>
>
>   <blocked::http://www.ringtone.net/aboutus.html> http://www.ringtone.net/aboutus.html
>
> cid:image003.png at 01D06D77.D7B3B940
> Severn FM is a registered trademark of Ringtone.net Ltd, a company  Registered in England No. 4225273.
>
>
>
>   
>
>   
>
>   
>
>   
>
> From: cma-l-bounces at mailman.commedia.org.uk [mailto:cma-l-bounces at mailman.commedia.org.uk] On Behalf Of Associated Broadcast Consultants
> Sent: 15 September 2015 10:34
> To: The Community Media Association Discussion List
> Subject: Re: [cma-l] AMCR - SDR
>
>   
>
> If anyone is interested I have Software Defined Radio for sale on Ebay at the moment.  I've used the same type of unit to run a DAB test multiplex.  I'm pretty sure I've recall that someone has already written the code to run it as a DRM transmitter.
>
> http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/HackRF-One-Software-Defined-Radio-NEW-Unopened-FREE-Postage-BARGAIN-/271983417851?hash=item3f537999fb
>
> I can't help feeling though that the SDR is the "easy" part.  The difficult part is getting an efficient aerial system.
>
> Glyn
>
>

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