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This bit:<BR>
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<EM>Applicants are advised to secure professional advice on the coverage <BR>which their proposals are likely to achieve, including an interpretation <BR>of what robustness of reception is implied by a given level of coverage. <BR>Proposals should be broadly in accordance with the above guidance, <BR>although applicants may of course make comments on issues which arise <BR>from coverage predictions, in relation to their particular objectives.<BR></EM><BR>
says it all!<BR>
Strange as it may seem - it does help if you read the rules and the notes beforehand!<BR><BR>
<P class=ecxMsoNormal><SPAN>------------------------------------</SPAN></P>
<P style="MARGIN-BOTTOM: 12pt" class=ecxMsoNormal><B><SPAN style="COLOR: rgb(38,38,38)">Ian Hickling<BR></SPAN></B><B><SPAN>Partner</SPAN></B></P>
<P style="MARGIN-BOTTOM: 12pt" class=ecxMsoNormal><B><SPAN>transplan UK<BR><BR></SPAN></B></P>
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<DIV>
> Date: Tue, 18 Oct 2011 10:42:33 +0100<BR>> From: studio@ravensoundradio.co.uk<BR>> To: alan.coote@btinternet.com<BR>> CC: ian@transplan.uk.com; cma-l@commedia.org.uk<BR>> Subject: Re: [cma-l] DCMS consultation meetings on amendments to community radio law<BR>> <BR>> Another rummage through cobweb corner:<BR>> <BR>> The original Notes of Guidance issued by Ofcom. Although these refer to<BR>> the 5 km radius, which stems from "Licensing Community Radio" 2 Aug<BR>> 2004; Section 5 Policy on allocation of spectrum and coverage areas, it<BR>> also refers to commercial radio coverage. I think the criteria were<BR>> altered subsequently to account for higher levels of interference<BR>> expected in CR areas.<BR>> <BR>> It seems likely that an increased height site might actually require a <BR>> reduction in ERP!<BR>> <BR>> It also appears that AM powers above 70 watts have been authorised <BR>> although this may be due to high attenuation in built-up areas.<BR>> <BR>> Part 4: Engineering<BR>> <BR>> Coverage areas and power levels<BR>> <BR>> 4.1 On FM, community radio stations are expected to cover areas of <BR>> typically up to 5 kms in radius, although terrain, site choice and other <BR>> local factors may well cause unacceptably low signal levels in some <BR>> locations within that area. Over more hilly terrain, AM frequencies may <BR>> provide more dependable signals and for these, daytime coverage of <BR>> slightly larger areas may be acceptable. For both FM and AM, Ofcom's <BR>> standard criteria for the definition of commercial radio 'coverage' will <BR>> apply. These are currentl those previously applied by The Radio <BR>> Authority, which are not expected to change significantly in the <BR>> immediate future.<BR>> <BR>> 4.2 On FM, a typical maximum effective radiated power (e.r.p.) of 25 <BR>> Watts will be allowed in the vertical plane. This may be supplemented by <BR>> up to an additional 25 Watts in the horizontal plane, if required by the <BR>> applicant and local circumstances permitting. The actual power level <BR>> required to meet the 5 km coverage requirement will depend on aerial <BR>> height. Because greater aerial height is generally the most effective <BR>> approach to securing better coverage, a higher site will generally imply <BR>> a lower e.r.p.<BR>> <BR>> FM services with a total e.r.p. of greater than 25 Watts (the sum of the <BR>> vertical and horizontal components taken together), will require <BR>> additional clearance procedures. Applicants should note that these <BR>> procedures will add to the length of time to obtain frequency clearance. <BR>> The exact maximum power levels of individual AM licences will also <BR>> depend on the coverage limits and the frequency used, but 20 to 70 watts <BR>> effective monopole radiated power (e.m.r.p.) would be a typical maximum <BR>> power allowed.<BR>> <BR>> Applicants are advised to secure professional advice on the coverage <BR>> which their proposals are likely to achieve, including an interpretation <BR>> of what robustness of reception is implied by a given level of coverage. <BR>> Proposals should be broadly in accordance with the above guidance, <BR>> although applicants may of course make comments on issues which arise <BR>> from coverage predictions, in relation to their particular objectives.<BR>> <BR>> Regards, Tony Bailey<BR>> <BR>> <BR>> <BR>> Alan Coote wrote:<BR>> > Hi Ian, Jaqui et al,<BR>> > <BR>> > <BR>> > <BR>> > Here’s my evidence that Ofcom are not willing to help CR stations<BR>> > cover their intended area.<BR>> > <BR>> > <BR>> > <BR>> > It clearly state a ‘general policy’ with respect to output power and<BR>> > multi frequency.<BR>> > <BR>> > <BR>> > <BR>> > The response below was received following the submission of an Arqiva<BR>> > researched report into covering our existing designated area.<BR>> > Needless to say we were not impressed, given that the technical<BR>> > report was comprehensive and evidenced.<BR>> > <BR>> > <BR>> > <BR>> > FYI The Bay 102.8 TX is located on the highest building (30m AGL) on<BR>> > the highest hill (62m ASL) in the centre of our area – there is no<BR>> > better site!<BR>> > <BR>> > <BR>> > <BR>> > Yet - Read for yourself…<BR>> > <BR>> > <BR>> > <BR>> > <BR>> > <BR>> > “Dear Alan,<BR>> > <BR>> > <BR>> > <BR>> > I am writing with regard to your request of 11 November, acknowledged<BR>> > on 17 November. [2010 – this shows how long we had this issue]<BR>> > <BR>> > <BR>> > <BR>> > The contents of your report are noted. You asked us to consider <BR>> > increasing your transmitter power to 100 Watts e.r.p., and for an <BR>> > additional frequency for a “fill-in” transmitter. These requests<BR>> > have now been considered and I am sorry, but we are not able to agree<BR>> > to either of them.<BR>> > <BR>> > <BR>> > <BR>> > The usual maximum effective radiated power (e.r.p.) for community<BR>> > radio services is 25 Watts in the vertical plane with an additional<BR>> > 25 Watts in the horizontal plane, if required. Your request for a<BR>> > power increase to 100 Watts e.r.p. is outside this general *policy*,<BR>> > and for that reason we are not able to agree to it.<BR>> > <BR>> > <BR>> > <BR>> > With regard to a second frequency, as stated below, our general<BR>> > *policy* with regards to FM frequencies for community radio services<BR>> > is that we will allocate one frequency per service, and we are<BR>> > therefore not able to agree to your request for an additional<BR>> > frequency for your service.<BR>> > <BR>> > <BR>> > <BR>> > Regards,<BR>> > <BR>> > <BR>> > <BR>> > *:: Soo Williams** *Manager, Community Radio and RSLs Direct line:<BR>> > 020 7783 4319 *susan.williams@ofcom.org.uk*<BR>> > <mailto:susan.williams@ofcom.org.uk><BR>> > <BR>> > <BR>> > *:: Ofcom** *Riverside House 2a Southwark Bridge Road London SE1 9HA <BR>> > 020 7981 3000 *www.ofcom.org.uk* <http://www.ofcom.org.uk><BR>> > <BR>> > “<BR>> > <BR>> > <BR>> > <BR>> > <BR>> > <BR>> > *From:* cma-l-bounces@mailman.commedia.org.uk <BR>> > [mailto:cma-l-bounces@mailman.commedia.org.uk] *On Behalf Of *Ian<BR>> > Hickling *Sent:* 15 October 2011 10:22 AM *To:* cma-l *Subject:*<BR>> > [cma-l] DCMS consultation meetings on amendments to community radio<BR>> > law<BR>> > <BR>> > <BR>> > <BR>> > <BR>> > Sorry - the "restriction" is not abritrary. Unless you can of course<BR>> > show me where it is enshrined in Law, conveyed by Ofcom in writing,<BR>> > or expressed as such by Ofcom to any Applicant or Licensee. I've<BR>> > never seen any of these instances, but I'm happy to be corrected.<BR>> > <BR>> > In technical terms of course, you can't stop radio signals from <BR>> > travelling more than any specified distance. The way is could be<BR>> > expressed - but isn't - is by saying that there must be no signal at<BR>> > a specific strength receivable under specific conditions at any point<BR>> > further than 5km from the transmitter. Again, I have never seen this<BR>> > stipulated by Ofcom nor by the Radio Authority in 15 years as a<BR>> > general restriction - only in very specific cases where a licensee is<BR>> > required to protect the MCA of an existing broadcaster.<BR>> > <BR>> > Please - let's deal in hard facts - not in conjecture or hearsay.<BR>> > <BR>> > ------------------------------------<BR>> > <BR>> > *Ian Hickling **Partner*<BR>> > <BR>> > *transplan UK*<BR>> > <BR>> > <BR>> > <BR>> > ------------------------------------------------------------------------<BR>> > <BR>> > <BR>> > From: cma-l@commedia.org.uk Date: Fri, 14 Oct 2011 17:35:27 +0100 To:<BR>> > cma-l@commedia.org.uk Subject: Re: [cma-l] DCMS consultation meetings<BR>> > on amendments to community radio law<BR>> > <BR>> > ---------- Forwarded message ----------<BR>> > <BR>> > From: Gary Jackson <gary.jackson@skylinegold.co.uk <BR>> > <mailto:gary.jackson@skylinegold.co.uk>> To: CMA-L<BR>> > <cma-l@commedia.org.uk <mailto:cma-l@commedia.org.uk>> Date: Fri, 14<BR>> > Oct 2011 16:17:23 +0100<BR>> > <BR>> > On 14/10/2011 15:34, Alan Coote wrote:<BR>> > <BR>> > Hi Ian et al,<BR>> > <BR>> > /In simple terms, Ofcom says "Tell us the Community you wish to cover<BR>> > - and how you propose doing it. If you look on Ofcom's published "TX<BR>> > Params", you'll see the stations that have asked for and got much<BR>> > higher powers and sites. / My direct experience is that this simply<BR>> > not true!<BR>> > <BR>> > Ofcom hide behind what they have called a ‘Policy’ to limit CR to 25<BR>> > Watts ERP. The restriction is real and affects many stations outside<BR>> > of remote parts of Wales and Scotland. There are 21 stations which<BR>> > have great than 25W ERP.<BR>> > <BR>> > For the rest of us, the 5km limit is arbitrary and a nonsense. It<BR>> > should be removed.<BR>> > <BR>> > ++<BR>> > <BR>> > Our experience is the same as Alan's. We had two people living well <BR>> > within the 5km radius. Both wrote to support our application to Ofcom<BR>> > to increase our signal because neither could receive us.<BR>> > <BR>> > Our application was turned down flat<BR>> > <BR>> > Gary<BR>> > <BR>> > <BR>> > _______________________________________________ Reply - <BR>> > cma-l@commedia.org.uk <mailto:cma-l@commedia.org.uk> The cma-l<BR>> > mailing list is a members' service provided by the Community Media<BR>> > Association - http://www.commedia.org.uk Twitter:<BR>> > http://twitter.com/community_media <BR>> > http://www.facebook.com/CommunityMediaAssociation Canstream Internet<BR>> > Radio & Video: http://www.canstream.co.uk/ <BR>> > _______________________________________________ Mailing list<BR>> > guidelines: <BR>> > http://www.commedia.org.uk/about/cma-email-lists/email-list-guidelines/<BR>> > _______________________________________________ To unsubscribe or<BR>> > manage your CMA-L mailing list subscription please visit: <BR>> > http://mailman.commedia.org.uk/mailman/listinfo/cma-l<BR>> > <BR>> <BR>> <BR>> -- <BR>> <BR>> Local Reports and Vintage Tunes 24/7 at www.ravensoundradio.co.uk<BR>> <BR>> Raven Sound PO Box 1062 Bromley BR1 9QA UK<BR>> <BR>> Call or Text: 0775 896 2392 Int: + 44 775 896 2392<BR>> Call or Text: 0775 723 5819 Int: + 44 775 723 5819<BR>> <BR>> Skype: ravensound<BR>> <BR>> Raven Sound is a voluntary sector community media project<BR>> <BR>> This email is for the addressee(s) only and may be confidential. If you<BR>> are not the intended recipient please notify the sender by reply email<BR>> and immediately delete this email. No guarantee is provided that this<BR>> email or any attachments are free of viruses.<BR></DIV> </div></body>
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