<div dir="ltr">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)<div>
<br></div><div>In<a href="http://a-bc.co.uk/ofcom-fmvhf-protection-ratios-illustrated/"> this post on our blog</a> 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.</div>
<div><br></div><div>Perhaps more importantly, we also give some potential, pragmatic solutions to the issue.</div><div><br></div><div>Regards, Glyn</div><div><br></div><div class="gmail_extra">-- <br>Glyn Roylance - Principal Consultant<div>
<a href="http://www.a-bc.co.uk/" target="_blank">Associated Broadcast Consultants</a></div><br><div class="gmail_quote">On 5 June 2014 13:44, Ian Hickling <span dir="ltr"><<a href="mailto:transplanfm@hotmail.com" target="_blank">transplanfm@hotmail.com</a>></span> wrote:<br>
<blockquote class="gmail_quote" style="margin:0px 0px 0px 0.8ex;border-left-width:1px;border-left-color:rgb(204,204,204);border-left-style:solid;padding-left:1ex">
<div><div dir="ltr">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:<div><br></div><div><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0.0001pt;background:white">
<i><span style="font-size:12pt;font-family:Tahoma,sans-serif">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.</span></i><i style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-size:12pt;font-family:Tahoma,sans-serif"> </span></i></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:16.2pt;background:white"><i><span style="font-size:12pt;font-family:Tahoma,sans-serif">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.<u></u><u></u></span></i></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:16.2pt;background:white"><i><span style="font-size:12pt;font-family:Tahoma,sans-serif">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.<u></u><u></u></span></i></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:16.2pt;background:white"><i><span style="font-size:12pt;font-family:Tahoma,sans-serif">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.<u></u><u></u></span></i></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:16.2pt;background:white"><i><span style="font-size:12pt;font-family:Tahoma,sans-serif">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.<u></u><u></u></span></i></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:16.2pt;background:white"><i><span style="font-size:12pt;font-family:Tahoma,sans-serif">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.<u></u><u></u></span></i></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:16.2pt;background:white"><i><span style="font-size:12pt;font-family:Tahoma,sans-serif">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.<u></u><u></u></span></i></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:16.2pt;background:white"><i><span style="font-size:12pt;font-family:Tahoma,sans-serif">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.<u></u><u></u></span></i></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:16.2pt;background:white"><i><span style="font-size:12pt;font-family:Tahoma,sans-serif"><br></span></i></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:16.2pt;background:white"><span style="font-size:12pt"><font face="Calibri">Your comments would be appreciated.</font></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:16.2pt;background:white">
<span style="font-size:12pt"><font face="Calibri">Many thanks</font></span></p><span class=""><font color="#888888"><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:16.2pt;background:white"><span style="font-size:12pt"><font face="Calibri">Ian Hickling</font></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><i><span style="font-size:12pt;font-family:Tahoma,sans-serif"> </span></i></p></font></span></div> </div></div>
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