<div dir="ltr">Thanks to Alex's suggestion we have now updated our <a href="http://a-bc.co.uk/community-radio-station-map/">Community Radio Map</a> to include the Scottish not-for-profit stations that do not have a licence code starting "CR".<div><br></div><div><a href="http://a-bc.co.uk/community-radio-station-map/">http://a-bc.co.uk/community-radio-station-map/</a><br></div><div><br></div><div>Unfortunately the Irish grid converter does not take the format used in the Ofcom spreadsheet (the letters need converting into map square references). So if anyone has suggestions how to bulk convert Irish NGR's to Lat Long (or UK grid if necessary) then I'm all ears!</div><div><br></div><div>-- <br>Glyn Roylance - Principal Consultant<div><a href="http://www.a-bc.co.uk/" target="_blank">Associated Broadcast Consultants</a></div><div><a href="http://www.a-bc.co.uk/index.html" target="_blank"></a> </div></div><div><br><div class="gmail_extra"><br><div class="gmail_quote">On 24 September 2014 16:58, Two Lochs Radio <span dir="ltr"><<a href="mailto:tlr@gairloch.co.uk" target="_blank">tlr@gairloch.co.uk</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"><u></u>
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<div><font face="Calibri">Hi Glynn</font></div>
<div><font face="Calibri"></font> </div>
<div><font face="Calibri">That's a nice map for browsing, but as far as
mapping all transmitters to allow assessment of potential interference, it
surely isn't the way to go. As you'll be well aware you need much more than a
simple mapping of potential co-channels - you have to take into account
image channels and the directional power templates of antennas at the very
least, even before thinking about the intervening terrain. You also have
to take into account transmissions in neighbouring countries of
course.</font></div>
<div><font face="Calibri"></font> </div>
<div><font face="Calibri">I think all that can be done far more effectively
in tabular form than on a map.</font></div>
<div><font face="Calibri"></font> </div>
<div><font face="Calibri">Of course, the elephant in this particular
room is not in any case what frequencies are or aren't occupied, but
what parameters Ofcom applies in assessing their potential for mutual
interference - eg should a 99% confidence level or a 90% confidence level be
used, should second adjacent channel be regarded as safe or not? Those are
what make all the difference to the assumed potential for interference
between transmitters. Similarly, is potential interference acceptable for 0.1%
or 1% of the time or location? All these parameters are really what set the
technical bar as to whether or not there are channels available. Then
of course there are strategic and political issues, agrements for the BBC to
have priority use of certain sub-bands etc.</font></div>
<div><font face="Calibri"></font> </div>
<div><font face="Calibri">One thing that could be considered for releasing
more community radio frequencies is for Ofcom to reuse channels more
closely on the basis of a mutual agreement between stations that they will
not complain about the remote possibility of mutual interference less than say
1% of the time in 10% of their fringe. We have transmitters on the same
frequencies just a few miles apart, but terrain-limited with no significant
mutual interference in locations of interest, because we were able to agree not
to complain about our transmitters interfering with each other! A similar thing
happens on 96.6 between Nevis Radio (Fort William) and MFR
(Aviemore) in the Laggan area half way between them. I suspect many groups
would be willing to accept a service that might be subject to a little marginal
interference in some limited locations rather thna no licence at
all.</font></div>
<div><font face="Calibri"></font> </div>
<div><font face="Calibri">As for suggestions on the map, which is
nonetheless nice to have, could I suggest you add in the Scottish not-for-profit
stations that operate as non-profit community stations, but for historical
reasons have commercial licences (Cuillin FM, Two Lochs Radio, Lochbroom FM,
Argyll FM, Oban FM, Isles FM). That would give a more representative picture of
community radio cover in the northwest of the UK, which otherwise looks a bit
empty on the map! There are also community op-outs from MFR in the
north-east.</font></div>
<div><font face="Calibri"></font> </div>
<div><font face="Calibri">Also for adding the Northern Ireland stations
there is a batch convertor for Irish grid references here <a href="http://www.osi.ie/calculators/batch.asp?alias=/services/gps-services/co-ordinate-converter" target="_blank">http://www.osi.ie/calculators/batch.asp?alias=/services/gps-services/co-ordinate-converter</a></font></div><span class="">
<div><font face="Calibri"></font> </div>
<div><font face="Calibri">Alex</font></div>
<div><font face="Calibri"></font> </div>
<div><font face="Calibri"></font> </div>
<div><br></div></span></div></blockquote></div><br clear="all"><div><br></div><br>
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