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<p class=MsoNormal><font size=2 color=navy face=Arial><span style='font-size:
10.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:navy'>Dear All<o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=2 color=navy face=Arial><span style='font-size:
10.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:navy'><o:p> </o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=2 color=navy face=Arial><span style='font-size:
10.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:navy'>I have only been half following this, but
I do get the gist of it. Ian talks about folk not really doing their homework
properly and he does have a case. However, I can point out that in our case the
allocation of frequency / power / coverage was a bit of a mish mash cock-up.<o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=2 color=navy face=Arial><span style='font-size:
10.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:navy'><o:p> </o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=2 color=navy face=Arial><span style='font-size:
10.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:navy'>As you know, we were in the ‘’’restrictions’’’
category, we had to endure the constant whinging from the local commercial
Station (silk) and it was this that meant our launch was not going to be plain
sailing. The truth is, if we had said our main coverage area (officially) was
Macclesfield, we may not have gotten the licence. That’s why we had to
walk around on egg-shells and go for Bollington (just outside Macc) with a view
to including Macclesfield. We have always maintained that without Macclesfield
the project is a dead duck, and that still applies.<o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=2 color=navy face=Arial><span style='font-size:
10.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:navy'><o:p> </o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=2 color=navy face=Arial><span style='font-size:
10.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:navy'>On a scale of 1- 10 our coverage came in
at about 7. Off to the <st1:State w:st="on"><st1:place w:st="on">North West</st1:place></st1:State>
we drift into areas that we don’t want, with half dead spots just 4 miles
down the road in Macc. All that said, we were getting away with it until Ofcom
licensed Real in <st1:country-region w:st="on"><st1:place w:st="on">Wales</st1:place></st1:country-region>
…….. they now peck at us with hisses and crackles and spurts and we
do know that we have lost listeners because of it. On a scale of 1 – 10 our
coverage in Macclesfield has now dropt to 6 ! and inside some buildings
possibly 2 !<o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=2 color=navy face=Arial><span style='font-size:
10.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:navy'><o:p> </o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=2 color=navy face=Arial><span style='font-size:
10.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:navy'>We do need to be nearer to Macc and/or
higher …… there may soon be a discussion about a transmitter move
and we are literally only talking about half a mile tops. This would at least
push Real / or is it Heart ? back a bit.<o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=2 color=navy face=Arial><span style='font-size:
10.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:navy'><o:p> </o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=2 color=navy face=Arial><span style='font-size:
10.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:navy'>So the point I’m making is some
Stations are where they are due to matters outside of and beyond their control.
The thing that frustrates me (which kinda backs up Ian) is that sometimes
doing a few tweaks doesn’t harm anyone, it doesn’t interfere with
anyone but you still get told no.<o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=2 color=navy face=Arial><span style='font-size:
10.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:navy'><o:p> </o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=2 color=navy face=Arial><span style='font-size:
10.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:navy'>The main objection for us seems to be ‘’well,
you’re not licensed for Macclesfield’’
yes but we’re not licensed for Macclesfield because you
wouldn’t let us/the rules wouldn’t let us be licensed for
Macclesfield. We have always argued this case since day dot, and it is a valid
point. Silk fm had a power boost and are now out of the 116,000 category, they
are over
200,000
so, silk changed the rules, so did Ofcom, we didn’t. All we are doing is
running alongside the rules. We are out of one restriction, not because it was
the correct and moral thing to do, but for the complete wrong reasons. I still
have a very nasty taste in my mouth re:- this matter<o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=2 color=navy face=Arial><span style='font-size:
10.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:navy'><o:p> </o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=2 color=navy face=Arial><span style='font-size:
10.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:navy'>I find that in our business certainly over
the past 10 years, there has been one hell of a lot of goalpost moving and
ignoring things that don’t suit. What’s good for Geese and Ganders
spring to mind as well.<o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=2 color=navy face=Arial><span style='font-size:
10.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:navy'><o:p> </o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=2 color=navy face=Arial><span style='font-size:
10.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:navy'>Mmm ?<o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=2 color=navy face=Arial><span style='font-size:
10.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:navy'><o:p> </o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=2 color=navy face=Arial><span style='font-size:
10.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:navy'>Nick<o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=2 color=navy face=Arial><span style='font-size:
10.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:navy'><o:p> </o:p></span></font></p>
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<p class=MsoNormal><b><font size=2 face=Tahoma><span lang=EN-US
style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:Tahoma;font-weight:bold'>From:</span></font></b><font
size=2 face=Tahoma><span lang=EN-US style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:Tahoma'>
<st1:PersonName w:st="on">cma-l-bounces@mailman.commedia.org.uk</st1:PersonName>
[mailto:<st1:PersonName w:st="on">cma-l-bounces@mailman.commedia.org.uk</st1:PersonName>]
<b><span style='font-weight:bold'>On Behalf Of </span></b>Ian Hickling<br>
<b><span style='font-weight:bold'>Sent:</span></b> 25 September 2014 19:09<br>
<b><span style='font-weight:bold'>To:</span></b> RJ THORNE; The Community Media
AssociationDiscussion List<br>
<b><span style='font-weight:bold'>Subject:</span></b> [cma-l] CR on AM</span></font><span
lang=EN-US><o:p></o:p></span></p>
</div>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=3 face="Times New Roman"><span style='font-size:
12.0pt'><o:p> </o:p></span></font></p>
<div>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=3 face=Calibri><span style='font-size:12.0pt;
font-family:Calibri'>We see this all the time.<o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
<div>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=3 face=Calibri><span style='font-size:12.0pt;
font-family:Calibri'>Applicants take advice and make vital decisions without
consulting a propagation specialist and wonder why they don't get the coverage
their Licence requires.<br>
The original Application goes in with a notional transmitter site and a
coverage area someone has drawn on an OS map with a pencil round a jam-pot lid
- or something not much better qualified.<o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
</div>
<div>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=3 face=Calibri><span style='font-size:12.0pt;
font-family:Calibri'>When it comes to installing transmission the site has
already been agreed and we have to do what we can with what we're given - and
then get questions afterwards when the result isn't good enough.<o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
</div>
<div>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=3 face=Calibri><span style='font-size:12.0pt;
font-family:Calibri'>With VHF/FM we can plan reasonably well to give the
coverage that's specified. but we're always up against this "25 plus 25
giving a 5km radius fits all" edict which in most cases simply isn't
enough.<o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
</div>
<div>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=3 face=Calibri><span style='font-size:12.0pt;
font-family:Calibri'>At the moment we're looking at a station licensed to cover
two towns whose centres are 6km apart and the urban area alone spans a minimum
of 12 km but Ofcom refuses to consider two transmitters.<br>
So we proposed 100 + 100 on a central single site and that's refused too.<o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
</div>
<div>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=3 face=Calibri><span style='font-size:12.0pt;
font-family:Calibri'>Ofcom predicts coverage with its own excellent software
from the Applicant's proposals, tells him it's not good enough, but won't allow
another transmitter or higher power.<o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
</div>
<div>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=3 face=Calibri><span style='font-size:12.0pt;
font-family:Calibri'>With MW/AM as illustrated below it really is a shot on the
dark - and who suffers?<br>
The Licensee - who goes ahead and spends his (and other peoples') money - and
then wonders why his project fails.<o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
</div>
<div>
<p class=MsoNormal style='margin-bottom:12.0pt'><font size=3 face=Calibri><span
style='font-size:12.0pt;font-family:Calibri'>OK - an over-simplified analysis
maybe - but let's see who disagrees?
<o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
<div>
<div class=MsoNormal align=center style='text-align:center'><font size=3
face=Calibri><span style='font-size:12.0pt;font-family:Calibri'>
<hr size=2 width="100%" align=center id=stopSpelling>
</span></font></div>
<p class=MsoNormal style='margin-bottom:12.0pt'><font size=3 face=Calibri><span
style='font-size:12.0pt;font-family:Calibri'>Date: Thu, 25 Sep 2014 16:34:03
+0100<br>
From: rj.thorne@btinternet.com<br>
To: cma-l@mailman.commedia.org.uk<br>
Subject: Re: [cma-l] CRonAM<o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
<div>
<div>
<p class=MsoNormal style='background:white'><font size=2 color=black
face=Arial><span style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:black'>There
may well be life in the old dog yet but after our experience with <st1:place
w:st="on"><st1:PlaceType w:st="on">Forest</st1:PlaceType> of <st1:PlaceName
w:st="on">Dean Radio</st1:PlaceName></st1:place> I never want to be on AM
again. Throughout the life of the station we constantly got complaints about
the quality of the signal and spent thousands looking for ways to improve it.
Even with two frequencies and two transmitters (one of which had 250 watts)
there were whole areas of the Forest where the signal was either too poor to
listen to comfortably or didn't exist at all, especially at night.(We did get
picked up in <st1:country-region w:st="on"><st1:place w:st="on">Sweden</st1:place></st1:country-region>
though).<o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
</div>
<div>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=2 color=black face=Arial><span style='font-size:
10.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:black'><o:p> </o:p></span></font></p>
</div>
<div>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=2 color=black face=Arial><span style='font-size:
10.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:black'>I'm not a technical bod and didn't
understand many of the discussions and suggestions made except that most of
them cost way more than we could afford, still didn't offer too much and
certainly couldn't guarantee we'd get what we needed. The geography and geology
of the <st1:place w:st="on">Forest</st1:place> were major factors it seems, as
were the hundreds of thousands of trees. <o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
</div>
<div>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=2 color=black face=Arial><span style='font-size:
10.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:black'><o:p> </o:p></span></font></p>
</div>
<div>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=2 color=black face=Arial><span style='font-size:
10.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:black'>Personally I'm convinced the way forward
for those who can't get FM is to go digital in whatever form becomes
universally available.<o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
</div>
<div>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=2 color=black face=Arial><span style='font-size:
10.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:black'><o:p> </o:p></span></font></p>
</div>
<div>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=2 color=black face=Arial><span style='font-size:
10.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:black'><o:p> </o:p></span></font></p>
</div>
<div>
<div>
<div>
<p class=MsoNormal style='background:white'><b><font size=2 color=black
face=Arial><span style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:black;
font-weight:bold'>From:</span></font></b><font size=2 color=black face=Arial><span
style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:black'> fantasy office
<office@fantasyradio.co.uk><br>
<b><span style='font-weight:bold'>To:</span></b> cma-l@mailman.commedia.org.uk <br>
<b><span style='font-weight:bold'>Sent:</span></b> Thursday, 25 September 2014,
12:33<br>
<b><span style='font-weight:bold'>Subject:</span></b> [cma-l] CRonAM</span></font><font
color=black><span style='color:black'><o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
</div>
<div>
<p class=MsoNormal style='background:white'><font size=3 color=black
face="Times New Roman"><span style='font-size:12.0pt;color:black'><o:p> </o:p></span></font></p>
<div id=ecxyiv349658547>
<div>
<p class=MsoNormal style='background:white'><font size=3 color=black
face="Times New Roman"><span style='font-size:12.0pt;color:black'><br>
it's true to say AM is not considered very sexy these days, but there's life in
the old dog yet.<br>
<br>
Our first RSL broadcasts were on AM back in 1995, using a transmitter of my own
design, and we had good daytime reception over a wide area, with none of the
black spots you often get on low power FM! The antenna design is vital for AM,
but we were on 1 watt EMRP and we had listeners as far away as <st1:country-region
w:st="on">Sweden</st1:country-region> and <st1:country-region w:st="on"><st1:place
w:st="on">Germany</st1:place></st1:country-region>. It's worth remembering
that there are far fewer stations on AM these days, causing less interference,
so for community broadcasting, AM could be very worthwhile. especially when
backed up by a good quality stream.<br>
<br>
If anyone would like more info on AM, feel free to get in touch.<br>
<br>
<br>
Phil Dawson<br>
<br>
FANTASY RADIO 97FM <br>
<i><span style='font-style:italic'>DEVIZES AND MID WILTSHIRE</span></i><br>
<br>
<a href="mailto:office@fantasyradio.co.uk" target="_blank">office@fantasyradio.co.uk</a><br>
07710 027389 <o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
</div>
</div>
<p class=MsoNormal style='margin-bottom:12.0pt;background:white'><font size=3
color=black face="Times New Roman"><span style='font-size:12.0pt;color:black'><br>
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