Associated Broadcast Consultants

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We offer independent help and advice for radio broadcasters large or small. We sell consultancy know-how, not kit - so you know our advice is independent

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Last post: Dec 31, 2018
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Site title: Independent Help and Advice for Radio Broadcasters - Associated Broadcast Consultants
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Audio Phase inversions on the FM broadcast chain
Dec 31, 2018 · original
Audio phase inversions can cause big problems to your FM broadcast signal! Audio phase inversions are a relatively common problem in our experience.� In fact only today we just noticed a station near us that has one. We strongly suggest all station managers do some checks to ensure they do not have an Audio phase inversion. They lead to two pretty major impacts on FM. Impacts of Audio phase inversions Stereo Listeners – not all ears are sensitive to it, but those that are hear a really weird stereo – a bit like ultra-wide stereo, but not in a good way. It can also make the stereo signal quieter. Mono Listeners – the mono elements in your programming (eg vocals on songs, voiceovers on adverts) can get almost or completely cancelled out.� It sounds like you are playing the karaoke version of songs, and commercial music beds with no voiceover message! To explain these effects You need to go
Measured Coverage Area (MCA) Maps
Aug 15, 2018 · original
Many of you are probably familiar with the MCA maps that Ofcom publish for all Commercial and Community radio stations. These maps describe the formal administrative/legally licensed area of those stations. Strangely though, Ofcom is unwilling or unable to publish MCA maps for the other 58% of FM transmitters that it licences – namely the BBC sites.� In a response to a Freedom of Information request they suggested contacting the programme provider (eg the BBC) to discover the licensed area of the transmitters that carry their services. We have yet to find the right person in the BBC to get this information. In the meantime we’ve decided to produce our own coverage maps for EVERY licensed FM transmitter in the UK.� These are designed to be as “MCA-like ” as possible.� However they should be regarded as indicative only and not as a substitute for proper Ofcom-generated licensed area maps.�
Community Radio Coverage Improvements and Extensions – Advice for Stations in a Nutshell
Jul 9, 2018 · original
Introduction Ofcom have invited� stations to apply for�improvements to existing coverage and coverage extensions for community radio services.� Surprisingly they have not charged an application fee. This makes it “worth a punt” for stations to submit speculative applications. Even if you are not considering making an application, do not ignore this invitation. Think if there are any CR stations within say 50 miles of you on the same or adjacent frequency to you. If they get a power increase and you don’t, there is a risk your listenable area may reduce! In their invitation , Ofcom has defined two types of coverage enhancement, with two different sections in their application form : Coverage Improvement (closing date 23:59 hrs on 31 July 2018) – intended to mitigate interference, close coverage holes etc without changing the�description of licensed area Coverage Extension (closing date 23
Is Blocking or Adjacent Channel Interference the real problem with DAB reception?
Mar 8, 2018 · original
Photo: aldi.co.uk This post on Blocking and Adjacent Channel Interference in DAB started-off as a review of the DAB-FM convertor being sold in Aldi Supermarkets (right).� But halfway through the review we changed our minds on the emphasis of the review! As a result we suggest that Blocking on DAB receivers may be the real reason why so many people complain of “crap” reception of DAB services! Below we give a brief review of this product, and then explain some of the theory of Blocking and Adjacent Channel Interference. Aldi DAB-FM Convertor Review This unit currently retails for �34.99.� This is hardly an absolute steal, but still not bad value if your car does not have DAB and you want to listen to the (less than there ought to be) services that are uniquely available on DAB. Unboxing The unit was smaller than we expected and seems nice quality.� This deal includes an antenna, USB lead
P275 – Christmas come early!
Mar 6, 2018 · original
Pira P275 FM Modulation Analyser Look what those jolly nice people at Broadcast Warehouse have sent us to review! A Pira P275 FM modulation analyser. You may have seen our previous review of the older model P175 on this blog. We’ll be putting this one through its paces soon and reporting back here soon! Having openly declared this – let us say that our promise of independence remains: “Here at ABC we offer independent help and advice for radio broadcasters large or small. We sell consultancy know-how, not kit � so you know our advice is independent.” The post P275 – Christmas come early! appeared first on Associated Broadcast Consultants .
How to find FM Spectrum for 100’s More Stations in the UK
Dec 4, 2017 · original
There are loads of opinions on how Ofcom plans the nation’s VHF/FM broadcast spectrum, but until now very few facts. Therefore this year we have been on a journey to investigate the facts.� The result is this paper.� It is written from a technical, not a regulatoiry perspective, but (hopefully) is written in a fairly simple style which is accessible to non-technical people who have an appreciation of the basics of radio. Here is the Executive summary – the full document is 19 pages long and available here . This paper examines the impact of Protection Ratios on FM Broadcast spectrum planning in the UK. These parameters determine not only the reliability of reception, but also the ultimate capacity of that spectrum to deliver radio services. There are many opinions on both sides about Protection Ratios, but mostly to date they have been opinions, not facts. This paper therefore seeks to e
Advice on Ofcom Community Radio Coverage Extension
Oct 20, 2017 · original
Ofcom Consultation On 28th April this year in its Consultation Response �Ofcom indicated that after the current licensing round they would consider requests for Community Radio coverage extension for existing services (Paragraph 1.17). We suspect that there is considerable underlying demand for such coverage extensions – and thus we suggest that maybe the principle of “early bird gets the worm” will apply. Therefore we advise stations to start thinking about this task and be ready to move fast when Ofcom invite applications. Ways to Extend Coverage There are various ways to extend coverage – and the most effective solution will be different in each situation.� Possible ways are: Power boost Extend transmitter antenna height Move transmitter site Add relay transmitter/s Antenna changes A combination of the above Ofcom Coverage Extension Process Ofcom have not announced the process for thi
Advice on Ofcom Community Radio Coverage Extensions
Oct 20, 2017 · original
Ofcom Consultation On 28th April this year in its Consultation Response �Ofcom indicated that after the current licensing round they would consider requests for Community Radio coverage extensions for existing services (Paragraph 1.17). We suspect that there is considerable underlying demand for such coverage extensions – and thus we suggest that maybe the principle of “early bird gets the worm” will apply. Therefore we advise stations to start thinking about this task and be ready to move fast when Ofcom invite applications. Ways to Extend Coverage There are various ways to extend coverage – and the most effective solution will be different in each situation.� Possible ways are: Power boost Extend transmitter antenna height Move transmitter site Add relay transmitter/s Antenna changes A combination of the above Ofcom Coverage Extension Process Ofcom have not announced the process for th
Ofcom FM Frequency Availability
Oct 5, 2017 · original
We’ve had LOADS of enquiries about FM frequency availability – it seems Ofcom want to “outsource” this activity whilst retaining the cards to make a final decision, and without informing consultants like us who could help. We are sympathetic to the cause of new “challenger “broadcasters, but without the resources available to a big Government machine like Ofcom, it can seem difficult for stations to engage with them in a constructive way. We believe the best way is to look� at the situation through the “Ofcom periscope” and see the likelihood or not of a given request being viable according to their rules. BUT it’s difficult to give an honest, solid opinion because in addition to Ofcom’s tight technical restrictions (which we can model), they also have to apply judgement decisions – for example is a given interference area significant in terms of size or location? Also as a regulator the
Here is the News – A Review of Radio News Providers
Apr 10, 2017 · original
Here is the news Coming to you every hour on the hour Here is the news The weather’s fine but there may be a meteor shower No prizes for recognising that 1981 song from Electric Light Orchestra! � But if you are a community, internet or small radio broadcaster, what are your options for a reliable news bulletin at the top of each hour? � In this blog we review the pros and cons of three services, and give our independent recommendations. The three services we review below are: IRN/Sky – Well known provider that has been providing news bulletins since the start of UK commercial radio back in 1973 FSN – Feature Story News – London and Washington-based�organisation that produces affordable international news bulletins Radio News Hub – UK-based�team of journalists producing updates around the clock for radio stations. For each news service we assess the aspects that we think are most importa

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