[IRCA] Fwd: [mwcircle] Absolute Radio MW coverage cut approved
Our trans-Atlantic beacon in western Canada will lose some zip next season. In the article that Mike Terry references below, the link references another link: https://www.ofcom.org.uk/__data/assets/pdf_file/0022/112918/Statement-Absolute-Radio-proposals-to-reduce-AM-coverage.pdf which gives more technical details. The important thing for DXers is 3dB reduction in power output from their big transmitters, the ones most likely to make it overseas. From Mike Terry, MW Circle: a516digital.com 13 April 2018 Ofcom has approved Absolute Radio's plans to cut Medium Wave coverage. Bauer Media, the operator of the radio station, threatened to close the entire Medium Wave service if Ofcom didn't approve of the change. The plans involve cutting the number of transmitters it broadcasts from, while digital radio would remain unaffected. Following a public consultation, which yielded a variety of responses for and against the move, Ofcom has agreed that the changes can take place. The request to broadcast regulator Ofcom made at the beginning of the year confirmed the change would reduce Absolute's analogue footprint from around 90 to 85% of the UK and would involve a number of Medium Wave transmitters being turned off, or put on reduced power. Absolute Radio's AM service from its transmitters at Brookmans Park (serving London and the Home Counties), Droitwich (Midlands), Moorside Edge (Northern England), Westerglen (Central Scotland) and Washford (South West), will be put on reduced power this year. Meanwhile, MW transmitters at Plymouth, Redmoss (Aberdeen), Hull, Torbay, Redruth, Hoo (Kent), Greenside Scalp (Dundee), Wallasey, Pirbright (Guildford), Chesterton Fen (Cambridge), Rodbourne Sewage (Swindon) and Sheffield will be turned off altogether. Article continues here, with maps of coverage areas. https://www.a516digital.com/2018/04/absolute-radio-mw-coverage-cut-approved.html Posted by: Mike Terry Nick Hall-Patch Victoria, BC Canada ___ IRCA mailing list IRCA@hard-core-dx.com http://montreal.kotalampi.com/mailman/listinfo/irca Opinions expressed in messages on this mailing list are those of the original contributors and do not necessarily reflect the opinion of the IRCA, its editors, publishing staff, or officers For more information: http://www.ircaonline.org To Post a message: irca@hard-core-dx.com
Re: [IRCA] Fwd: [mwcircle] Absolute Radio MW coverage cut approved
While I am mindful of the tenuous nature of TA propagation to Western NA, my opinion is that propagation conditions are proportionately more responsible for these receptions, and the small reductions in power may not have as much impact as might be thought. If propagation conditions are marginal to begin with, then these power reductions could preclude reception, however under better conditions, perhaps not so much. Russ Edmunds WB2BJH Blue Bell, PA Grid FN20id From: IRCA on behalf of Nick Hall-Patch Sent: Saturday, April 14, 2018 11:32:04 AM To: Mailing list for the International Radio Club of America Subject: [IRCA] Fwd: [mwcircle] Absolute Radio MW coverage cut approved Our trans-Atlantic beacon in western Canada will lose some zip next season. In the article that Mike Terry references below, the link references another link: https://www.ofcom.org.uk/__data/assets/pdf_file/0022/112918/Statement-Absolute-Radio-proposals-to-reduce-AM-coverage.pdf which gives more technical details. The important thing for DXers is 3dB reduction in power output from their big transmitters, the ones most likely to make it overseas. From Mike Terry, MW Circle: >a516digital.com > >13 April 2018 > >Ofcom has approved Absolute Radio's plans to cut Medium Wave coverage. >Bauer Media, the operator of the radio station, threatened to close >the entire Medium Wave service if Ofcom didn't approve of the >change. The plans involve cutting the number of transmitters it >broadcasts from, while digital radio would remain unaffected. > >Following a public consultation, which yielded a variety of >responses for and against the move, Ofcom has agreed that the >changes can take place. > >The request to broadcast regulator Ofcom made at the beginning of >the year confirmed the change would reduce Absolute's analogue >footprint from around 90 to 85% of the UK and would involve a number >of Medium Wave transmitters being turned off, or put on reduced power. > >Absolute Radio's AM service from its transmitters at Brookmans Park >(serving London and the Home Counties), Droitwich (Midlands), >Moorside Edge (Northern England), Westerglen (Central Scotland) and >Washford (South West), will be put on reduced power this year. > >Meanwhile, MW transmitters at Plymouth, Redmoss (Aberdeen), Hull, >Torbay, Redruth, Hoo (Kent), Greenside Scalp (Dundee), Wallasey, >Pirbright (Guildford), Chesterton Fen (Cambridge), Rodbourne Sewage >(Swindon) and Sheffield will be turned off altogether. > > >Article continues here, with maps of coverage areas. > >https://www.a516digital.com/2018/04/absolute-radio-mw-coverage-cut-approved.html > > > >Posted by: Mike Terry > > > > Nick Hall-Patch Victoria, BC Canada ___ IRCA mailing list IRCA@hard-core-dx.com http://montreal.kotalampi.com/mailman/listinfo/irca Opinions expressed in messages on this mailing list are those of the original contributors and do not necessarily reflect the opinion of the IRCA, its editors, publishing staff, or officers For more information: http://www.ircaonline.org To Post a message: irca@hard-core-dx.com ___ IRCA mailing list IRCA@hard-core-dx.com http://montreal.kotalampi.com/mailman/listinfo/irca Opinions expressed in messages on this mailing list are those of the original contributors and do not necessarily reflect the opinion of the IRCA, its editors, publishing staff, or officers For more information: http://www.ircaonline.org To Post a message: irca@hard-core-dx.com
Re: [IRCA] Fwd: [mwcircle] Absolute Radio MW coverage cut approved
I think you said a mouthful Russ, at least with "propagation conditions are marginal to begin with". Most DXers could care less about carrier strength; they want to hear an ID. 3dB is half an S-unit, yet not small, it is half the power; the accountants will be very happy. I suspect that it will likely significantly reduce the number of times weak audio is reported here (and might be paralleled with a European SDR), but probably won't reduce the few times that Absolute Radio is banging in enough that a DXer actually hears an IDand yes, it has happened. best wishes, Nick At 15:58 2018-04-14, Russ Edmunds wrote: While I am mindful of the tenuous nature of TA propagation to Western NA, my opinion is that propagation conditions are proportionately more responsible for these receptions, and the small reductions in power may not have as much impact as might be thought. If propagation conditions are marginal to begin with, then these power reductions could preclude reception, however under better conditions, perhaps not so much. Russ Edmunds WB2BJH Blue Bell, PA Grid FN20id From: IRCA on behalf of Nick Hall-Patch Sent: Saturday, April 14, 2018 11:32:04 AM To: Mailing list for the International Radio Club of America Subject: [IRCA] Fwd: [mwcircle] Absolute Radio MW coverage cut approved Our trans-Atlantic beacon in western Canada will lose some zip next season. In the article that Mike Terry references below, the link references another link: https://www.ofcom.org.uk/__data/assets/pdf_file/0022/112918/Statement-Absolute-Radio-proposals-to-reduce-AM-coverage.pdf which gives more technical details. The important thing for DXers is 3dB reduction in power output from their big transmitters, the ones most likely to make it overseas. From Mike Terry, MW Circle: >a516digital.com > >13 April 2018 > >Ofcom has approved Absolute Radio's plans to cut Medium Wave coverage. >Bauer Media, the operator of the radio station, threatened to close >the entire Medium Wave service if Ofcom didn't approve of the >change. The plans involve cutting the number of transmitters it >broadcasts from, while digital radio would remain unaffected. > >Following a public consultation, which yielded a variety of >responses for and against the move, Ofcom has agreed that the >changes can take place. > >The request to broadcast regulator Ofcom made at the beginning of >the year confirmed the change would reduce Absolute's analogue >footprint from around 90 to 85% of the UK and would involve a number >of Medium Wave transmitters being turned off, or put on reduced power. > >Absolute Radio's AM service from its transmitters at Brookmans Park >(serving London and the Home Counties), Droitwich (Midlands), >Moorside Edge (Northern England), Westerglen (Central Scotland) and >Washford (South West), will be put on reduced power this year. > >Meanwhile, MW transmitters at Plymouth, Redmoss (Aberdeen), Hull, >Torbay, Redruth, Hoo (Kent), Greenside Scalp (Dundee), Wallasey, >Pirbright (Guildford), Chesterton Fen (Cambridge), Rodbourne Sewage >(Swindon) and Sheffield will be turned off altogether. > > >Article continues here, with maps of coverage areas. > >https://www.a516digital.com/2018/04/absolute-radio-mw-coverage-cut- approved.html > > > >Posted by: Mike Terry > > > > Nick Hall-Patch Victoria, BC Canada ___ IRCA mailing list IRCA@hard-core-dx.com http://montreal.kotalampi.com/mailman/listinfo/irca Opinions expressed in messages on this mailing list are those of the original contributors and do not necessarily reflect the opinion of the IRCA, its editors, publishing staff, or officers For more information: http://www.ircaonline.org To Post a message: irca@hard-core-dx.com ___ IRCA mailing list IRCA@hard-core-dx.com http://montreal.kotalampi.com/mailman/listinfo/irca Opinions expressed in messages on this mailing list are those of the original contributors and do not necessarily reflect the opinion of the IRCA, its editors, publishing staff, or officers For more information: http://www.ircaonline.org To Post a message: irca@hard-core-dx.com Nick Hall-Patch Victoria, BC Canada ___ IRCA mailing list IRCA@hard-core-dx.com http://montreal.kotalampi.com/mailman/listinfo/irca Opinions expressed in messages on this mailing list are those of the original contributors and do not necessarily reflect the opinion of the IRCA, its editors, publishing staff, or officers For more information: http://www.ircaonline.org To Post a message: irca@hard-core-dx.com
Re: [IRCA] Fwd: [mwcircle] Absolute Radio MW coverage cut approved
Absolute is still a beacon for us on the EC. Back in the 70's it was Germany on 1586, France on 1554 or this one. When the first two shut down, Croatia on 1134 took their place. Now it's Absolute and Spain on 684. Russ Edmunds WB2BJH Blue Bell, PA Grid FN20id From: IRCA on behalf of Nick Hall-Patch Sent: Saturday, April 14, 2018 12:17:38 PM To: Mailing list for the International Radio Club of America; Mailing list for the International Radio Club of America Subject: Re: [IRCA] Fwd: [mwcircle] Absolute Radio MW coverage cut approved I think you said a mouthful Russ, at least with "propagation conditions are marginal to begin with". Most DXers could care less about carrier strength; they want to hear an ID. 3dB is half an S-unit, yet not small, it is half the power; the accountants will be very happy. I suspect that it will likely significantly reduce the number of times weak audio is reported here (and might be paralleled with a European SDR), but probably won't reduce the few times that Absolute Radio is banging in enough that a DXer actually hears an IDand yes, it has happened. best wishes, Nick At 15:58 2018-04-14, Russ Edmunds wrote: >While I am mindful of the tenuous nature of TA propagation to >Western NA, my opinion is that propagation conditions are >proportionately more responsible for these receptions, and the > >small reductions in power may not have as much impact as might be >thought. If propagation conditions are marginal to begin with, then >these power reductions could preclude reception, however under >better conditions, perhaps not so much. > > >Russ Edmunds > >WB2BJH > >Blue Bell, PA > >Grid FN20id > > >From: IRCA on behalf of Nick >Hall-Patch >Sent: Saturday, April 14, 2018 11:32:04 AM >To: Mailing list for the International Radio Club of America >Subject: [IRCA] Fwd: [mwcircle] Absolute Radio MW coverage cut approved > >Our trans-Atlantic beacon in western Canada will lose some zip next >season. In the article that Mike Terry references below, the link >references another link: > >https://www.ofcom.org.uk/__data/assets/pdf_file/0022/112918/Statement-Absolute-Radio-proposals-to-reduce-AM-coverage.pdf > >which gives more technical details. The important thing for DXers >is 3dB reduction in power output from their big transmitters, the >ones most likely to make it overseas. > > > > From Mike Terry, MW Circle: > > >a516digital.com > > > >13 April 2018 > > > >Ofcom has approved Absolute Radio's plans to cut Medium Wave coverage. > >Bauer Media, the operator of the radio station, threatened to close > >the entire Medium Wave service if Ofcom didn't approve of the > >change. The plans involve cutting the number of transmitters it > >broadcasts from, while digital radio would remain unaffected. > > > >Following a public consultation, which yielded a variety of > >responses for and against the move, Ofcom has agreed that the > >changes can take place. > > > >The request to broadcast regulator Ofcom made at the beginning of > >the year confirmed the change would reduce Absolute's analogue > >footprint from around 90 to 85% of the UK and would involve a number > >of Medium Wave transmitters being turned off, or put on reduced power. > > > >Absolute Radio's AM service from its transmitters at Brookmans Park > >(serving London and the Home Counties), Droitwich (Midlands), > >Moorside Edge (Northern England), Westerglen (Central Scotland) and > >Washford (South West), will be put on reduced power this year. > > > >Meanwhile, MW transmitters at Plymouth, Redmoss (Aberdeen), Hull, > >Torbay, Redruth, Hoo (Kent), Greenside Scalp (Dundee), Wallasey, > >Pirbright (Guildford), Chesterton Fen (Cambridge), Rodbourne Sewage > >(Swindon) and Sheffield will be turned off altogether. > > > > > >Article continues here, with maps of coverage areas. > > > >https://www.a516digital.com/2018/04/absolute-radio-mw-coverage-cut- > approved.html > > > > > > > >Posted by: Mike Terry > > > > > > > > > >Nick Hall-Patch >Victoria, BC >Canada > >___ >IRCA mailing list >IRCA@hard-core-dx.com >http://montreal.kotalampi.com/mailman/listinfo/irca > >Opinions expressed in messages on this mailing list are those of the >original contributors and do not necessarily reflect the opinion of >the IRCA, its editors, publishing staff, or office