Sunday, December 28, 2008

RTI's official monitors in 2009


Dr. T. Elampooranan

The English service is happy to announce that it has chosen 16 listeners from all over the world as its officlal monitors in 2009!

They include:
Richard Chen (Trinidad & Tabago),
Clifford Riffel (South Africa),
Don Rhodes (Australia),
Michael Stevenson (Australia),
Larry Jenkins (USA),
Gregory Jackson (USA),
Ted Schuerzinger (USA),
Lennart Wennberg (Sweden),
T. C. Patterson (the Philippines),
Venancio J. Victoria (the Philippines),
Helmut & Linda Matt (Germany),
T. Elampooranan (Chennai, India),
Alokesh Gupta (Delhi, India),
Swopan Chakroborty (Kolkata, India),
Ashik Eqbal Tokon (Bangladesh), and
Jaisakthivel (Chennai, India).
(Source: http://english.rti.org.tw/Content/WhatsNewSingle.aspx?ContentID=70837)

Sunday, December 21, 2008

CRI "Charming Sichuan" knowledge contest


CRI English introduce one of China's most beautiful provinces, CRI and the Sichuan Tourism Administration are jointly sponsoring the "Charming Sichuan" knowledge contest, which ends on April 15th, 2009.
First, second and third prizes as well as another top prize will be awarded to participants, and the top prize winner will be invited to take a free visit to Sichuan at the end of the contest.
The quiz consists of fourteen questions, please select the right answer according to the reference articles in the Quiz site. You can also leave your impression and expectations about Sichuan on our message board. CRI will select and publish some of those messages at random.
Special website for the quiz is http://210.51.185.203:8080/jingsai/English/Default.aspx?language=English

Monday, December 15, 2008

RNZI 60th annivarsary QSL 2008



Radio New Zealand International celebrates its 60th anniversary. It is serving the Pacific from 1948. Here you see the special anniversary QSL. This is the early Radio New Zealand QSL from Radio Heritage Foundation.

Radio Duniya awards 2009


Nominations Invited In The Following Categories

AIR STATION
To accolade the AIR station, which has exhibited innovation and zeal in achieving the AIR objective of covering varied subjects -
from G to G (grassroots to global), appealing to all levels of audience.
•Nominations are invited from the Station Heads.
•The station should be functional for a minimum of three months as on 30th January 2009.
FM STATION
To recognise the FM station which creatively stands out, striking a chord with the Indian population through its programs, music,
interviews, games, community contribution and more.
•Nominations are invited from the Station Heads.
•The station should be functional for a minimum of three months as on 30th January 2009.
COMMUNITY/ CAMPUS RADIO STATION
To acknowledge the community/campus radio which epitomises the spirit of community radio by airing programmes that have
mesmerised the community/students at large.
•Nominations are invited from the Station Heads.
•The station should be functional for a minimum of three months as on 30th January 2009.
RADIO HOST
Pleasant voice, perky ‘n’ warm, connecting, spontaneously creative, community conscious, passion for music - are words which
describe a Radio Host! However, the judicious mix of all these qualities will decide the Best Radio Host 2009.
•Nominations are invited from the Programming Heads and endorsed by the Station Directors.
•Radio hosts who are freelancing can submit their nominations directly.
•The radio host should be presently, on air for a minimum of one year to be eligible.
RADIO ADVERTISEMENT
To award the most innovative & creative advertisement with unique impact on the audience.
•Nominations are invited from the Advertising Agencies or Marketing Heads of the Companies/Radio Stations.
•The advertisement should have been on air during the period of 30th January 2008 to 30th January 2009.
RADIO SHOW
The award for the best radio show/programme is a tribute to the most comprehensive and engaging radio show.
•Nominations are invited from the Programming Head, further endorsed by the Station Head.
•Only programme/show aired between 30th January 2008 to 30th January 2009 are eligible.
RADIO WEBSITE
The award is to acknowledge the most interactive, innovative, user-friendly and popular radio website.
•Nominations are invited from the Head of the Company.
•The website should be functional for a minimum of three months as on 30th January 2009
SIGNATURE TUNE
To award the signature tune which fulfilled its purpose of giving a mass appeal to the brand
•Nominations are invited from the National Programming/Marketing/Branding Heads and further endorsed by the Head of the
Company.
•The signature tune used between 30th January 2008 to 30th January 2009 should be nominated.
SOCIAL RESPONSIBILITY INITIATIVE
To acknowledge the most responsible social initiative programme by a radio station, which has made people aware about water
resources, pollution, conservation, social and management issues.
•Nominations are invited from the Programming/Branding Heads, further endorsed by the Head of the Company.
•The social responsibility initiative should have been organized between 30th January 2008 to 30th January 2009 in order to be
eligible.
MARKETING CAMPAIGN
To give credence to the most motivational marketing campaign of a radio brand, which justified its marketing/sales strategies.
•Nominations are invited from the Marketing/Branding Head and further endorsed by the Head of the Organisation.
(CEO/COO/Business Head).
•The Marketing Campaign should have been running during the period of 1st January 2008 to 30th January 2009.

Sunday, December 14, 2008

4th Wellenforum Christmas Contest 2008

Here are the rules :

1. Contest period:

From 21. Dec 2008 to 4. Jan 2009.

2. Stations

During the contest you have to receive BC stations on long- and medium wave.

3. Participation Conditions

Participation is free and independent from a listener club membership.
Newcomers can also participate as well as medium wave specialists. Like the
last wellenforum contest, participation is via an online form. You can find
the form on www.contest.wavetalk.org . Please follow the registration hints.
Every station has to be heard at least for 10 minutes.. Notes on the
programme heard have to be logged as detailed as possible to really identify
the station (no empty phrases like music, news etc.).

4. Points

Every bc station log on long wave and medium wave is counting. Logs without
a clear identification will count one third of the points that you can get
for this station.
Points for a log are depending on the CIRAF zone of the station. This is
based on the publication EDXC RADIO Countries that we will provide.

Scoring scheme:
Station logged from the CIRAF zone of the place of reception 10 points
Station logged from a CIRAF zone bordering the zone were your place is 20
points
Station from the rest 30points

Example:
Your place is in Germany. Your CIRAF zone is 28. All stations from this zone
are 10 points worth. Stations from CIRAF zones bordering zone 28 are 20
points worth (bordering zones are 18, 27, 29, 37, 38 and 39). The rest is 30
points worth.

5. Award:
Every participant will receive a participation certificate showing
individual score and ranking prompt after the contest has finished.

73, Friedhelm Wittlieb
Contest Manager
QTH: Lünen / NRW (near Dortmund)
Grundig Satellit 700 with regenerative loop antenna
member of the addx and medium wave circle uk
www.wittlieb-online.de
-----------------------
Alokesh Gupta
New Delhi

Thursday, December 11, 2008

VOA's 2009 Calendar Available


The 2009 VOA calendar is here! This year, VOA is introducing some of its on-air personalities. Here's your chance to meet the professionals who bring you the news each day.

Download the calendar now, or contact them for a copy at lettersuser@voanews.com. VOA would like to hear your reaction, and ideas for future calendars. Let them know what you think at askvoa@voanews.com.
Click the following link to print or download the calendar. www.VOANews. com/english/ About/2008- 11-21-2009- calendar. cfm.

RADIO FREE ASIA RELEASES HOLIDAY QSL CARD


Radio Free Asia (RFA) announces its new QSL card which promotes world peace. The design is from one of the many holiday cards RFA has used in the past. Besides the dove as the card’s center piece, there are eight different renditions of the word ‘peace’ on the right margin. The eight versions represent each of our broadcast languages: Burmese, Chinese (Mandarin and Cantonese), Khmer, Korean, Lao, Tibetan, Uyghur and Vietnamese. The card will be used to confirm all valid reception reports for December 1, 2008 – January 31, 2009.
Radio Free Asia is a private, nonprofit corporation that broadcasts news and information to listeners in Asian countries where full, accurate, and timely news reports are unavailable. Created by Congress in 1994 and incorporated in 1996, RFA currently broadcasts in Burmese, Cantonese, Khmer, Korean to North Korea, Lao, Mandarin, the Wu dialect, Vietnamese, Tibetan (Uke, Amdo, and Kham), and Uyghur. RFA strives for accuracy, balance, and fairness in its editorial content. As a ‘surrogate’ broadcaster, RFA provides news and commentary specific to each of its target countries, acting as the free press these countries lack. RFA broadcasts only in local languages and dialects, and most of its broadcasts comprise news of specific local interest. More information about Radio Free Asia, including our current broadcast frequency schedule, is available at www.rfa.org.
RFA encourages listeners to submit reception reports. Reception reports are valuable to RFA as they help us evaluate the signal strength and quality of our transmissions. RFA confirms all accurate reception reports by mailing a QSL card to the listener.
RFA welcomes all reception report submissions at www.techweb.rfa.org (follow the QSL REPORTS link) not only from DX’ers, but also from its general listening audience. Reception reports are also accepted by emails to qsl@rfa.org, and for anyone without Internet access, reception reports can be mailed to:
Reception Reports
Radio Free Asia
2025 M. Street NW, Suite 300
Washington DC 20036
United States of America
Upon request, RFA will also send a copy of the current broadcast schedule and a station sticker.

Wednesday, December 10, 2008

CRI Listeners meet in Tamil Nadu


Tamil Section of China Radio International listeners meet
Date: 28 Dec 2008
Venue: Belukurichy, Namakkal Dt, Tamil Nadu
For details;
K SHENTHIL, (VU3BCM)
VELLA GOUNDER THOTTAM,
BELUKURICHI P.O,
NAMAKKAL D.T,
INDIA 637 402.
Phone: 9486756357, 9894321892
Email: vu3bcm@gmail.com

Friday, December 05, 2008

Malaysia's Traxx FM

Dear Dxers,

Last week received a feedback from Malaysia's Traxx
FM. They send the programme guide, Car Sticker, Pen with Traxx FM logo, Note pad and wonderful travel bag with their logo and lots more with first class register post. Here I put the scaned copy of sticker and programme guide.


Discover Malaysia Through the Right TRAXX

TRAXXfm - a one-stop holiday guide that will enlight
en you about all the wonderful offerings that Malaysia has.

They are already taking the country's airwaves by storm with a brand new presentation so get all geared up for an interactive and informative avenue on domestic and international tourism destination guides.

The all new TRAXXfm also comes with great music, a wide reppertoire of everyting from the olde skool to the nu skool ranging from r
etro, R&B, dance, jazz, rock, right through world music and international hits.

Listeners will also get the latest updates on
everything under the sun when TRAXXfm's team goes 'LIVE' from our mini studio in MaTiC and everywhere in and around the country on location.

Their deejays will also provide the latest updates and information on events in the country that includes sports, concerts, Tourism Malaysia linked events, state events and the latest and best information on food and beverages,through designated slots everyday from 9:00 am to 10:00 am and 12:00 pm to 2:00 pm.

Bringing you the best, TR
AXXfm also has numerous road shows and other visual radio programmes planned to get in touch on a more personal basis with listeners.

Discover amaz
ing information on Malaysia's Health Tourism, the country's wonderful culture and heritage, as well as enhance your beauty and health knowledge from tips on traditional treatments, living and lifestyles, as well as shopping and nightlife now that the all new TRAXXfm has hit the airwaves.

Breaking out from the norm of regualar radio stations, TRAXXfm also provides regular transportation information services, travel tips and information on holiday packages in Malaysia that will allow you to plan a hassle free journey.

TRAXXfm is definately the right choice to tune in to as the station has something for everyone.


Then and Now
TRAXXfm started broadcasting in 1982 and the station broadcasted nationwide as well as to neighbouring Singapore, Brunei, and parts of Thailand.

TRAXXfm is the only Malaysian Radio station that pioneered English as the medium for delivering its programmes when it started as Blue Network and then Radio 4 and the station also played an important role to educate, inform, and to entertain listeners.

Currently, TRAXXfm operates 24 hours Live, focusing on great music as well as excellent talks shows and interaction between Deejays and listeners. Also you will listen them on SW 7295 kHz.

'TRAXX' derives from the word 'TRACK' and the 'XX' denotes the old tagline 'Xperience the Xcitement'.

24 Hours Live Broadcasting

Through its 24-hour LIVE broadcasting, fans and listeners alike of Malaysia's leading radio station will discover that TRAXXfm is th
e station to provide a one-stop holiday guide to enlighten locals and visitors about all the wonderful attractions in Malaysia.

MEET THEM AT

MaTiC
109, Jalan Ampang,
50450 Kuala Lumpur

or

CONTACT THEM AT

TRAXXfm
2nd Floor, Wisma Radio
Angkasapuri
50740 Kuala Lumpur
Email: djtheshaz@gmail.com
Call : 03- 2288 7663 / 7285 / 7284
Fax : 03- 2284 5750
SMS : TX (message) and send to 32776

Wednesday, November 26, 2008

Dxers Guide October - December 2008

Now you will access this quarter 'Dxers Guide' from the following link
http://vaanoliulagam.googlepages.com/DGOct-Dec2k8.pdf
Kindly send your comments to
ardicdxclub (at) yahoo (dot) co (dot) in
For hard copy and subscription details contact the above ID

If you subscribe the hard copy of our Dxers Guide, then you will get the bonus copy of 32 pages B08 booklet. Also we cover DRM to Asia, DX Programme list and WRN Schedule in this booklet. All these things in one pack. The Great bonanza for enthusiastic Dxers in India.


All India Radio printed Frequency Schedule

Home Services Frequency Schedule

External Services Frequency Schedule

All India Radio now start to send the new programme schedule to their listeners. If you not yet received, contact the following address:

Mr. S.C. Pachuri,
Asst. Director Engg
Spectrum Management & Synergy,
All India Radio,
Room No.204,
Akashvani Bhawan,
Parliament street,
New Delhi-110001 (India).
Tel: 91-11-23421006.
E-mail: spectrum-manager@air.org.in

Tuesday, November 25, 2008

World Radio TV Handbook 2009

WRTH are proud to present the 63rd edition of the bestselling directory of global broadcasting on LW, MW, SW and FM.

The Features section this year includes an exploration of FM DXing, a tour of local All India Radio stations, our Digital Update, and completely updated SW transmitter site maps.

Features - This section is in full colour and contains reviews of receivers and ancillary equipment, articles on topical issues such as digital radio, interviews with broadcasters, reception conditions, colour maps showing the location of SW transmitters, and other topics of interest to Listeners and DXers.

National Radio - This section covers the world's domestic radio services. The listings are by country and include all stations broadcasting on LW, MW and SW, and most stations broadcasting on FM, together with contact details.

International Radio - Full details of all broadcasters transmitting internationally are given in this section and are listed by country. The schedules shown are the 'B' or 'winter' SW frequencies as supplied by the broadcasters and confirmed by monitoring, together with any LW or MW frequencies used. It also contains a sub-section showing Clandestine and Other Target Broadcasters arranged by target country. The 'A' or 'summer' schedules, along with updates to broadcaster details, are available as a pdf download from this website in May each year.

Frequency Lists - This section contains MW frequency lists grouped by frequency within regions, lists of all international and domestic SW broadcasts in frequency order, and international SW broadcasts in English, French, German, Portuguese and Spanish shown by UTC.

Television - The TV section has details of the main terrestrial national broadcasters, large regional networks, and some local stations, arranged alphabetically by country.

Reference - This section has tables and listings of: International and Domestic Transmitter sites, Standard Time and Frequency Transmissions, DX Club information, International Organisations, and other essential information.

ROnly 23.00 GBP including 1st class domestic post and airmail postage & packing to any overseas destination.

You are also welcome to fax your order to +44 1865 514405 and send payment by:

Visa or Mastercard (using a printed copy of the order form)

You are also welcome to mail your order and send payment by:

• Visa or Mastercard (using a printed copy of the order form)
• UK Postal Order
• A Sterling cheque
• International Money Order - drawn on a UK bank
• International Postal Giro

Contact details

WRTH Publications Limited
PO BOX 290
Oxford OX2 7FT
UK

Incorporated in England
Company registration number: 3526072
VAT registration number: 685 8126 95

Registered office:
8 King Edward Street

Oxford OX1 4HL
UK

You may contact us by telephone or fax on +44 (0)1865 514405 or by email: sales@wrth.com. Our phone lines are very busy and so we recommend using email.

Digital Radio Guide

The ABU undertakes wide ranging activities reflecting the current needs of the members. These activities are implemented by the Secretariat's Technical Department. Providing technical information to the members is a major activity of the Technical Department. The activity takes various forms including the publication of the ABU Technical Review and regular distribution of clippings containing a selection of the most useful papers published in technical journals worldwide. Recenty they published the "Digital Radio Guide". It's give the introduction about the digital radio. Total number of pages 118. You will more info from the following link
http://www.abu.org.my/public/documents/DRG-2007-Final.pdf

Snapshot on print and radio channel promotions on TV


Key Findings:

  • 27 per cent rise in print promotion on TV whereas 21 per cent drop in radio channel promotion on TV during January - October 2008 compared to January - October 2007.
  • Maximum advertising of print media and radio stations on regional channels during January - October 2008.
  • The Malayala Manorama Co was the top advertiser in print promotions and Living Media India topped in radio channel promotions on TV during January - October 2008.
  • Sakshi Daily, a new brand of print media and Fever 104 FM, a new Radio station was advertised maximum on TV during January - October 2008.
Growth in ad volumes of print and radio channel promotions on TV.
  • Print promotion on TV has seen growth of 27 per cent during January - October 2008 compared to same period in 2007.
  • Compared to January - October 2007, radio channel promotion witnessed a drop of 21 per cent during January - October 2008.
Advertising of print publications on national vs regional channels.
  • Print promotion on regional and national channels contributed advertising ratio of 62:38 during January - October 2008.
  • Tamil Nadu had contributed the maximum (40 per cent) followed by Kerala and Andhra Pradesh with 24 per cent and 13 per cent share of overall print promotion ad volumes on TV during January - October 2008.
Advertising of radio channels on national vs regional channels
  • During January - October 2008, 88 per cent of radio stations promotion was on regional channels and 12 per cent on national channels.
  • Delhi accounted for 42 per cent share of overall ad volumes of radio channel promotions on TV followed by Kerala and West Bengal with 30 per cent and 12 per cent share respectively during January - October 2008.
Top advertisers in print and radio channel promotions on TV
  • Top five publications share accounted for 47 per cent share of overall Print promotion on TV during January - October 2008,where The Malayala Manorama Co, K S Publications Pvt Ltd, Deccan Chronicle Group Of Publications were the top three advertisers.
  • Living Media India Ltd, HT Music & Entertainment Co Ltd and Asianet Network were the top three advertisers for radio channel promotion on TV during January - October 2008.
  • Top five advertisers share aggregates to 90 per cent of overall ad volumes of radio channel promotions on TV during January - October 2008
New print publications and radio channels advertised on TV (January - October 2008)
  • Sakshi Daily, Financial Chronicle and India News Saptahik were the top three new brands of print media being promoted on TV during January - October 2008.
  • Top three new Radio stations viz. Fever 104 FM, 94.3 Club FM and All India Radio-Lucknow were advertised on TV during January - October 2008.
  • Watch out for forthcoming interesting analyses in future.s
(Analysis from AdEx India - A Division of TAM Media Research)

AIR show gets special commendation at ABU prizes '08

All India Radio's children and youth show 'Our Home, The Planet Earth' has won special commendation at the the Asia Pacific Broadcasting Union's ABU Prizes 2008, announced in Bali on 24 November 2008.

Among the winners in the radio category are - Legacy Disposal Squad (NHK, Japan) - drama, Smile, Joy and Wonderful, Flip The Expectation (KBS, Korea)- infotainment, A Handless City: Viruses and Hands, Which Is More Lethal To Children? (RTHK, Hong Kong) - Children & Youth (Radio), Repeated Abortions (RTHK, Hong Kong) - News (Radio), Two-Year Journey Of Hot Lapindo Mud Flow (RRI, Indonesia) - Documentary (Radio), Let's Go To School (BBC, United Kingdom) - External Broadcasts (Radio) and The Rising Of New Generation Of Chenggis Khan (MNB, Mongolia), which got a special jury prize.

The ABU Prizes, established in 1964 by the first ABU General Assembly, is an international contest for radio and television programmes. The purpose of the contests is to promote the production of radio and television programmes of a high standard, to raise educational and cultural levels, and to strengthen international understanding among the peoples of the countries and areas of the ABU members.

This year, the awards were presented at an awards ceremony held during the 45th ABU General Assembly in the Indonesian capital on 24 November.


BBC chief appointed new Plan CEO

Plan has appointed Nigel Chapman, the current Director of BBC World Service, as its new chief executive officer.

Nigel brings with him a wealth of experience and knowledge of global, multi-ethnic, and culturally diverse organisations.

He has worked for the BBC for more than 20 years and held senior management and editorial posts in television, radio and online, many with a strong emphasis on news and current affairs.

As Director of BBC World Service, he is responsible for the overall editorial leadership and management of the world's leading international radio broadcaster, BBC Arabic TV and its new media operations.

In addition to his World Service role, Nigel is also Chair of the BBC World Service Trust - the World Service's charitable arm, which uses communications and new technologies to aid development in some of the world's poorest countries.

Plan support

Nigel is also no stranger to Plan. He has spent over 6 years working at the highest levels of the international Board and Members Assembly. He is currently the Chair of the UK National Organisation.

Paul Arlman, Chairman of Plan’s International Board said: “We are delighted to have someone with such a demonstrated dedication to international co-operation, combined with a great interest in the fate of children and enormous management experience in a complex organisation. Nigel will be a great asset and inspirational leader for the organisation.”

Nigel Chapman, who is married with 2 children, said: “I am delighted to be joining Plan International as its CEO. I know from my visits to see its work first hand, and my time as Chair of the UK Trustees, that Plan has a wonderful reputation for working with millions of the world’s poorest children and their communities and helping them escape poverty. It will be a privilege to lead the Plan team to what we all hope will be a new level of impact and achievement.”

Nigel will join Plan on 1 April 2009, taking over from Tom Miller who steps down at the end of 2008.

Biographies

As Director of BBC World Service, Nigel Chapman is responsible for the overall editorial leadership and management of the world's leading international radio broadcaster and its new media operations.

He has worked for the BBC for more than 20 years.

He has held senior management and editorial posts in television, radio and online, many with a strong emphasis on news and current affairs.

After joining the BBC as a trainee in 1977 he later produced and edited high-profile current affairs television programmes, including Nationwide, Newsnight (where he worked on the first evening programme in 1980) and Breakfast News.

In 1989 Nigel Chapman became the first Editor of Public Eye - the BBC specialist weekly programme on social policy issues.

He edited the series for almost three years until moving to the BBC's south region as Head of Centre, South East at Elstree in March 1992, where he was responsible for local television and radio, current affairs and political output in London and the South East.

In 1994, he was appointed Head of Broadcasting, Midlands and East, based at Pebble Mill, Birmingham.

In November, 1996, Nigel Chapman was appointed Controller, BBC English Regions, responsible for all regional television and local radio programmes across England.

In January 1999, he became the first ever Director of BBC Online, with responsibility for the development of the UK's most popular content website.

In September 2000, he was appointed Deputy Director of BBC World Service.

In that post he had responsibility for relations with the Foreign Office, strategy, multi-media, press, public affairs, marketing and legal affairs.

He deputised for the Director of BBC World Service across the full range of his functions.

He was Acting Director of the World Service from January 2004 to his current appointment in July 2004.

He is also Chair of the World Service Trust - the World Service's charitable arm, which uses communications to aid development in some of the world's poorest countries.

Nigel Chapman is married with two children and lives in Oxford.

Annual Report of Ministry of Information - Broadcasting

Annual Report of Ministry of Information & Broadcasting, Govt of India for
the year 2007-08 is now available for download from this link :

http://mib.nic. in/informationb/ POLICY/ar/ annualrepeng_ I.pdf
(134 MB)

Pages 46-111 are for broadcasting sector which includes details about All
India Radio

------
Alokesh Gupta
New Delhi.

Annual Report of All India Radio & Prasar Bharati 2007

Annual Report of All India Radio for the year 2007 is now available for
download from this link :
http://allindiaradi o.gov.in/ reports/AIRComp2 007.pdf
(9.66 MB)

Annual Report for Prasar Bharati for the year 2007 can be downloaded using
this link :
http://allindiaradi o.gov.in/ reports/PBAR2007 .pdf
(20.6 MB)

-------
Alokesh Gupta
New Delhi

Thursday, October 16, 2008

Popularising amateur radio

The Coimbatore Amateur Radio Club organised a fox hunt here recently that sought to keep alive the interest in ham operation.
Organiser of the hunt R.R. Balasundaram said the event aimed at popularising ham operation, especially as a medium of communication during emergencies.
The hunt involved the locating of a ‘fox hole’ (amateur radio station) located within a 30 km radius.
Participants had to locate the radio station using the tone that came on their very high frequency radio sets every five minutes.
As for fox hunt, it could be fun and yet very demanding in terms of efforts to locate the station.
The hunt could get tougher as participants neared the station because signals could come from 360 degrees.
A press release explained that ham radio was a ‘scientific hobby’. One could establish one’s own radio station and talk to friends across the world. At the same time, ham offered a solution when all normal forms of communication break down during calamities such as floods, landslips, cyclones or earthquakes. This form of communication also came in handy during rail, road or plane accidents. Ham ensured proper information flow to the community during such incidents, when telephone lines were down.
But, a ham operator could not broadcast news to the public. One operator could communicate only with another operator. But, when many operators were involved, information would get passed on to the general public.
Amateur radio operators should pass an examination conducted by the Union Ministry of Communications and obtain licence for operating a radio station. Persons aged above 12 were permitted to appear for the Amateur Station Operator Licence Examination. No educational qualification was prescribed.
Training for two hours a day for over two months enabled people to take the examination. Interested persons should qualify in a test on Morse code (transmission and reception), communication procedure and basic electronics. Mr. Balasundaram said ham radio was a hobby and the operators should not use it as a means of income.
Coimbatore District had about 200 hams. Apart from being a hobby, the hams in Coimbatore provided a communication back up during motor rallies conducted by the Coimbatore Motor Sports Club. (Source: The Hindu)

Wednesday, October 15, 2008

I&B Ministry moots news bulletins in private FM radio

A long-standing demand of private FM radio players is set to be fulfilled by the year-end. After Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (TRAI) recommended news in private FM radio, albeit with some restrictions, the I&B Ministry has now reportedly given its nod to 261 private FM channels to air news and current affairs programmes produced by All India Radio (AIR).
Of course, the Ministry's proposal would require the signature of Information and Broadcasting Minister Priya Ranjan Dasmunsi, who is currently admitted at the All India Institute of Medical Sciences in Delhi following a cardiac arrest. After the Minister signs it, the proposal would require Cabinet clearance.
When exchange4media spoke to a cross-section of FM players and media players about the latest development, they were obviously positive about it, though most were not aware of such a proposal being made by the I&B Ministry.
Uday Chawla, Secretary General, Association for Radio Operators for India (AROI), remarked, "Having news or sports as an intricate part of content will immensely benefit the radio industry and listeners. The point of concern for the Government is deciding the extent to which the news broadcast should be allowed in this phase. In case Phase III gets delayed, we have requested the Government to allow the broadcast of news, current affairs and specifically sports in the interim."
'Value-addition to local content'
Reacting to the news, Tarun Katial, COO, Big FM, remarked, "We welcome this development as it adds richness to the local content on the local channel and would give a boost to the FM station. It would also create some kind of differentiation in the market. We have also prepared ourselves to fulfill these responsibilities and are planning to create infrastructural changes."
Vehrnon Ibrahim, National Programming Head, Radio One, said "After waiting for seven years, I think it is a step forward, though not a step we would like, but certainly a step in the right direction. I see this as an opener and not as a final position. I am looking forward for this and I welcome it and we are certainly prepared for news and current events. I suppose at some point of time we will have a self regulatory body."
Nandan Srinath, COO, Radio Mirchi, commented, "From the listener point of view, the product is certainly getting better. We at Mirchi are certainly ready and prepared to carry news and current affairs and look forward to this soon. If this allows greater stickiness of listenership and more audiences who are not using radio at this point of time to come into the radio fold, then there is an indirect bearing on the revenue stream."
Calling the move a step in the right direction, Harrish M Bhatia, COO, My FM, Synergy Media Entertainment Ltd, opined, "Broadcast of news will increase the listener base and lend more credibility, authenticity and trust to FM radio. Listeners will start taking FM radio even more seriously once news and current affairs are allowed on it."
Nisha Narayanan, Project Head, S FM, observed, "Diversification of content will be the direct implication of the permission to broadcast news in private FM stations. This will not only boost listnership, but also provide headway to advertisers."
Though Kunal Jamuar, GM, Madison Media, didn't see any huge value or even commercial implications coming to the industry, he added that "it will certainly give consumers a differentiated content. I don't see any major changes in terms of revenue".
Uday Chawla pointed out, "If you look at the TV industry, almost 15 per cent of revenue accrues to news channels. Improvement in content translates to more listenership, which translates to more revenue."
Tarun Nigam, Executive Director, India - North & Pakistan, Starcom Worldwide, noted, "The green signal to private FM channels for broadcasting news is reminiscent of the good old Akashvani days in the radio mode. Like TV has a bouquet of channels, radio, too, can witness an upsurge of players, depending on the license fees."
In contrast, Anita Nayyar, CEO, MPG, India, remarked, "Since the USP of private FM is music, the broadcast of news would result in dilution of programming and content. This is like the personification of AIR."
Is a regulatory body needed to monitor news?
Speaking on the need for a regulatory body, Chawla said, "AROI will welcome permission for carrying news and sports content and has offered all cooperation to the Government in this regard, including formation of a self-regulatory content control mechanism."
Radio Mirchi's Srinath added, "Since news and current affairs content would come from AIR, I don't see the need for a self-regulatory body. But over a period of time, we might see a self-regulatory mechanism."
Nisha Narayanan pointed out, "The FM players will not emulate 24-hour news channels, but to safeguard the interests of authentic news, a guideline should be charted out and should be adhered to."
The onus of coherent news broadcast is now on the private FM players. This proposal can be seen in the light of breaking clutter and pushing the contingent of journalism in the hear-hear domain. The development certainly has the private FM industry all excited. Watch this space for further developments.
(With additional inputs from Pallavi Goorha)
Also read:
FM players welcome Govt decision to demerge radio business
TRAI moots 26 pc FDI cap on FM radio; permission to broadcast news from select sources © exchange4media 2008