Setting up a low power FM radio station
When you come to setting up a radio station, you have two very
different options. The first choice is to apply for a full power
commercial FM license. This type of license allows you to
broadcast over a large area. The drawbacks with a full power FM
license are that it is often a complicated process, that no
frequency may be available in the area you wish to broadcast,
and that ongoing fees apply.
Another option is to set up a low power FM radio station. In New
Zealand, there are no ongoing fees to operate this type of
station - however you do need to pay nominal annual fees to APRA
and RIANZ for music royalties. You do need to ensure however
that your transmission equipment is compliant with Radio
Spectrum Management regulations. Additionally, as is the case
with any radio station, all your broadcasts need to comply with
the Broadcasting Act. Fundamentally this means your broadcasts
must be in 'good taste'. The advantages that a low power FM
radio station have over a commercial station is that is is much
less expensive to set up at the outset, your likelihood of
finding a suitable frequency are much higher, and there are far
fewer ongoing costs.
When operating a low power FM station, you need to determine who
your audience is. If you are broadcasting in an area where there
are already a number of resident commercial stations, you may
enjoy more success by broadcasting niche programming that
appeals to an audience not currently served by the full power FM
stations. Alternatively for those who are located in a more
rural area or town, you then have the opportunity to set your
station up as the 'local' alternative to what is already
available. Generally a local station competing against a station
being beamed in by satellite from one of the main centres will
attract a great deal of local community support.
When it comes to setting up a low power FM radio station, you
need to bear in mind these points. The studio space should
ideally be away from external sources of noise (i.e. not located
next to a construction site), and should be a small room. Larger
rooms tend to generate echo that can get down the microphone and
on air. When it comes to the equipment, there are a few
specialist items you will require. These include the transmitter
and antenna system, a limiter / compressor, a unit to balance
the audio, as well as a device to enable you to take phone calls
on air. In addition, ideally your station will also have a
mixing desk, microphones, headphones, CD player, audio cables, a
computer system and radio automation software. You will also
need licenses from APRA and RIANZ that cover your music royalty
responsibilities. For the most basic setup however, it is
possible to make do with simply the transmitter and antenna
system and your music licenses.
In New Zealand, people broadcasting on a low power FM basis must
use transmission equipment that meets spurious emission limits,
and which has a maximum power output of 500mW. While this is a
fraction of the power that a full power commercial radio station
would broadcast at, provided you have a good site and the
antenna is mounted correctly, you can enjoy coverage of up to 10
square kilometres. The frequencies you may broadcast on are 88.1
- 88.7 FM and 106.7 - 107.7 FM. The factor that has the greatest
influence on how far your broadcast will go is the height of
your antenna - the higher, the better.
It is also necessary to consider the following points: -
determine that the likely broadcast area of your station will
not interfere, or receive interference, from other people
broadcasting on low power FM freqencies in your area. - you must
ensure that your broadcast signal is adequately compressed and
that it isn't too 'wide' - ensure that the radio automation
software you use is reliable and is fully tested to operate
trouble-free operation - your station needs to be logically
programmed in order to sound professional - ensure that all your
broadcasts comply with broadcast standards and other regulations
Developing a successful station involves much more than simply
obtaining a low power FM transmitter, plugging it in and playing
music on air. By carefully setting up your station and ensuring
that your broadcasts bear in mind the target audience, you can
be assured of much enjoyment, an insight into the fascinating
radio industry, and perhaps even a new career.
tony@themulcher.co.nz http://www.themulcher.co.nz