Re: [IRCA] Fwd: [mwcircle] Absolute Radio MW coverage cut approved

[Russ Edmunds <wb2bjh@xxxxxxx>]

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 <irca-bounces@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx> on behalf of Nick Hall-Patch <nhp@xxxxxxxx>
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 ID....and 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 <irca-bounces@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx> on behalf of Nick
>Hall-Patch <nhp@xxxxxxxx>
>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 <miketerry73@xxxxxxxxxxxxxx>
> >------------------------------------
> >
> >
> >------------------------------------
>
>Nick Hall-Patch
>Victoria, BC
>Canada
>
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Nick Hall-Patch
Victoria, BC
Canada

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