Drive-In Concerts on FM

radioguru02

Attending three drive-in shows over the next few months, all of whom are transmitting the audio on FM.
Strange not to see them being advertised as temporary services on the BAI’s website - wonder if they’re just chancing it? I know The list of temporary services is not always updated
Also, will it be difficult to ensure that people in the local area cannot pick up the transmission? is that always and issue for drive-in shows?

ka2

There are laws in place to allow low power FM transmissions, it's how the portable FM transmitters (iTrip and the like) are allowed to work. Whether you could cover a drive-in and stay within these limits or not, I don't know. But I'd say you might with a good aerial as I tested the range of an FM transmitter from Argos and it covered half my street with a personal stereo that just used the headphones as an aerial (and no height to speak of). I'm sure a car radio would pick it up further than that.

JDxtra

You are correct, they used to be listed as temporary stations on the BAI web site. The operators won't be using portable transmitters (e.g. iTrip), probably a small rig though - something around 5 watts. It won't travel far but people in local area will likely be able to hear it.