RTE Radio 1 to leave MW in March

Antenna wrote: »

This shutdown (allbeit brought forward) seems to have been on the cards for 4 years or more, RTE really ought to have made public announcements about this long before now - and in particular to the motor trade of the need for car radios (difficult and expensive to replace) in cars sold in Ireland to have LW.

DMC wrote: »

They must have cottoned on to that, as DAB coverage has been expanded to Cork and Limerick cities in recent weeks.

Mr. Mick Kehoe: I wish to clarify that from a technical perspective. There has been much anecdotal evidence from very interested people on coverage of medium wave and long wave into the UK, Northern Ireland and around Ireland, especially in regard to interference. There are sky waves and ground waves and all kinds of frequency planning issues which make long wave and medium wave much more susceptible to interference, and Tipaza knocks out long wave, but there are also other channels which knock out medium wave.

To allay people’s concerns, two years ago we decided to go to four different locations - Derrybeg in northern Donegal; Ballydavid in south Tipperary; Evesham in the UK; and Crawley in south London. We set up recording with more or less standard radios and aerials to find out what people could hear. We recorded over 24-hour periods because I had no particular interest in people who run a 200 m cable up the side of a building or who do something specialist. We wanted to find out what the average person could hear with a more or less average radio. Medium wave, bar perhaps two or three hours, does not exist in London. Long wave lasts for most of the day in London. It dies out in the evening but comes back at about midnight.

The coverage of medium wave is fairly okay as far as Evesham but south of it, it is only available for a couple of hours a day while long wave is available for most of the day. That was what we found from recording what was delivered rather than what those with specialist equipment hear. We got a very good measure of what was happening.

Long wave coverage to the UK is far superior to medium wave. It is well above Tipaza and sky wave interference. It is just a recorded, on-the-ground effect.

Deputy Mattie McGrath: I have listened to the debate with interest and learned a great deal. However, there are several rural communities about which I am concerned. One of these is that relating to my parish, which is located in the Chairman’s constituency, where it is not possible to receive long wave transmissions. It is important that we cater for the 10% of people who cannot receive such transmissions. RTE is doing a good job but this was announced as a fait accompli. I accept that the latter is not the fault of our guests. The people in the area to which I refer pay their licence fees and are entitled to receive long wave transmissions. Perhaps the station could supply them with radio sets which would allow them to do so. In addition, people in the area are also unable to receive RTE 1 and Network 2 television signals. This fact has been ignored for several years.

Mr. Cathal Goan: Rather than getting into specifics, if the Deputy wishes to contact us about the area in question we can discuss the position.

Deputy Mattie McGrath: There are similar pockets throughout the country.

Mr. Mick Kehoe: Radio waves are naturally produced by the Earth. We, therefore, tag radio and television signals on to what is a natural resource of the Earth. Unfortunately, radio waves do not go around bends that well and do not dip down into valleys. The typography of the land makes it impossible to reach every house. However, we make concerted efforts to reach as many homes as possible.

Acting Chairman: Rather than referring to specific areas, perhaps Deputy Mattie McGrath might contact Mr. Kehoe after the meeting to discuss the issue in greater detail.

Senator Joe O’Reilly: As Deputy McManus stated, it would obviously have been preferable if the difficulties had been rectified in advance of the change. However, we must deal with the situation as it now stands.

I am concerned about Irish emigrant communities. I accept the point in respect of broadband, new technologies and so on. However, I am particularly concerned about those who emigrated in the 1950s to places such as the Kilburn High Road and who may be living in bedsits. These people may have old radio sets and they love RTE’s broadcasts.

Full coverage in respect of Northern Ireland is a major issue. Will our guests indicate when they anticipate rectifying the difficulties in this regard? How long will it take to do so?

It was stated that vouchers could be made available to help people overcome the difficulties. That would be admirable. How would such a voucher system operate? Are there any tentative plans in place? If people receive vouchers, that will be one problem solved. The only issues that will remain outstanding will be those relating to Northern Ireland and England. Many of us have lived among or visited the emigrant communities in London. Access to home means a great deal to people living in bedsits in the Kilburn High Road who only have access to old-style radio sets.

Senator Joe O’Toole: I completely agree with the concept of moving to long wave because the reception is far better. I can receive RTE’s long wave signal on my car radio from Edinburgh to Dover and also in areas of northern France. People on the Kilburn High Road will certainly receive

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Deputy Liz McManus: Not at night.

Senator Joe O’Toole: Yes, I was just about to comment on that.

As I stated at another forum, attempts need to be made to educate members of the emigrant community and to make available to them long wave radios. When people see AM-FM radios, they presume that such sets cannot receive long wave transmissions. I was in someone’s car last week and the driver informed me that his radio has only two bands. I pointed out that, in fact, it has three, one of which is long wave. He did not realise that the AM band covers both medium and long wave. We must engage in a process of educating people.

I do not want to repeat what was said previously regarding interference involving Radio Algeria. Is it not the case that there is a vacant slot adjacent to 252 kHz, which is not being used and in respect of which there is not an overlap? The difficulty at night is that Radio Algeria interferes with the long wave signal and transmissions from this station drift right the way up to northern Europe. However, on the last occasion I checked, there was a vacant slot on the long wave band at approximately 269 kHz. If either RTE or Radio Algeria moved to that frequency, the problem would be solved. This would be a good time to move and it would not cause much difficulty to transfer transmission from 252 kHz to 269 kHz or whatever. We should investigate the possibility of doing so.

At the same time, perhaps our guests might introduce emigrants to the concept of using broadband radio, which is easier to use than either of the other to options. One need only press a button and one can listen to either Radio Kerry or RTE.

Mr. Cathal Goan: I thank the Senator for his observations regarding long wave. I do not know what is the position regarding the additional frequency.

Mr. Mick Kehoe: There are a couple of long wave frequencies available. As already stated, however, radio waves are a natural resource of each country. They were allocated in 1961. If someone approached ComReg in respect of a frequency not currently being used, they would face a battle to establish whether that frequency was actually ours.

Senator Joe O’Toole: They could do a straight swap.

Mr. Mick Kehoe: Unfortunately, it does not work like that. We have inquired about two or three different frequencies and engaged in discussions with various broadcasters. We will be obliged to commence the process of undergoing international co-ordination. It could take five or six years for that process to be completed.

Senator Joe O’Toole: Do we still own our short wave band?

Mr. Mick Kehoe: No.

Senator Joe O’Toole: We did have such a band.

Mr. Cathal Goan: I am not aware of such a band. I know there were plans to establish a short wave radio band in the 1940s. However, these were shelved following the election of the first inter-party Government.

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Senator Joe O’Reilly: What is the position with regard to vouchers?

Mr. Adrian Moynes: There is a voucher scheme available which will allow people who cannot afford to purchase new radios - even though they are very cheap - to do so. We have already discussed this matter with Age Action Ireland and we will discuss it with the Society of St. Vincent de Paul on Friday next. People such as district health nurses, who are in contact with the elderly, and members of the Society of St. Vincent de Paul, who visit people in the community, will be aware of this matter. We have also provided information in respect of retuning to 3,500 parishes and religious communities throughout the country. Extensive information is available. If people contact us directly, we will provide vouchers.
http://debates.oireachtas.ie/DDebate.aspx?F=MAJ20080227.XML&Ex=All&Page=6