RTE Radio 1 on 252!

L1011 wrote: »

Everyone knows that - except him. As he's the one claiming its so they can flog off the frequency, which is borderline lunatic in the rambling levels.

Its being turned off for cost reasons, that's it.

Ah sure we all know the decision was based on cost reasons - It's the whole manner and very short timescale when it was first announced that was ridiculous especially in light of the audience types that have come to rely so much on receiving RTÉ Radio 1 in this way. Most of them would have accessed the service previously via Medium Wave ( MW) in the days before Radio 1 moved to Longwave (LW). Well given today's announcement RTÉ have finally accepted that many of the affected listeners need more time to adapt and it will remain on until at least 2017 in some shape or form or so it seems.

Radio_Fan_67 wrote: »

RTE say "RTÉ believes that operation of this service beyond 2017 is not tenable
since significant capital costs for
replacement of infrastructure will
arise" What replacement of infrastructure though ?

Perhaps RTÉ are referring to the lifespan of certain parts/components involved in the transmission of the LW signal here. I know it is a major issue with the broadcasting of BBC Radio 4 LW 198KHz service so they have lowered the power in order to prolong the lifespan of rare equipment parts left in the world.

To be honest, I am not sure who briefs RTÉ on the best way forward taking into account the various strands most likely to be affected and how best to approach change management in the smoothest possible approach while keeping people on board once a tough decision such as a cut back or shut down of any service is agreed.

I am glad for those mainly elderly folk many of whom are not up to speed with digital/online changes which most of us just take for granted. Even if you went out and bought them the equipment and handed it to them, some in this category would still have great difficulty trying to cope with set up and tuning in to a certain channel and returning to it again and again. This was always going to be the obvious scenario so back-up and support assistance is the best way to help people make any change going forward.

Radio_Fan_67 wrote: »

RTE say "RTÉ believes that operation of this service beyond 2017 is not tenable
since significant capital costs for
replacement of infrastructure will
arise" What replacement of infrastructure though ?

Nearing 30 year old mast for one thing

Radio_Fan_67 wrote: »

I wonder are RTE kicking themselves for not doing the longwave switch off the russian way ?

This would largely depend on to whom exactly you are talking to from the RTÉ Parish as I suspect that the initial short notice closure announcement of Radio 1 going off on Longwave was not greeted enthusiastically by all within the organisation. Those charged with making harsh cut backs may come to regret the whole way this particular one was handled given the negative publicity and further possible delays which may arise down the line.

We'll just have to wait and see what happens between now and the new 2017 deadline which I do not think has yet been publicly outlined if I am not mistaken...This may well run and run!

Radio_Fan_67 wrote: »

The Department of Foreign Affairs and
Trade has announced it is prepared to
work with RTÉ to commission specific
research to understand the community
in the UK who listen to the Longwave
service; to learn in greater detail
about listeners’ circumstances and of
the technologies they use. This
research will be conducted next year,
will be funded by the DFA and will
include perspectives from community
groups representing the Irish elderly
in the UK. This research is expected
to inform the options and information
that will accompany the final closure
of the service.

That's right - In other words, they are now going to need to thoroughly research and address valid concerns of the Irish elderly in the UK who are reliant on LW 252KHz for RTÉ Radio 1. This really should have been done from the very start but hey better late than never.

Radio_Fan_67 wrote: »

Problem is though the Minister for Foreign Affairs is Biased on this matter http://mobile.twitter.com/CharlieFlanagan/status/545982553560481794?p=v

Having just looked at the tweet - The Minister for Foreign Affairs expressed his own personal preference on the matter. Surely it is better to know exactly what a government Minister's preference is on a given subject rather than he/she claiming to be "independent and neutral" in theory but not necessarily neutral in practice. If more of our elected representatives were as upfront and honest it would be a healthy thing because at least people know where this Minister stands on the subject and those from the opposite viewpoint can tease out the issues and lobby their case to the appropriate department(s) and any other relevant agencies more effectively.

Are we seriously suggesting that a government Minister should not be permitted to communicate his/her views on something of a controversial nature? Surely we should facilitate and welcome differing views from all sides of the debate in a mature democratic society such as ours as we are not living in Russia thank God. If the policy intention is completely sound and rock solid then nobody should fear anything as it should succeed on the basis of it's own merits at the end of the day.

Mycroft H wrote: »

Well at least he's not biased towards closing it down. Keeping the status quo here is the better option while there can be alternatives made available.

This is true and I also share your views on the matter. I know of enough older folk who find such changes very challenging altogether. My father could learn to adapt if I showed him how but my mother is completely hopeless with all technology and gadgets and despite my best efforts she seems incapable of retaining new methods of accessing a channel via new platforms.

My uncle who is Irish lives in UK is hopeless with all the digital equipment and forget the internet or texting - he can barely answer his bog standard mobile handset.

This is a real thorny issue for some folk out there and I am glad that finally there is a bit of dignity and respect shown to those pleading for more time to adjust. Let's help them make the transition in the easiest way possible if and when Radio 1 LW 252KHz shuts down altogether between now and 2017.

AwaitYourReply wrote: »

Having just looked at the tweet - The Minister for Foreign Affairs expressed his own personal preference on the matter.

When was it decided that a ministers view was a personal view !

while all the emphasis has been on the Diaspora, there are bigger issues with the loss of Long Wave closer to home with the lack of DAB coverage across a lot of the country.

Another unanswered question is how many of those 300kws is 252 currently operating at ? Its been rumoured that the power has been reduced to as low as 50kws.

Banjoxed wrote: »

The BBC's Lisnagarvey TX mast is seventy-eight years old so on that basis there may be a bit more mileage in the Clarkstown mast yet..

http://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lisnagarvey_transmitting_station

Maintenance isn't free. Two very different masts can't be compared for design life either

Infoanon wrote: »

When was it decided that a ministers view was a personal view !

while all the emphasis has been on the Diaspora, there are bigger issues with the loss of Long Wave closer to home with the lack of DAB coverage across a lot of the country.

Another unanswered question is how many of those 300kws is 252 currently operating at ? Its been rumoured that the power has been reduced to as low as 50kws.

I think you will find that Ministers often air views that are not necessarily approved by their parliamentary party AND/OR political party. They will usually indicate that this is just my own personal view during an interview or they may be forced by the party to issue a statement afterwards if they crossed the line and the political party in question wants the Minister AND/OR TD to clarify that it was just a "personal view" that was articulated by me.

I totally agree that DAB is sub-standard across much of Ireland and should enjoy equal priority in terms of a roll-out. FM is not always acceptable either in certain areas of Ireland. Maybe they should have chosen those well known FM geographic problem spots where the signal is usually unreliable/unavailable for their DAB trials?