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<H1>Save Analogue Radio campaign</H1>
<H1><STRONG><FONT face=Tahoma size=3>A National Campaign to maintain essential
traditional analogue broadcast radio for everyday listening and for use in times
of national emergencies.</FONT></STRONG></H1>
<P><FONT face=Tahoma>The pressure is on to replace traditional analogue radio
broadcasting with Digital Audio Broadcasting (DAB) radio. </FONT></P>
<P><FONT face=Tahoma>Indeed, the UK Government has provisionally set 2015 as the
date when the world wide standard frequency modulation (f.m.) services are to
disappear from the Band II 87.5 to 108MHz (v.h.f. f.m. band), to be replaced
with DAB radio transmissions. </FONT></P>
<P><FONT face=Tahoma>Eventually, the analogue services on long waves (198kHz)
and medium waves (500kHz to 1.6MHz) will also be replaced by digital
transmissions.</FONT></P>
<P><FONT face=Tahoma><STRONG>Obsolete radio receivers:</STRONG> </FONT></P>
<P><FONT face=Tahoma>Several million non-DAB equipped radio receivers could be
made obsolete, if the Band II plans are implemented – requiring people of all
income groups to purchase new receivers. The 'digital effect' is already
apparent as very few manufacturers now produce analogue-only
receivers.</FONT></P>
<P><STRONG><FONT face=Tahoma>Practical considerations and technical
difficulties: </FONT></STRONG></P>
<P><FONT face=Tahoma>Unfortunately, the Government's plans don't take into
account the large number of practical considerations and technical difficulties
involved with the present forms of digital transmissions – particularly when
radio broadcasting is involved because of the 'digital delay' effect (known as
Latency). The problems are likely to be difficult to overcome because most
listeners use portable receivers, utilising simple antennas (aerials).
</FONT></P>
<P><FONT face=Tahoma>So, in response to the Government's proposals I am planning
to organise a national campaign urging the Government to retain analogue
broadcasting on Band II v.h.f. f.m. and on long and medium waves, while
maintaing the DAB radio services on Band III.</FONT></P>
<P><FONT face=Tahoma>Please don't hesitate to contact me if you need further
information on the complex problems that are in store for the radio listener in
the UK – if the Government's seemingly ill-considered plans proceed.</FONT></P>
<P><FONT face=Tahoma>Thank you.</FONT></P>
<P><EM><STRONG><FONT face=Tahoma>Rob Mannion, G3XFD </FONT></STRONG></EM></P>
<P><FONT face=Tahoma>Dr. R. B. Mannion G3XFD<BR>Editor Practical Wireless
magazine</FONT></P>
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