LPFM Practical Workshop Evening #1

It was a small classroom, and to be honest... thank god for that. Almost two hours after starting, we'd only got through perhaps half of the intended cirriculum. Part two later in the year - definitely. I learnt a lot about the different types of cable to use for transmitter applications, what the pros and cons of each were, and HOW to actually do it, and SEE how it worked. There was a whip aerial, a dipole and a J-Pole on display.

Particuarly of interest on the night, was the deviation meter and the frequency analysis machine (is that its name?) of what a radio signal looks like in relation to its strength, next to its neighbours on the dial. I saw how much bandwidth a signal can occupy and what a good and bad signal actually looks like. I learnt about the massive amount of filtering there is on the top of Auckland's Skytower and why the big networks are extremely nervous of the LPFM operator gaining more power.

This night certainly explained why doing things the right way is actually the better way. Its with great comfort knowing I have been doing things correctly, and after this night, I suspect the other operators who turned up are now much more 'switched on' about their own broadcasts, but also aware of what 'other' sneaky/dodgy players are actually doing to this fragile spectrum, which has been so kindly given to us all to use.

I for one will be much more vigiliant in protecting my own operation, and listening much more carefully for rogue operators, or abusers of the spectrum within my broadcast area. I suggest highly, to the handful of operators who did not attend, perhaps you'd better do so next time. You are being watched, and I think its best you know why.


I must confess to you my reader, that my humble station was commended on the night, of "sounding great". It was a nice compliment to receive. It has been a process of learning that has so far taken the last 7 of my 11 years in radio to fully understand and appreciate. I think it sounds just awesome today. A radio jock/tutor/artist friend of mine rang me recently and commented that it sounded 'polished' like I was using an Optimod. That really made my week.

If the best radio processing is transparent and shouldn't bring attention to itself, then what have I gone ahead and concocted? *sfx: lightning strike*

Thanks to Barry Ewen, Ricky Huntington and Dave Dingley for hosting an absolutely superb night of technical nouse. If you are a LPFM operator, potential user or enthusiast, I highly recommend you attend the next night. Keep your eyes to the boards for future events like these. Choice.

The Society Of Low Power FM Broadcasters Incorporated is pleased to announce that it will conduct the first in a series of planned "Practical Workshop Evenings" on the evening of Thursday 27th April 2006.

This will involve part presentation and part demonstration by people well qualified in their field. The emphasis will be on the practical side of things.

We will welcome anyone who would like to attend, but will charge non-members of The Society $15 as a contribution to cover the costs of hosting the evening.

Venue :-
Avondale Community Centre, 99 Rosebank Road, Avondale. Auckland

Time :-
7.30 pm.

Subject :-
Brief overview of a "typical" setup (mic, computer, mixer, tx). Then expand on the Tx side (compressors, stereo generator, tx proper, aerial) in more detail, particularly comp / limiter setup.