Thursday, 15 March 2007

bertvanschaick bertvanschaick wrote:
: Hi all,
:
: I have said it before on this forum. The old Dutch saying goes for a
: number of you, you won't find a cow even if you trip over one.
:
: In this forum numerous discussions have been going on about the old
: days
: of offshore radio. Pages and pages about the poor destiny of the
: Communicator, let alone the endless rumours about the Ross being moved
: or even better, used for an RSL.
:
: Now there is a real 2007 radioship being equipped. You all have been
: able to whitness it from day one and still there is no to hardly any
: enthousiasm about this project. Bloody hell, there is an aerial
: erected
: on a radioship to be. It is floating in salt water and intended to
: broadcast on AM.
:
: I was over the moon with the news. Finally ! Is it because I'm Dutch
: like the project? Despite so many UK radio-people being involved no
: interest from the UK? Had it been for Caroline, Laser or even more
: vintage Radio London, would that have helped?
:
: People are putting everything on the line to make it work. To create
: something 80% of you lot are a member for of this forum in the first
: place. The best we (AN) can do is "What a waste of money".
:
: I am past my fifties and I cherish the offshore days. I know these are
: different times, but I became a member of this forum to read about
: what
: people of today have to say about what I'm interested in. (Offshore)
: radio. Sometimes I drop a small remark myself. This time I opened AN
: being very curious for what my fellow anoraks would say about this
: fantastic news. I read things like "What a waste of money and time".
: May
: be the name of the forum should be altered in anoraks alienation, or
: anorak moaning as (some) people here are very very hard to please. May
: be some free tickets for a tour around the Ross revenge might bring a
: smile on their face.
:
: I am not disqualifying anyone as many of you might be mostly readers
: like me instead of contributants, but I am slightly frustrated (to say
: the least) and I'm sure it shows. Some people in Holland have 6
: frequencies and can't make even one work properly. If my memory serves
: me well for one of the frequencies is ship was needed…..? Now we
: have an
: organisation with only 1 frequency and two stations creating TWO
: transmitter sites that work of which one is on a ship. I think we owe
: these guys some more credit than "What a waste of money".
:
: I have seen a radio ship today. After so many years it made MY day.

Applause! Well said, Bert!
OK so this new radio ship probably won't ever see international waters, although if it did I'd be one of the first to sign up. But such a nice mast on a ship is still a sight that warms the cockles of my anorak heart, and reminds me of ye olde times when radio was truly free.

bertvanschaick bertvanschaick <...> said:

Hi all,

I have said it before on this forum. The old Dutch saying goes for a number of you, you won't find a cow even if you trip over one.

In this forum numerous discussions have been going on about the old days of offshore radio. Pages and pages about the poor destiny of the Communicator, let alone the endless rumours about the Ross being moved or even better, used for an RSL.

Now there is a real 2007 radioship being equipped. You all have been able to whitness it from day one and still there is no to hardly any enthousiasm about this project. Bloody hell, there is an aerial erected on a radioship to be. It is floating in salt water and intended to broadcast on AM.

I was over the moon with the news. Finally ! Is it because I'm Dutch like the project? Despite so many UK radio-people being involved no interest from the UK? Had it been for Caroline, Laser or even more vintage Radio London, would that have helped?

People are putting everything on the line to make it work. To create something 80% of you lot are a member for of this forum in the first place. The best we (AN) can do is "What a waste of money".

I am past my fifties and I cherish the offshore days. I know these are different times, but I became a member of this forum to read about what people of today have to say about what I'm interested in. (Offshore) radio. Sometimes I drop a small remark myself. This time I opened AN being very curious for what my fellow anoraks would say about this fantastic news. I read things like "What a waste of money and time". May be the name of the forum should be altered in anoraks alienation, or anorak moaning as (some) people here are very very hard to please. May be some free tickets for a tour around the Ross revenge might bring a smile on their face.

I am not disqualifying anyone as many of you might be mostly readers like me instead of contributants, but I am slightly frustrated (to say the least) and I'm sure it shows. Some people in Holland have 6 frequencies and can't make even one work properly. If my memory serves me well for one of the frequencies is ship was needed…..? Now we have an organisation with only 1 frequency and two stations creating TWO transmitter sites that work of which one is on a ship.
I think we owe these guys some more credit than "What a waste of money".

I have seen a radio ship today. After so many years it made MY day.

I think I've been described elsewhere as an armchair critic so let's clear that one up first. I have worked for two offshore broadcasters as a presenter, ferried transmitters across the North Sea under the nose of the then DTI, installed masts and climbed them in a force 9. After my offshore days were over I've worked in regional and local ILR and now run with my business partner two highly successful radio stations outside the UK - 'armchair critic' I am most definitely not.

dimitri konstantine wrote:

: Firstly it's AM which the real listener is switching off in alarming numbers

nonsense. if the content of the radio programmes is truly an alternative, word of mouth will spread and they will listen whatever the medium. have you heard the bland output of UK commercial radio recently? I'd challenge anyone blindfolded to tell one legal FM station from another. it is no wonder the ipod generation isn't tuning in. I've got two teenage sons, their interest in radio is zero. they actually laugh at me for bothering to run a pirate station and just plug in their ipods to my mp3 collection.
of course proving the fact to advertisers that people are listening is another issue, even getting RAJAR to rate a station costs big money, but hey that's because radio is now sadly run by accountants instead of music fans.

—Steve Leyland

I think that a particle must have a separate reality independent of the measurements. That is an electron has spin, location and so forth even when it is not being measured. I like to think that the moon is there even if I am not looking at it. – Albert Einstein

In article <01c101c766d7$34a0e570$717f0250@homea23e90ca27>, ... (Steve Leyland) wrote:

dimitri konstantine wrote:

: Firstly it's AM which the real listener is switching off in
alarming numbers

nonsense. if the content of the radio programmes is truly an
alternative, word of mouth will spread and they will listen whatever
the medium.

Yet again, within seven days, I find mind myself agreeing with most of that which D.K. wrote.
I have some sympathy with your views Steve and would agree that if the content is good then people will listen – if the e-mails are read sharing such news.

I also understand why people turn to MP3 players due to a lack of real choice and further I agree that the safe ways in which radio runs is declining – just recently, as I have mentioned, a group of radio people discussed the delights of digital and commented that the digital age will be good for radio as stations and sponsors alike will get [probably for the first time] much more accurate ratings. Then the poo will hit the fan, I added that.

If it is the AM station can carve out a good audience then I will be one of the first to congratulate them – you can make me eat my words with pleasure.

Currently there are, in the main, three groups/views around. The first is the Anoraky groups, second is the existing {let's say] FM groups and the third are those embracing the digital age. The later not all doing so in the public domain.

So maybe the anoraks will get there dream of seeing one more AM station 'cut-the-mustard' before AM finally curls up its toes. Maybe they won't. Maybe the FM groups will retain there control, maybe they won't. Equally, maybe all those very quiet digital people will win and maybe they won't.

What I would say to all groups is *do not* let your feeling run wild. Radio has a fabulous habit of going against the flow, from time to time, and for anyone to simply say none or all of the above groups will or won't work is treading on very thin ice.

Eric

In article <...>, ... (rfburns rfburns) wrote:

m.rosen m.rosen <...> said:
How would this relate to radio you may ask? Have a look at this
thread that seems to start at the bottom of page 38.

http://tinyurl.com/3d39az

This e-mail is from

Martin Rosen

I bet you would get alternative views here Martin, if folks read that thread.

I will be having a good drink and smoke down my local this weekend, I
find it strange that no one has really objected to these harsh new
laws that are coming into force in July. I guess everyone knows it is
a good thing and a few years down the road everyone will feel the
benefit health wise.

As a smoker, not to mention being asthmatic [yeah I know], I've certainly argued the freedom of choice theme, but to be honest we smokers are a bit daft.
I mean, we pay more tax than non-smokers; can't go to places we did before because freedom of choice has led to the majority not wanting smokers; and after a few years it takes longer to kick-start the lungs every day.

You never know I might even quit myself – one day :-)

Eric

Steve West <...> said:

dimitri konstantine wrote:

: Firstly it's AM which the real listener is switching off in alarming
numbers

nonsense. if the content of the radio programmes is truly an
alternative, word of mouth will spread and they will listen whatever the
medium. have you heard the bland output of UK commercial radio recently?
I'd challenge anyone blindfolded to tell one legal FM station from
another. it is no wonder the ipod generation isn't tuning in. I've got
two teenage sons, their interest in radio is zero. they actually laugh
at me for bothering to run a pirate station and just plug in their ipods
to my mp3 collection.
of course proving the fact to advertisers that people are listening is
another issue, even getting RAJAR to rate a station costs big money, but
hey that's because radio is now sadly run by accountants instead of
music fans.

Why do anoraks always trot out the same old thing about it not mattering what the medium is if the content is right? You can't challenge the figures, AM listeners are disappearing fast. Put something on MW these days, doesn't matter how good it is and nobody but the hardened anorak could be a*sed to go and search it out, the real listeners will be too busy listening to the bland output on UK FM commercial radio which is what a large proportion do and are quite happy with.

Ofcom has today updated its planned timetable for the advertisement of new DAB (Digital Audio Broadcasting) radio multiplex licences. The planned licence for Pembrokeshire & Carmarthenshire has now been replaced with a licence for Mid and West Wales, which is designed to cover the counties of Ceredigion and Powys in addition to Pembrokeshire and Carmarthenshire. This change has been made in order to facilitate as early as possible the provision of local commercial and BBC national DAB services – Radio Wales and Radio Cymru in as much of Wales as is practicable.



Eric Tesug <...> said:

Ofcom has today updated its planned timetable for the advertisement of
new DAB (Digital Audio Broadcasting) radio multiplex licences. The
planned licence for Pembrokeshire & Carmarthenshire has now been
replaced with a licence for Mid and West Wales, which is designed to
cover the counties of Ceredigion and Powys in addition to Pembrokeshire
and Carmarthenshire. This change has been made in order to facilitate
as early as possible the provision of local commercial and BBC national
DAB services – Radio Wales and Radio Cymru in as much of Wales as is
practicable.

That should be an interesting one. DAB reception can be cr*p in normal areas, with all those hills and mountains it'll sound like an outbreak of the Norman Collier's.

Certainly, the tax system spreads the burden of taxation unfairly.

First of all it penalises those who work, are innovative and enterprising.

And there's more tax to pay for those who are unable to contribute to their pensions.

Thank goodness that so many people make a contribution to the Chancellor through  National lottery contributions, speeding fines, smoking, gambling, drinking and associated higher insurance contributions. After all, if wasn't for them who would pay for the Public Sector employees' pensions?

This kitting out of a radio boat is quite interesting.

The prospect of listening to obscure album tracks, progressive rock and alternative music is not.

I've never worked out whether there's something in this music that I don't understand because I'm pretty unmusical, or whether it's a bit like the king's new clothes.

I always thought that the original Radio Seagull was dreadful and that Radio Caroline was always boring compared with its sister offshore stations.

It seems very odd that anyone would set up a commercial station to play music that has has few adherents.

I would probably give 1602 kHz a listen from an anorakical viewpoint but then I'd tune to a station that plays music that I can understand. 

From: "Sterling Times" <2@slewis.biz>

This kitting out of a radio boat is quite interesting.

Very True

The prospect of listening to obscure album tracks, progressive rock and
alternative music is not.

I've never worked out whether there's something in this music that I
don't understand because I'm pretty unmusical, or whether it's a bit
like the king's new clothes.

I always thought that the original Radio Seagull was dreadful and that
Radio Caroline was always boring compared with its sister offshore
stations.

It seems very odd that anyone would set up a commercial station to play
music that has has few adherents.

I would probably give 1602 kHz a listen from an anorakical viewpoint but
then I'd tune to a station that plays music that I can understand.

Hmm, interesting point of view, and one I fully understand. I'm sure there are many people who just like to stick to the few hundred tunes that they know.
But I am totally the opposite, I hate hearing the same songs over and over again.
There is so much good music out there that never reached the Top 40 or indeed never released as a single. So the likes of Seagull 1602 is providing something different to other stations. I agree a station like this is never going to hit the big time commercially, but as long as it lives within it's means and cuts it's cloth accordingly there will always be a place for this kind of niche broadcaster.

In article <42...>, ... (dimitri konstantine) wrote:

That should be an interesting one. DAB reception can be cr*p in
normal areas, with all those hills and mountains it'll sound like an
outbreak of the Norman Collier's.

Sure could be

Alex Jenkins wrote:

Sit back and prepare to enjoy your pub. We have had non smoking bars

here in Scotland for a year now and its GREAT, the pubs are no less busy and they have a REAL atmosphere not a cloud of nicotine gas. Oh and the beer tastes better now <

But why have we got to wait until July in England? I mean, at the beginning of April Wales will implement the ban, and at the end of April Northern Ireland will enforce it. However, at the rate they are closing pubs around my way just lately I don't think I'm ever gonna appreciate what its like to have a smoke free pub, they would have all gone by then :o(

Andy (ex-smoker of 10 years now)

Quoting a previous Steve Martin contribution:-

~

I hate hearing the same songs over and
over again.

Are you really me posting under a different name and with some kind of non-Southern Shandy drinking accent?

Quoting a previous Steve Leyland contribution:-

~

But such a nice
mast on a ship is still a sight that warms the cockles of my anorak
heart, and reminds me of ye olde times when radio was truly free.

It was never truly free though was it? It had to broadcast all the payola rubbish, and adverts and so on, so it was subject to the paymasters.