Long Wave 279kHz from the Isle of Man
Just what is all this 279 stuff? Christopher England compiles the facts and ignores the speculation.
The plan is to broadcast on 279kHz from the Isle of Man, or maybe a sea-based platform just off the coast of the Isle of Man.
The project has been slowed and suffered awful delays. Information is very confused and sometimes contradicts itself or is sketchy. Some is made up by those who seem to wish the project ill.
So, here we are collating the facts.
Source: the official IOMIB site, July 2006:
"Our station will be heard across the entire UK and Ireland as well as parts of mainland Europe on 279 kHz Long Wave and on cellular phones. The station will also be heard across much of Europe by satellite, around the world via the internet and on selected digital radio and TV networks."
In summary: Long Wave, satellite, internet, cable TV, and an unspecified method via 'cellular phones'.
TARGET AGE:
Source: the official IOMIB website July 2006:
"The target audience is intended to be adults aged 30 to 60, being the age range with a relatively large disposable income."
In June 2004 the official IOMIB website said:
"25 to 55"
TARGET SEX:
Source: the official IOMIB website, July 2006:
"Of prime interest are shoppers who make or heavily influence purchases of cars, holidays and most FMCGs and are consequently a sought–after target market for many advertisers."
So, since the majority of 'shoppers' for these good are women, it's become ASSUMED (but not confirmed) that the target audience are women.
Source: the offiical IOMIB website, July 2006:
"The Station will not focus on one type of music to the exclusion of all others, i.e. there will be a broad selection of music types and an extensive music play list. It is likely that the mainstay of music heard will be light rock and soul, with significant jazz and blues plus some inspirational and gospel music,"
So, that's light rock / soul / jazz / inspirational / gospel music.
The SPECULATION is that "inspirational and gospel music" points to the Christian (religious) bias of the output of the station.
Indeed, the FAQs from the now removed longwaveradio.com included:
"For the record, we are a group of private investors in the Isle of Man, the UK and the USA, who are in this as a purely commercial profit making exercise. While many of our shareholders are religious, none practice with any more fervour than regular worship and none are involved in cults, as far as we are aware. One doesn't need to be very religious at all to enjoy gospel music – just look at the success of 'the Blues Brothers' film, and they were on a Mission from God!"
On the 'inspirational and gospel music' planned as part of the main output, the FAQs said: "It's fine uplifting stuff (well most of it) and sadly lacking from today's radio."
On the official IOMIB website in June 2004 there was no mention of 'inspirational and gospel music'.
TIMETABLE:
Source: the official IOMIB website, July 2006:
"Anticipated start of test transmissions: (2006)"
"Expected Full Programme Launch Date: (test plus four weeks)"
By contrast, in June 2004, the official IOMIB website said:
"Construction work on the radio stations studios and the Long Wave transmitter will commence in Summer 2004. This will include the construction of the transmission platform at a shipyard – which will then be towed to the Isle of Man and installed onto the seabed 9 kilometres from the coast of Ramsey."
"It is hoped the radio station will be ready for operation around the end of the year. A Period of test transmissions will then commence with a launch anticipated at Easter 2005."
Interestingly, this indicates that test transmissions would run for 3 or 4 months. Currently that is reduced to 4 weeks.
CROSSED FIELD ANTENNA:
The aerial system proposed for 279 is known as a CFA, and is being / has been manufactured by KAT. Mysteriously, their website includes a plea for people to buy shares.
Source: www.crossedfieldantenna.com July 2006:
"Good news IOM 279 CFA Project: NEW !
KAT has completed manufacturing the 500 kW CFA system for the IOMB.
The IOMB 279 Superpower CFA is ready now for shipment to the IOM for installation and operation soon .
KAT is a substantial shareholder in the IOMB , owns millions of IOMB shares , and offer to sell some of KAT shares to complete the IOM CFA project on time ( we offer to sell 3 million shares , to do the installation and complete the IOM CFA project on time )."
By September 2006, this had been replaced by:
"Good news IOM 279 CFA Project: NEW !
KAT has completed manufacturing the 500 kW CFA system for the IOMB.
The IOMB 279 Superpower CFA is ready now for shipment to the IOM for installation and operation soon .
KAT is a substantial shareholder in the IOMB , owns millions of IOMB shares ."
