Message-ID: <3.0.5.32.19990330140600.00805380@zen.co.uk>
Date: Tue, 30 Mar 1999 14:06:00 +0100
To: "LF Group" <rsgb_lf_group@blacksheep.org>
From: "Alan Gale" <alan.gale@zen.co.uk>
Subject: LF: Isle of Man/cfa antenna
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Hi All,

	Remembering the recent discussion about crossed field antennas
on the reflector, I thought the following posting from the BDXC mailing 
list relating to the award of the new Isle of Man Long Wave broadcast 
licence (QRM generator) might be of interest. The group behind the 
succesful bid claimed that they could transmit this powerhouse signal 
using a CFA, and the licence was awarded on the basis that the succesful
applicant could only use this type of antenna. This should prove interesting,
as they will now have to put words into action and prove that it really
can work at LF. I believe that the same company claim to have tested 
this type of antenna succesfully in Egypt, though I can't confirm that
or the results. Since this antenna will only be around 25/30 metres high 
at the chosen frequency of 279 kHz I will be very interested in seeing
the results, though very sad a losing some excellent channels for hearing
Canadian NDBs and checking T/A propagation to yet another pop station! :-(  

	Maybe now we'll finally find out if the CFA really does work, or 
if the Manx Government have been taken in by a good salesman! :-)

	73 Alan, G4TMV

DX Information from the British DX Club.

PRESS RELEASE
AWARD OF THE LONG WAVE SOUND BROADCASTING LICENCE

Following the invitation to tender for the provision of a sound broadcasting
service on 279kHz long wave, the Commission received three applications for
the 10 year licence by the closing date of 30 October 1998. After analysis
of each groups' application proposals further information was requested in
respect of programme proposals, staffing, technical matters - particularly
relating to the transmitting aerial and the associated technology, financial
issues and other general matters. All applicant groups were invited to
interview on the Isle of Man in January 1999.

Together with its consultants the Commission and its senior staff considered
all the detail provided and assessed which of the applicants would provide
the best service for the Isle of Man taking into account, inter alia, the
content and type of programming, the promotion of the Island in the best
possible light, creation of employment opportunities in the Isle of Man, the
financial returns to the Isle of Man Treasury over the period of the
licence, and any other tangible or intangible benefits. The financing and
the business plans of each applicant were carefully scrutinised to ensure
that they had proper financial backing and the ability to sustain the
service over the period of the licence.

All three applicants responded positively to the invitation to tender but
one offered a superior technical solution to the environmentally sensitive
issue of the transmitting aerial required for broadcasting on long wave.
This group intends to use a crossed field antenna which not only
significantly reduces the visual intrusion of the transmitting aerial
(approx. 25 to 30 metres high as opposed to 260 metres for a conventional
mast) but is also intrinsically safer as regards the effects of the
induction field.

This company also offered a significant licence fee which together with VAT,
company and personal taxation could amount to payments to the Manx Treasury
of approximately Ł43 million over the licence period. It is the group's
intention that 70% of the shareholding in this company will be held by Isle
of Man residents or Manx companies and that the studios will be located in
Ramsey creating about 50 jobs. The company also intends to broadcast the
programme service on satellite and on the Internet.

Subject to the approval of Tynwald, the Communications Commission intends to
grant a provisional sound broadcasting licence to Isle of Man International
Broadcasting Company Ltd.

It will be the responsibility of this company to obtain all the necessary
planning permissions for both the transmitting site and the studios and to
carry out any Environmental Impact Assessment that might be required. This
provisional licence will be granted on the basis that only the crossed field
antenna technology can be used. Once full planning permission is obtained
then the Commission will grant a substantive 10 year licence under the
Broadcasting Act 1993 of Tynwald to Isle of Man International Broadcasting
Company Ltd.

Bryan R Waddington, Director
Issued 26 March 1999

[http://www.gov.im]

--

Ray Woodward


                              [ raymond@uplink.softnet.co.uk ]


Permission is hereby granted to reproduce the above information, provided that
full credit is given to the original contributor AND to the British DX Club.


	----------------------------------------------------------------------
 	From:		Alan Gale G4TMV 	
 	Location:	North-West England. IO83VP Lancs 53:39.3N 2:10.6W.		
	Equipment:	Kenwood TS830M + Converters + FL3. W & G SPM-3
			G5RV, Wellbrook ALA100 & ALA1530 magnetic Loops. 
 	Interests:	Beacons, Search & Rescue, Maritime, Scanning, TVDX.
	
	Are you interested in NDBs? If so why not contact me for details
	about how to subscribe to the 'NDB List' e-mail reflector, or visit
	my website at: http://www.zen.co.uk/home/page/alan.gale/    
 	----------------------------------------------------------------------