FM radio scepticism

Press, 20 January 1981, Page 1

FM radio scepticism

An FM radio station transmitting from the Port Hills would cost about $250,000 to set up, said two Christchurch broadcasting experts yesterday. ’-Mr Noel Wesney, chairman of' the Independent Broadcasters’ Association arid-Mr lari. Kirkpatrick, a member of the.. 1978 FM Radio Planning Committee, said that recent statements On the cost of setting up FM: radio in New Zealand were, ‘.‘widely at variance” . ’ with the facts. ' . “The Government 7 gives the impression that: it is

going to cost huge amounts and the Labour Party spokesman on broadcasting gives the impression that it can be set up for very little. The fact is that it is something in between,” Mr Wesney said.;. ■ r ’ r , . ' ' FM radio was' a high fidelity medium, and to get the best results needed to be set up with good equipment, Mr Kirkpatrick said.

A transmitter on the Port Hills with about 1000 watts of power would give stereo radio coverage of 20 miles and this ' would cover Christchurch City.

Both men ruled out the likely success of any proposed FM pirate station in Christchurch. The flat terrain would make detection of “all but a toy set” a matter of ease for radio inspectors. Mr Wesney, who is also a director of Radio Avon, viewed with “strong scepticism” the suggestion by some North Island groups that the Government was likely to make a more positive statement on the future of FM broadcasting on February 7. “All we are. likely to get is another lukewarm statement promising FM radio

but no date being given as to when this will take place,” he said. Mr Wesney said that the private radio system did not support pirate FM radio enthusiasts.

The Auckland FM pirate station, Radio 90.3, FM broadcast in Auckland last weekend. A spokesman for the group said that it was waiting for a Government policy statement on FM which was expected on February 7.

If it was “no”, groups in Christchurch, Dunedin, and Wellington would go on the air, the spokesman said.