1 Why is low power radio conceptually different from traditional broadcasting?

Low power radio is designed to provide a wireless connection between two nearby points. Depending on the precise technology employed, this can be a very high quality connection, and may also be significantly cheaper than using wires or optical fiber.

1.1 Where is low power radio used?

Low power radio is used for one to many and one to one connectivity. The former is normally called broadcasting, while the latter is called telephony. It provides enormous value addition because of frequency reuse, where the same frequency is repeatedly deployed in physically contiguous areas. Since the signal from one area does not penetrate to the next, it can be reused without causing signal interference or degradation of signal quality.

1.1.2 At very low power, radio provides for another form of deployment, namely narrowcasting, a term coined to define one to a few communication.

1.1.3 Most people are aware of and acknowledge the widespread use of low power radio as a community communication tool, where the community owns and operates its own local radio broadcasting station.
Such stations are commonly called community radio stations.

1.1.4 In recent years, very low power radio has become commonplace for data communications. There are several standards governing the use of such technology, one of which is the IEEE 802.n family of data communication standards. This is popularly known as WiFi. Devices using this standard are normally linked to computers.

1.1.4.1 Another popular form of low power radio is cellular telephony. The generic term cellular telephony is used because the wireless telephones are linked together in local cells. The switch in each cell is in turn connected to other switches, and the system handles switching across the entire network and also handing over the signal as the user travels between cells. Another term for this technology is therefore mobile technology, since it supports mobile connecttivity.

1.1.4.2 The current favorite form of this technology is GSM, or Groupe Systeme Mobile, which is cost effective and delivers a very clear signal.

1.1.4.3 A second standard finding favor now is CDMA, or code division multiple access, where cell sizes are much smaller. It is designed for both data and voice connectivity, and is therefore gaining ground around the world, including India.

1.1.4.4 A hybrid form of wireless/wireline telephony developed in India uses CorDECT, an adaptation of an earlier technology called DECT. This is very good for both data and voice, but is primarily an interconnect stage and does not provide for the 'last mile' to the user, which is currently through wire.

1.1.5 Audio kiosks use wireless to deliver sound to nearby listeners. Applications of this technology are in places of historical or cultural interest, where a great deal of information can be delivered conveniently to visitors remotely through headphones.

1.1.6 Apart from direct delivery to listeners through private radio receivers or handsfree headphones, a significant number of people gathered together in an open space can conveniently be given reasonably high quality sound using a large number of small loudspeakers scattered around the space. This substitutes for conventional solutions, such as the traditional bank of speakers at the stage, or distributed horn speakers with high energy conversion and low quality (due to very low audio bandwidth).

Such a solution is built with a set of radiospeakers distributed around the space, each tuned to the same broadcast frequency and delivering audio output through relatively small and inexpensive cone speakers. The input sound, whether it is speech or entertainment (music, etc) is handled in the traditional manner. However, the output is fed to a low power FM transmitter and it is this signal that each receiver collects and converts to low volume audio.

The total listening experience is amazingly unique and different from any other form of aural reproduction, delivering an excellent sound experience. As an added benefit, the ambient sound level in the area remains low, avoiding a source of disturbance for other people in the area who may not wish to hear the content. The potential for concepts such as protracted open air late night concerts, essential for superior performance of, for instance, Indian classical music, are unprecedented.

1.1.7 A similar system can be used for multi-point sound input as well, with the addition of a sound mixer to blend the sounds of multiple individual audio sources into a single or dual channel set. This can be delivered to radio receivers suitably placed around the space, to create a pleasantly smooth blanket of sound. This results in an overall even distribution of sound pressure, unlike traditional concentrated nodes of high pressure sound.

The objective of such an aural environment design is to deliver sound levels considered better for rhythmic music, without the necessity to raise sound pressure at any point to dangerous or unpleasant levels.

Using low power radio to achieve this objective not only frees the area from a network of wires, it also ensures that the sound remains mostly within the target area.

2 What is community radio, and why do we not have a functioning
community radio environment in India?

Community Radio essentially means a wireless broadcasting installation that is owned and operated by the community that forms its audience. It commonly implies a low power and inexpensive setup that confines its signal to the community of people clustered nearby.

Since the government of India till very recently prohibited the use of the airwaves by private citizens, several NGOs used to do a workaround by taping programmes and playing these back to groups of villagers. Now that the situation has eased, this workaround may stop. However, since the proposed liberalization is only limited to either urban commercial or residential educational institutions, there may still be some difficulties for taking community radio to the villages, which is where it will have the maximum positive impact.

This possibility has not so far been advocated by the government, which is unfortunate. In too many areas of civic facilities, we persist as a nation in adopting a patronizing top down approach to everything. The result is that the people who most need to look for self-reliance are forced to continue to depend on government handouts.

Community radio stations are licensed by the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting in India. State or lower governing units are not permitted to licence any form of broadcasting. Unlike high-power radio stations, they cover only a small geographical area. The idea of such a station is to ensure that local people take hands-on responsibility for production and dissemination of audio content. This is the basic spirit of community radio. Government recognized residential colleges and schools are the only institutional/organisational categories that can run CRS in India.

2.1 What are the essential ingredients needed to set up a radio station?

Any wireless broadcasting station needs the following inputs: installation and maintenance of a transmitter and antenna, a studio setup, content design and management, production, and operations.

2.1.1 The first set of these is largely a technical job, but with low power also comes ease of use, to the point that most of the tasks can be handled by any ordinarily smart person with a little training. With locally available maintenance also comes self-reliance, hence this is a desirable condition.

2.1.2 The studio setup can vary from a simple arrangement of tape recorders to a highly engineered production studio. The ability to pre-record at least part of the content in general will make for a better quality of programming, which means a higher level of satisfaction for listeners. After the first excitement of having locally produced programmes, there will naturally be a demand for quality in order to sustain listenership. According to the recently released guidelines for Indian community radio stations, they are expected to maintain six month's content as tape recordings, in any case.

2.1.3 Content design and management is naturally the key to running a successful show. And the most important element of this is the production of programmes that the listeners prefer to listen to. This aspect therefore involves research of listener needs and from that, design of programmes to satisfy those needs. Content management implies arrangement of programmes to satisfy the disparate needs of different listener groups within the community. As with any new media, listener needs will vary and grow with the listening habit, sothis is a very interesting job.

2.1.4 Production is actually the management of programme production, including ensuring the broadcast personnel are available in the broadcast studios at the appointed time, as well as ensuringthe scheduled programmes are broadcast on time.

2.1.5 Operations is the technical job of ensuring the scheduled programmes actually get transmitted over the airwaves.

2.2 What is the geographical coverage of a community radio station?

The maximum capacity of a community radio transmitter has been limited to 50 watt. The broadcast will therefore cover a smaller geographical area, compared to conventional radio stations. A 50-watt transmitter will cover a 20-25 kms radius, if the terrain is flat. Using a taller antenna mast can increase the coverage slightly, but the cost of the tower goes up enormously as its height increases.

2.3 Does the government owned All India Radio operate any CRS?

As on February 2003, there are five government owned and operated (All India Radio) CRS'. The details are listed below. In addition, one MW transmitter has been leased to the National Institute of Agricultural Extension Management, Hyderabad.

2.4 Is there an alternative route to starting a community radio
station in India?

Gyan Vani (the education channel of the Indira Gandhi National Open University) is mandated and licensed to operate 40 stations in india. The Cooperative Model of Gyan Vani aims to carve out a distinct broadcast identity, by embracing a non-commercial approach and philosophy to broadcasting. The suggested cooperative model envisages 60:40 ratio of the educational and social sector respectively, with software pooling to flow from:

Serva Shikha Abhiyan
Primary & Secondary Education
Adult Education
Technical & Vocational Education
Higher Education
Distance Education
Extension Education, etc.
Ministries such as Agriculture, Environment, Health, Women & Child
Welfare, Science & Technology, etc.
Non-Governmental Organizations
UN Agencies

IGNOU has already started several stations, the latest being in Kolkata in July 2003. Contact IGNOU to explore the possibilities of starting one in your area.

Additionally, AIR has got several decommissioned transmitters operating in the MW band. These are available for restarting on fairly reasonable terms, together with use of studio facilities etc., to recognised residential educational institutions in the same area. One such installation has been contracted out in Hyderabad to the National Institute of Agricultural Extension Management for a year, at a reported cost of about Rs 25 lakhs.

There are 28 such facilities currently lying fallow.

3 Expenditure on a CRS

There are several aspects to the cost of building a community radio station, ranging from the fees charged by the government to the capital expenditure on equipment and then the operating expenses.

3.1 License: how much and when is it renewable?

There is no license fee, but reportedly the Wireless Planning Commission Wing of Ministry of Communications and IT spectrum will charge an anuual usage fee of Rs 4-8 lakhs, depending upon the geographical broadcast area. Logically this will not apply to stations leased from AIR. We will update this information here as soon as enough stations begin operations. The prescribed license application form is available from the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting .
It is renewable every three years.

3.2 Is there any other cost?

To avoid vested interests from blocking frequencies, a bank guarantee
of Rs 50,000 is needed.

3.3 What is the capital cost?

It really depends on the size of the coverage area. Oddly enough, the cost actually rises sharply as the area increases, because the signal in the FM frequency band is highly dependent on line of sight, and a lot of power is needed to overcome obstacles such as trees and concrete buildings. The signal will go further if to the antenna is raised to a height. Normally, a steel mast is used to do this, but if a suitably tall building is available, the cost of the mast may be minimised.

The transmitter can be built by hand from the design given on this site, or from kits available abroad. Alternatively, it is possible to buy readymade transmitters from manufacturers abroad, but check out for import licenses before doing this. In any case, this is a very complicated procedure, since the import cannot be done until the broadcast license is granted, and that is dependent upon equipment clearance by WPC.

The license permits transmitters of power rating up to 50W, which is substantial. The transmitter consists of an FM exciter and a radio frequency amplifier. It is possible to buy these separately.

The antenna can also be assembled in India, following established design criteria. It is best to use a power meter to test the antenna during assembly, as the efficiency can be optimised very closely at the desired frequency.

The steel mast must be properly designed and erected, as tall towers are subject to a lot of stress in high wind conditions. It should also be well grouted to a firm foundation.

Aside from the transmitting part, a station needs a good studio section. This can be set up in a reasonably small room or set of rooms. A good installation includes two sets of recording equipment, adequate numbers of microphones and mixers, and possibly separate playback equipment, so that the station can broadcast even while recording other programmes.

All this is optional, because it is also possible to start with a minimal set of cassette tape recorders and microphones.

We have found that commercial digital minidisk recorders are good value for money, because the format supports high audio compression ratios, thus saving immensely on archival costs. The recorders handle both recording and non-linear editing, and of course playback, another huge cost saving. Another option is to use computers for program storage, editing and retrieval, since high capacity hard disks are now extremely cheap. An advantage of this arrangement is that the installation can double up as a computer center, thus lending the possibility of earning commercially from the equipment. In addition, if the Internet is available at the chosen location, huge amounts of information can be accessed easily in order to boost program content.

4 License

This set of queries details the process to get a license.

4.1 How do you get a license?

Apply to the Secretary, Ministry of Information and Broadcasting for
the prescribed form. After completion, it must be mailed back to the
same person.

Secretary
Ministry of Information and Broadcasting
Room No. 664, A Wing, Shastri Bhawan, New Delhi.
Tel No.: 3383374
Email: dsa.inb@sb.nic.in

4.2 How long will it take to get the license after applying?

At this point in time, there is no guaranteed response period. Several ministries have to individually and severally give their appoval before the next stage. These are the ministries of Home Affairs, Defense, Human Resources Development and External Affairs. Once clearance from each of these is obtained, a letter of intent and/or license will be issued.

4.3 Once the license is given can broadcasting begin immediately?

Unfortunately not. There are a number of necessary formalities still. These include obtaining Standing Advisory Committee on Radio Frequency Allocations (SACFA) clearance to set up the necessary broadcast facilities, and a Wireless Operating License from the Wireless Planning Commission Wing of Ministry of Communications and IT.

5 Technical

Ths describes the technical components needed to get the station running.

5.1 What type of equipment is needed for the radio station?

There are two areas of equipment essential for a station: the studio and the transmitter.

The studio consists of recording and editing equipment. The license calls for six months archival of all broadcasts, so there must also be provision for storage and retrieval of all material. In any case, it is always better to have a bank of audio material avialble, on the one hand, and on eht other, such material can also be a valuable asset for the facility.

The recording equipment consists of microphones, portable tape recorders for outdoor recording, fixed recorders for studio recording, hardware such as stands and seating arrangements etc.

The editing equipment consists of a dual console playback equipment player, preferably with a compact disc playing facility, and a mixer or multimedia computer. The latter handles the two tasks of editing and mixing. A significant advantage is the ability to do non-linear editing, but this needs more expertise to handle, and the system is also more prone to breakdown. Dedicated non-linear editing equipment is very expensive.

Transmission is handled by a combination of transmitter and antenna, the latter being mounted on a tall mast, made of a sturdy construction. Steel is often used for the mast, but the antenna must be electromagnetically isolated from it, with a tough mounting made from a non-ferrous metal.

Using pairs of all equipment ensures that there is a backup available
if there is a breakdown.

5.2 Is there any other critical item?

Nearly all the equipment described here runs on electricity. It is impossible to be completely reliant on a steady electricity supply, so make sure that there is adequate backup available in terms of batteries and inverters. A solar power battery charger can cut costs, and there are subsidies available to defray the cost of such arrangements.

5.3 Where is the equipment for broadcasting sourced?

The transmitters and audio equipment could be purchased from agencies within India, or imported from abroad. The masts and perhaps the physical studio may need to be constructed with the help of an engineering construction agency.

Contact us for an assessment and proposal to handle your needs.

6 Management

Here we deal with the nitty-gritties of starting a station and
keeping it running.

6.1 How do we get people to handle the various tasks?

Although radio has been around for many decades in the country, there is an enormous dearth of experienced and trained people to run
stations.

There are two types of people needed: management and technical. The management staff will ensure that there is sufficient audio material available for broadcast, and monitor the broadcast and the audience to ensure that it is the right kind of material and that it is being broadcast at the best possible listening time. The technical staff carry out production activities (including direction and editing of audio programmes), both for creation of audio material and ensuring that it goes on the air with optimal efficiency.

We suggest a training workshop for potential staffers. Such a workshop exposes and familiarises local staff to the skills needed to handle all the audio and transmission equipment mentioned earlier. The non-technical part of training covers the production of programs and learning how to assess programme response and scheduling.

6.2 Where does one find trainers, and who should the trainees be?

The technical trainer can be a suitable person from an operational audio studio in the same area. Another alternative is to contact the nearest All India Radio station and request the station director for permission in training on audio equipment. Unfortunately, there is a wide variety, with different brands of audio handling equipment, and the systems can be different. Nevertheless the basic principles are the same. You may also contact us to design and conduct a training workshop.

A community radio station should involve local people. There should not be any preconceived limitations. This is the only form of media where literacy is not a measure of competence or ability.

6.3 How long can training take?

As long as it takes for the trainees to get comfortable with the equipment, and to expose them to diferent types of programme concepts. It should be very hands-on, with plenty of opportunity for them to create their own trial programs and to hear them being broadcast (which is easy for a new station, since people will not expect to hear such broadcasts at unusual times of the day).

6.4 What type of programs can be broadcast?

Excepting news itself, and items of direct political or offensive nature, anything of interest to the community can and should form the content from the station. Generally speaking, agriculture, education, environment, health, and entertainment programs are likely to be popular broadcasts from a typical community radio station. Since the program content is non-commercial by design, it is unlikely that popular copyrighted music will be affordable, but this should be taken as an opportunity to highlight local talent. Other activities like radio browsing (obtaining specific information from the Internet for listener(s), most of whom who will not have access to computers, and broadcasting it), messages, announcements and celebrations are very likely to find a good audience.

Radio informs and entertains. Information on specific issue of interest related to development can be disseminated in different formats. For example, documentary, song, quiz, drama, and interview/panel discussion are completely different ways of handling the same content. Entertainment has no thumb rule.

6.5 What cannot be broadcast?

There is a broadcasting code laid down by the information and
broadcasting ministry that has to be
followed.

6.6 How can local people actively participate?

Local involvement is the key differentiator of community media. Community radio stations around the world are successful due to people actively participating voluntarily (or even paid) to contribute to the functioning of the station. Everyone must gain a sense of ownership, because the community radio station belongs to its people.

The licensee (in most likelihood, given the current license conditions, a local school or college) that runs the radio station should form a team of involved people and experts, to create an executive branch within the radio station to address the issues relevant to welfare of the community. Get people on board in the decision-making processes, such as the time of broadcast that is appropriate to listeners, content of programs and contributions from within the community, to name a few examples.

6.7 How can institutes/organizations who physically own the CRS
benefit the community?

This is possible by talking to people directly to identify their basic needs that are not covered by other media. CRS can provide solutions to issues related to agriculture, education, environment, health, and others by delivering information directly to listeners at the place and time of their convenience.

Having said that, in other parts of the world there is a clear differentiation of value added by educational radio and community radio.

6.8 How can a community radio station become self-sustaining?

All programs broadcast from the station must be free to air, and not carry either sponsored or commercial content. Having said this, it is not clear, but reasonable to presume, that it is possible to solicit subscriptions from the community. This may ensure that people get a sense of value by its existence, both for the station and for themselves and their ownership of the station.

6.9 What should be the duration of broadcast?

A good rule of thumb is that one hour of broadcast will take three to four hours of preparation. Thus at least half a day or pure production work is needed to ensure at least one hour a day of broadcasting. Thus a new station wil porbably not be able to handle more than about an hour per day of broadcasting, but as people get experience and find more ways of developing interesting programme material, this will get extended.

If the station is geographically reasonably close to other stations, then they can begin to share popular material and thus enhance their own broadcast capabilities.

6.10 What is the best time of day to broadcast?

The ideal time to broadcast is a purely local decision. Conduct a little research to find a starting point, then experiment with different schedules and take feedback on different types of content.
A pragmatic schedule will emerge.

6.11 In what other manner can a CRS serve the community?

At Radiophony, we consider a CRS to be the first part of a complete enabled center, providing access for communities to information from a wide variety of sources, including the Internet, and delivering it by the most practical means to different parts of the community.