BS: BEIRG launches Save Our Sound campaign

Subject: Save Our Sound !
From: GUEST,lightnix
Date: 14 Nov 09 - 04:21 AM

I wrote the following for the next issue of Folk London, but Sheila said she doesn't mind if I post it here in advance...

The current version of Government plans to sell off portions of the radio spectrum, mean that most radio mics currently in use by the entertainments industry - but also at places of worship, aerobics classes, amateur dramatics productions, church fêtes, FOLK EVENTS, etc. - will probably become illegal to use, after the Digital Switch Over (DSO) in 2012.

Most radio mics run within a group of frequencies called Channel 69. Originally, Ofcom said they accepted the importance, of keeping Channel 69 reserved for PMSE (Programme Making & Special Events) use, given the cost to the entertainments industry and the Public, of replacing all that equipment.

However, that all changed in December 2008 and Ofcom now plans to move all PMSE users to a new channel - Channel 38; although the precise frequencies are still to be announced.

If that happens, then many people - not all of them professional users - will have to throw their old radio mics away and buy shiny new ones, which will work on the new frequencies. People caught using old radio mic equipment illegally, after the DSO, could receive heavy fines.

How much it will cost to buy a PMSE license after DSO is still also to be decided - by the Joint Frequencies Management Group (JFMG), who will be the "band managers" for PMSE equipment.

The British Entertainments Industry Radio Group (BEIRG) has launched the Save Our Sound campaign, in an attempt to keep Channel 69 for PMSE use and save everyone from having to buy expensive new radio mics; or risk facing punishment, in 2012.

Anyone who stands to be negatively affected by this, is encouraged to write to their MP and sign up to BEIRG right away.

BEIRG blog: http://beirg.wordpress.com/

JFMG website: http://www.jfmg.co.uk/

Subject: RE: BS: BEIRG launches Save Our Sound campaign
From: GUEST,Ed
Date: 14 Nov 09 - 04:44 AM

Yawn.....

The sky's also about to fall down, if you're interested.

Subject: RE: BS: BEIRG launches Save Our Sound campaign
From: GUEST,lightnix
Date: 14 Nov 09 - 05:30 AM

Sorry, Ed - your point is...?

Subject: RE: BS: BEIRG launches Save Our Sound campaign
From: GUEST
Date: 14 Nov 09 - 05:48 AM

Sorry, Ed - your point is...?

"the precise frequencies are still to be announced"

"How much it will cost to buy a PMSE license after DSO is still also to be decided"

Let's wait and see what happens, eh?

Remember PEL, when we'd lose our right to sing 'Happy Birthday'?

Didn't happen, did it? I'm just against unjustified hysteria.

Ed

Subject: RE: BS: BEIRG launches Save Our Sound campaign
From: GUEST,Ed
Date: 14 Nov 09 - 05:49 AM

Sorry, that was me

Subject: RE: BS: BEIRG launches Save Our Sound campaign
From: GUEST,lightnix
Date: 15 Nov 09 - 04:58 AM

I'm very sorry you see it that way, Ed :(

If you spend a few minutes reading the Ofcom documents linked to from the BEIRG site, you'll see that this is a very real issue.

But hey - I can't make you believe me. I've led the horse to water, if it doesn't want to drink, then there's not much I can do.

Good luck.

Subject: RE: BS: BEIRG launches Save Our Sound campaign
From: GUEST,Guest
Date: 16 Nov 09 - 05:15 AM

Great post by the way, one small correction though; the band manager may not be JFMG following DSO, as Ofcom are currently running a process of consultations leading to a beauty contest to find a band manager for this spectrum. That may or may not be the incumbent.

Subject: RE: BS: BEIRG launches Save Our Sound campaign
From: GUEST,lightnix
Date: 16 Nov 09 - 07:43 AM

Thanks for pointing that out, Guest.

I should also point out that BEIRG are not solely responsible for the Save Our Sound campaign, but have been pressuring Ofcom for the last five years, ever since this issue first came to light.

Also, the campaign is not to save Channel 69, but to provide adequate compensation for the businesses that will be affected by this - over and above the package, currently on offer by Ofcom.

Apologies for the errors, my bad.

Letter to today's Times here.