Community Radio Rationale Starting Community Radio Basic Installation Equipment and Costs Costs of Community Radio RATIONALE FOR COMMUNITY RADIO DEVELOPMENT In conjunction with the campaign to promote community awareness, the long term goal of the Satellite Distribution Project is to assist communities with the development of community-based radio where there is a need. Community radio would include the development, production and broadcast of local community programming to serve each community's cultural, educational, information and entertainment needs. Each community would broadcast its own unique set of programs for a portion of the day on a frequency of its own. The community radio group would, in co-operation with CFWE, arrange to broadcast its own programming at selected periods throughout the day. The 24-hour radio feed available from CFWE will still allow each community access to regional and national news and information as well as a common series of features and programs. Regardless of the number of hours of local programming, the community will still be able to receive CFWE's FM radio signal 24 hours each day. Community radio is the next stage in expanding radio communications to Aboriginal communities. STARTING COMMUNITY RADIO Developing community radio in communities now being served by CFWE radio is the next step in providing individual communities with the means to communicate their own interests and concerns. AMMSA remains committed to assisting interested communities to developing their own communication capabilities. AMMSA , through CFWE, will provide what assistance it can in terms of guidance, experience, encouragement, and technical guidance to all communities who express a desire to establish community radio. Community radio provides a local element that would not be possible nor practical through one centralized network like that of CFWE. Once established, it is expected that local community radio operations typically would operate from 3 to 5 hours each day on its own FM frequency. CFWE would retain its frequency ( 89.9 FM is common) in the community and broadcast its signal along side the community service. This system provides the national scope, reach and professionalism of a network feed coupled with the local language, cultural, and entertainment programming expected by the listeners in the communities. AMMSA will assist the community in applying for and securing its own FM frequency and making equipment recommendations. CFWE will retain its frequency and continue to broadcast to the community via an existing transmitter. This strategy will enable the community to access both local and regional programming throughout the day. This will provide the community with communications alternatives To date, CFWE has assisted 9 communities to develop their own community-based radio service. BASIC SYSTEM INSTALLATION EQUIPMENT AND ESTIMATES FM Transmitter Site: The first phase of community radio focuses on the transmitter site. Ideally, this site would have a centralized location, preferably on a high point in the community. In addition to the hardware, several administrative requirements must be met prior to broadcasting. It is suggested that a society to oversee radio operations be established and incorporated, that a frequency (channel) search and an engineering brief to ensure compliance with broadcast standards be completed. An off-air feed of CFWE programming will be used to feed the transmitter until a Studio is available. Consequently, a satellite dish and receiver should not be necessary. Many factors affect signal coverage including site location, tower height, antenna and transitter power. Since coverage requirements differ with each community, listed costs are for a typical installation only. Once it is determined what all requirements are, a detailed cost analysis can be provided. This system is required for rebroadcasting only. A basic installation will include the following: Equipment & Hardware: 60' - 100' Tower Guy lines/Anchors (as required) FM Transmitter Antenna & mounting hardware Transmission cable FM Receiver Equipment Mounting Rack Total Cost of Equipment & Hardware: n n n n n n n $6,500-$12,000. System Installation Costs: Concrete base and tower Assembly Rack Assembly, Calibration and Testing FM Antenna Installation and Wiring Interface with CFWE Network program Connection of Cables and System Check Total Cost of System Installation: Administrative/Consultation: Site survey, travel, and license / network application: Frequency Search: Total Cost of Complete System and Installation: n n n n n $5,500-$12,000 n n $1,000 - $1,500 $1,500 $10,000 - $22,500 NOTES: GST (if applicable) is extra to the above costs. Equipment specifications are site-dependant and subject to change. Communities may customize their equipment as required. Suitable existing equipment in the community may be used to reduce costs. Labour costs can be minimized by utilizing local tradespeople. COMMUNITY RADIO EQUIPMENT LIST AND COSTS This system is connected to basic rebroadcast equipment for community-based programming. Audio Console (Mixer): CD Players (2): Cassette Machines (2): Portable Cassette Recorder: Monitor Speakers: Microphones (2): Miscellaneous**: Installation Costs: Total Equipment Cost & Installation: $3,000 - $10,000 $600 - $1,000 $500 - $1,000 $1,000 - $2,000 $200 - $500 $200 - $500 $1,000 $1,000 $7,500 - $17,000 ** includes Microphone stands, headphones, installation hardware, power bars, clock etc. NOTES: GST (if applicable) is extra to the above costs. The above listed equipment package is typical only - communities may alter equipment list as determined by budget and needs. Existing equipment in the community may be used to lower installation costs.