Hi everyone Our General Manager Phil Grey spoke last week with the Central News team, giving an update on our 89FM project. The discussion covers progress-to-date, Access Radio and how it reflects our community, and what the allocation of a high power FM licence means for our region. Here's the interview:http://www.youtube.com/watchttp://www.youtube.com/ cheers!
Hi everyone - Well, we've been busy working towards our overall fundraising target that, if met, will see us broadcasting loud and clear to the Waikato on 89FM. We'll also be relaunching with a new look and new name - so exciting times for us! We've had tremendous support from a range of funders and businesses including NZ on Air, DV Bryant Trust, NZ Community Trust, as well as a whole bunch of our own volunteers who have dug deep to support the cause. We have some fundraising events happening soon too - and will keep you posted on what, when and where. The best place to keep up with our ongoing fundraising is our Facebook page - please 'like' us!? https://www.facebook.com/communityradiohamilton cheers
WOW!? thank you so much for your donations so far!?? Every little bit counts, and the generosity shown here so far has helped us work towards our overall grand target to make our 89FM relaunch a big success. Our next fundraiser happens this Saturday 3 March - come and check out our Mega Garage Sale - outside the station at 214 Collingwood St.
Hi there. Thanks for taking a moment to find out more about our 89FM Fundraising project. If you have any questions please feel free to contact our general manager Phil Grey on 07 834 2170 or phil.grey@communityradio.co.nz Here's some additional background on our exciting project. Community Radio Hamilton is celebrating two major milestones this year: ? On 7 December 2011 we marked our 20th year on air as the Waikatofs only Access radio station. ? On 21 October 2011 we received a letter from the Ministry for Culture & Heritage confirming our successful application for the coveted full power 89.0FM frequency. Background Access radio in New Zealand provides a local outlet for local people to have their voices heard in the media. Its specific purpose is written into law within the 1989 Broadcasting Act, to gprovide for the interests of women, youth, children, persons with disabilities and minorities in the community, including ethnic minorities.h As one of New Zealandfs twelve Access radio stations, Community Radio Hamilton has broadcast on AM1206 since 1991, enabling our unique content, gby, for, and abouth our community, to reach the wider Waikato. In 2005 we launched a second low-power FM frequency followed by online live streaming and podcasting from our website to enhance our accessibility and user-friendliness. However, we do not own this limited FM frequency, and are one of only two Access stations nationally not to operate on a full-power FM frequency. Our success in the recent 89.0FM allocation was the result of more than three years of government lobbying. We have worked hard to achieve this positive outcome for our users and the wider community, but the project now requires substantial financial investment to make it a reality The project Our success in the recent 89.0FM allocation was the result of more than three years of government lobbying. We have worked hard to achieve this positive outcome for our users and the wider community, but the project now requires substantial financial investment to make it a reality. Why FM? Our existing 106.7FM frequency is limited by law to low-power broadcast output levels. Accordingly, the radio transmission distance is limited to the Hamilton City area and a limited range of receivers. It is also unlicensed, and as such is at risk of interference by other stations. The full-power 89.0FM frequency will provide us with a secure broadcast frequency of our own, and will allow us to access a far larger audience as we will then be within esurfingf distance of all FM band listeners. FM also offers better audio quality, and therefore a better and more enjoyable listening experience. Many radios and all mobile phones do not have AM bands, and some people ? especially young people ? donft listen to AM. People have also come to expect FM sound quality. It is worth noting that the annual rental and licensing costs for an FM frequency are the same if not less than we are currently paying for FM. Also, if we were to remain on AM, our aging transmitter would need replacing within the next three years ? at twice the price of an FM transmitter. Community Radio Hamilton has adapted well to other advances in broadcast technology, and was one of the first radio stations in New Zealand to offer live streaming and podcasting from our website. So important is this to our organisation, that we now coordinate the Access Internet Radio project on behalf of seven other Access radio stations. We believe, as a media outlet that facilitates free speech in New Zealand, it is vital (if not our duty), that we remain accessible and relevant to our usersf needs. That's it for now. Check back as we'll be posting updates as our project continues!
