[Imc-india] Fwd: Re: [cr-india] Community Radio in Orvakal

[Arun Mehta]

The members of indymedia should be interested in this discussion that is 
taking place on cr-india (cr = community radio). Vickram Crishna and I run 
Radiophony (www.radiophony.com), which was contracted to set up a radio 
station in a village in Andhra Pradesh. We put up something really low 
cost, low range, and now people are wondering about the legality of such a 
facility....

As discussed below, we intend to conduct workshops of schoolchildren, who 
will be taught how to assemble such a system -- it would be wonderful to 
find people willing to support this activity.
Arun Mehta
>Date: Sat, 21 Sep 2002 10:40:13 +0530
>To: cr-india@sarai.net
>From: Arun Mehta <arunlists@softhome.net>
>Subject: Re: [cr-india] Community Radio in Orvakal
>
>Just a small addition to what Vickram wrote -- the parts for the FM 
>"wireless content distributor" cost less than $5, and they are the kind 
>that are available in any town where radios and TVs can be repaired. Our 
>understanding is, that the Information and Broadcasting Minister has put 
>up before the cabinet a note seeking approval of community FM stations 
>based in educational institutions. As soon as this happens, we would like 
>to organise workshops for school children, in which they will be given the 
>parts, taught how to solder them together, then take the thing back to 
>school and run a station there.
>
>We also plan, real soon, to put the circuit diagram on our website. The 
>design is copyleft.
>Arun
>CTO, Radiophony, www.radiophony.com
>
>At 20-09-02, Vickram Crishna wrote:
>>At 10:51 AM +0530 20/09/2002, FREDERICK NORONHA wrote:
>>>Just a query -- doesn't Radiophony plan to develop technology that doesn't
>>>violate current laws? FN
>>
>>When we contracted to set up the station at Oravakal, we explored all the 
>>possible options. We tested the local cable network, and it gave adequate 
>>quality. However, it needed expansion of the network in order to reach 
>>all corners of the village, and also expansion of the local cablewallah's 
>>capacity, since his fairly rudimentary head-end did not have anything 
>>spare available. This implied a need to get involved with this private 
>>operation, some form of strategic or financial partnership, which became 
>>irrelevant when we proved that simply adding directional focus to the 
>>output end of the frequency conversion device was sufficient.
>>
>>The power output as Anshuman correctly states is about 40 mw (yes, that 
>>is milliwatt, so this is forty  thousandths of a watt). This power is 
>>what you use when you activate your remote car lock from about 20 meters 
>>with the whip antenna extended. If you put directional focus on your 
>>remote switch (which may make it a trifle difficult to tuck into your 
>>pocket) you will be able to operate your lock from 400 meters away. If 
>>you add a microphone, you may even be able to talk to your car (some 
>>people talk to  their flowers, after all).
>>
>>This is what we understand the law to be: completely blank on the subject 
>>of very low power radio frequency usage. However, as far as we know, 
>>there is no bar at all on remote locks. You can probably even carry your 
>>keys on board an aircraft. I have, showing them to the security guard.
>>
>>Some people express concerns (ad nauseam) about terrorists. One thing 
>>about the use of public frequencies: they are totally open to 
>>eavesdropping by anyone who has an ordinary FM receiver. Pretty useless 
>>for terrorists.
>>
>>I am not sure what Nischint meant when he said "current affairs", but I 
>>presume he means politics. It would be quite dreadful if villagers were 
>>not allowed to exchange timely information about market prices, 
>>availability of electricity, water and the like. But one step at a time. 
>>Let's get the village people producing programmes that they want to hear, 
>>and do not get from the other available FM service from the big town.
>>--
>>Vickram
>
>>> > We are starting a communiyt radio station in Orvakal village, Kurnool 
>>> dist,
>>> > Andhra Pradesh. The infrastructure was put in place by Radiophony. The
>>> > people are all very excited and are waiting for 'their' station to start.
>>> >
>>> > There have been a few problems however...goverment officials 
>>> inquiring into
>>> > the legality of the station. Its a tiny station as LPFM goes--40 miliwatt
>>> > transmiitter; Range= < 500 mtrs. The antenna is TV antenna cable and it
>>> > broadcasts at about 98 MHz.
>>> >
>>> > I was wondering whether anyone could help figure out the legalities
>>> > involved here. whether we could be prosecuted or shut down. Dr. Pavarala
>>> > (Hyderabad Univ.) says the law is very hazy on this. Any ideas where 
>>> we can
>>> > find out exactly what it says?
>>> >
>>> > We will most grateful for ANY help on the subject.
>>> >
>>> > Thank you all in advance...
>>> >
>>> > Anshuman.
>>
>>_____
>>Arun Mehta, New Delhi, India. Phone +91-11-6841172, 
>>6849103.  mehta@vsnl.com www.radiophony.com www.indataportal.com 
>>www.holisticit.com