The LPFM Cold War

There's a power struggle going on in the Auckland CBD radio spectrum.

Pay close attention, because like so many of these things, it gets complicated really quickly.

In New Zealand, anyone can operate a low power FM radio station, as long as they meet certain criteria laid down by the Ministry of Economic Development's Spectrum Management Group.

An explanation of the rules can be found here. There's also a discussion group and a directory of sorts.

Essentially, you can have your own radio station transmitting 500mW (half a Watt) on the guard band - that area of spectrum just outside where the full-power radio stations live.

“…they carry firearms and live for kicking in doors and seizing pirate transmitters. Our lot are somewhat more circumspect.”

Your station can be on 88.1, 88.2, 88.3, and 88.4 down the bottom end (88.5, 88.6 and 88.7 are also available once you get more than 120km from the Skytower, where Mai FM blast out 50,000W or thereabouts at 88.6FM in Auckland).

Up the top end of the dial, there's 106.7, 106.8, 106.9, 107.0, 107.1, 107.2, 107.3, 107.4, 107.5, 107.6 and 107.7FM.

Now, there are many reasons to set up an LPFM radio station.

It may be that you have legitimate social and political messages that don't get heard in the mainstream media.

It may be that you wish to provide an audience with access to the new genres of music untouched by the corporates.

It might be that there are no good stations out there that you want to listen to.

Perhaps there are local musicians and performers that don't have a place to play and be heard.

Perhaps you speak a language other than English.

It may be that you wish to make a huge profit by selling advertising (err... good luck with that, okay?).

Perhaps you just want something cool to name after yourself.

Whatever. Doesn't matter. You're allowed to do it.

Now, although it's a real science, the whole spectrum engineering thing, there's also a spot of black magic involved. Radio signals behave in unexpected ways. They bounce off buildings. They drift across the dial. Where I live, I can hear a radio station that's meant to be on one particular frequency more clearly on another nearby one.

Consequently, LPFM (Low Power FM) broadcasters want to have elbow room. If you're on 107.3, it would be preferable for all concerned if there was nobody in a 10km radius broadcasting on 107.2 or 107.4.

To your right, you'll see a list of current Auckland FM radio stations (and links to their websites). As you have a look down, you'll see a couple of new players, and a few people with no elbow room.

CBFM is a new station set up by Seeby Woodhouse, founding director of Orcon Internet. CBFM is playing what seems to be a computerised jukebox mix of Robbie Williams, The Bee Gees and other classic popular songs.

Base FM is also new. And look - it's on Up FM's old frequency. That's because George FM, who owned Up, were going to scrap the format and replace it with Manuel Bundy's special blend of hip hop, funk, soul and urban beats (the sound that is the new Base FM - fresh on the block this week).

However, Up's programme director, Jarra Borman, made a bid for it and did a deal for an undisclosed sum (I didn't ask and he didn't offer to tell me). He got everything but the frequency (you can't buy and sell the spectrum)... and most of the equipment. In other words, a DJ line-up, a client list and an established brand.

As he prepared to set up on the guard band frequency that Red FM had recently abandoned, Seeby came seemingly out of nowhere and planted his flag there. D'oh!

Meanwhile, Julia FM have moved from Parnell to the CBD. Apna (the Indian station) has a transmitter in the CBD. K FM broadcasts (unsurprisingly) from Karangahape Rd (K' Rd - heart of Auckland's nightclub district). Twisted is also in the CBD. Fleet, likewise. Static too.

As a result, Up FM has ended up uncomfortably sandwiched between 107.3 and 107.5. Julia, Up and Base all have a problem with that and understandably so. A solution is being sought around the boardroom table of an inner-city law firm. It's amicable and constructive - if a little tense. Other players are involved to attempt to find a way for us to all live together happily, amicably and/or profitably.

But what I don't get is why the Auckland CBD is so damn popular. Sure, a lot of people work in town, but the majority of these stations don't function on the level of 'at-work' listening. They're far better for personal time. At home.

For Up FM, that's probably Takapuna. For Base, it's probably Grey Lynn - or Manukau City.

The one exception to that is the one format that wants to make a business model out of catering to a super-served market, without providing any discernible point of difference.

CBFM would make for great office listening... except for the fact that the signal isn't going to successfully get into too many high-rise buildings. Besides, the people who like that music are already able to hear it just fine whenever they want to. It's not like there's a city-wide Phil Collins shortage.

Selling advertising on an LPFM 'Classic Hits meets Solid Gold meets ZM and the Edge' format isn't going to win any friends at the RBA (Radio Broadcasters Association) either.

But hey - that's just my personal opinion and I'd be more than happy for Seeby to prove me wrong. He's broadcasting on the frequency, so as the rules go, he gets to do with it what he wants, and good on him. Orcon, by all accounts, is a resounding success - so his track record's certainly in his favour (and way better than mine).

Still... if I was wanting to make money out of broadcasting, I'd be looking for the gap in the market.

Anyway - the only thing that's going to cause a problem for everyone is this: without reducing the spacing between stations to 100kHz, there are only effectively eight spaces for LPFM stations in the CBD.

There are nine organisations that have a station. All of them want a frequency. None of them want to experience coverage problems. Some are more established brands than others. Some have clients who have paid for advertising. Others are just hopeful.

Nine stations - eight viable frequencies.

With the resulting 'squeeze-in' - not to mention the occasional "whoops, did we go over our power limitation?" - there's interference, and it's starting to make people cross.

Here's what the rules say about interference:
Should interference occur... the chief executive reserves the right to require and ensure that any transmission... change frequency, reduce power or cease operation.

Spectrum Management have counterparts and equivalents in pretty much every country. In some European countries (okay... Germany) they carry firearms and live for kicking in doors and seizing pirate transmitters. Our lot are somewhat more circumspect. They prefer these sorts of disputes to be negotiated between key players in a cooperative fashion. If required to come out and do actual measurement of signals to ensure the regulations are being followed, they'll be looking for someone to invoice.

In other words: "Here are the rules. If you want us to come out and make sure you're following them, it's going to cost you."

Personally, I'm a little uncomfortable about LPFM stations operating as for-profit organisations, but there's nothing in the legislation that says they can't do that. For the record, you can still advertise on a not-for profit station, but we'd probably be talking about those uniquely well-meaning, community-focused stations you'd find in small towns if that stipulation was in there (though on that note, I have to say I love the Fleet FM model: a gold coin donation for a show on the radio).

I'm 100% in favour of a huge proliferation of LPFM stations. Every town should have a couple they can rally around. Localism in broadcasting was one of the casualties of deregulation.

Worms are all out of the can though, and people's investments and livelihoods - not to mention their passion and their loyalties - are now at stake. The only way to make it work is cooperatively and creatively. There may be some opportunities for joint venture - though on reflection, I kind of doubt it.

There may be some trade-off concessions. There may yet be open war. It remains to be seen.

Stay tuned.