1 0 March 1994
Norman McLeod
Had a letter for Tony White of CRMK the other day (thanks, Tony: I'll reply to you when I get back from holiday just before Easter).
He says: "I am a complete illiterate in technical matters...I find your technical talk useful, but even then sometimes hard going...is there a really basic book on radio for idiots like me that I could get from my local library...?"
I am not aware of a publication which I could recommend here. I have a need for such a thing myself: soon I am supposed to be starting to hold evening classes in such matters, and it would be useful to be able to point students in the direction of further reading matter once they've digested my notes.
The first thing I would say to anyone wanting to learn more about technicalities is - don't be afraid to ask your station engineer questions. While it is possible to be a perfectly good presenter or programme controller without any technical knowledge, anyone who aspires to a career further up the ladder will be seriously handicapped if they don't know what people are talking about when it comes to technology.
There are of course two aspects to the technical question, both of which I try to tackle in these pages. There are the nitty-gritty technical details of how things work and what might go wrong with them, and then there are the broader issues around new technology - digital radio, automated studios, satellite services and so on. What is the value and impact of such developments? What technology is most appropriate for what we are trying to do? Which systems do we want and which are of no use to us? How will new technology affect the radio industry?
I learnt what little I know first from reading magazines like Practical Wireless and Practical Electronics when I was at school in the sixties. And, of course, by taking gear apart and generally fiddling about with it. Although both these magazine titles still exist, Practical Wireless is exclusively now a radio ham's magazine, and most electronics magazines have precious little about broadcast radio in them.
So any tips to help readers like Tony would be appreciated. One day I will write the book myself, but in the meantime - ask questions, and hopefully you will get some answers which make sense to you. Don't be afraid to stop an engineer in mid-flow if he uses a term or expression you are not familiar with. There is no shame in ignorance, only in letting it lie.
If anyone wants to suggest a topic or question for discussion in these pages, please e-mail me at normac@fastnet.co.uk.
The latest edition of the CRA journal AirFlash is expected out at the end of March. It contains features on the Labour Party's policy on broadcasting (I didn't know they had one), an analysis of the failure of an Asian-backed group to obtain a Bradford licence and the way they were treated by the Radio Authority, and, I'm told, a piece by some Norman McLeod (who he?) on the 105 - 108 saga.
Messrs. Alice Soundtech have contingency plans to rewrite their advertisement which appears on the front page of this journal. See the bit at the bottom about 'over 300 new broadcasting licences..' Will it soon read 'nearly half-a-dozen new broadcasting licences...' if certain parties have their way?
Any readers wishing to comment on what I have said are welcome to call me on 01 273 684 172 or send e-mail to normac@fastnet.co.uk
Copyright NJ McLeod 1995