Its seems like Brett’s show on 2HD/2SM show is in “stereo” now on DAB. It is not at an audiophile level but at least something.
Any upgrades @gordo92 with the links?
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Fix their Digital Radio
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Sorry mate have not heard anything so not to sure, maybe Sat uplink now stereo??
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No worries. Just curious. Thought I heard a difference. It might be just me 
Sorry to hear about that marcus, been there about three to four years ago, I was getting all sorts of nasty stuff, even sites that I participated in that had NOTHING to do with radio, weird trollers would appear with the most nasty and insidious comments. As I was lobbying for a station narrowcasting for people with disabilities, the insults were starting to cut a bit close to home, and I had to let go. As I noted before, well in my case, life definitely had a sense of innocence before the internet, pre 1998 for me anyway
I have to build some rapport first and just try to talk with them, find out what their issues are. Don’t want to go charging in like a wounded bull. I know I’m eager, but with life experience comes a little discretion and prudency. 
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When? I’m 54 and it hasn’t happened yet!!! 
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I still put my foot into it, but at a certain point you learn to go a little slower, time to take in the space around you. It’s not an age thing, it’s just a feeling one gets over a protracted period. Don’t get me wrong, I’m definitely far from perfect, and I’ll most probably screw up at times in the future. At one time I found myself so eager to do stuff that maybe the energy was too much for some and I was pushing people away. Having such an attittude was exhausting and taxing on ones mind. But without getting too long winded, at a certain point in time one starts getting somewhat reserved, and it’s a feeling of being liberated, because when things don’t pann out as planned, there is always something else to look forward to.
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You sound like an absolute legend.
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After a big backflip… Just might have helped too.
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Marcus, can’t reach anyone at SM, I’ve sent you a PM, honestly the guy in chartge of the digi channels would only need to spare us a few minutes in setting things up.
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I’d love it if they some community radio people or just volunteers to run these digital channels within a guideline. Having people who love radio as a hobby and have the time it would be great to hear.
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That’s exactly what I’m trying to do, I have a number of contacts eager to program these channels on a voluntary basis, but no one at the station answers my communiques. I’m starting to get the feeling that the guy in charge of the digi channels runs them as a personal hobby, and Mr Bill seems to be okay with that. I’ve explained that they don’t have to make any financial outlay, they just have to give me a little time with a station employee to assist with configuring the program stream at my end, and the take up pull at their end.
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If they can’t be bothered they should just have 2SM at 128kbps and, if it’s allowed, give their remaining spectrum to WSFM 101.7/KIIS 106.5 who would actually use it.
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And have more of the same repeat repeat repeat repeat rotational rubbish? I don’t know, maybe not such a good idea, but you’re most probably on the money, and that’s ultimately where it’s going to go. There’s a lot to say about these guys, but I would like to give them the benefit of the doubt first before drawing my final conclusions on this 2SM BOG outfit.
The fact that the staff in charge of the spectrum haven’t replied already is rather telling, it’s not if the person responsible for the digi channels has to carry the equipment in a horse and cart all the way across Sydney to get us on to the spectrum, this is stuff that can be done in a jiffy in an open pc session, but that’s exactly what they making it sound like, as if that’s going to be a HUGE HUGE effort. It’s a simple as Optus or Telstra ringing me up to configure a new account.
We send a signal from our studio to the incoming stream equipment at 2SM, which than sends it off to the DAB+ multiplex. It’s really nothing more or less then that.
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While I can appreciate what you are offering to help them with and it is admirable can I just play devil’s advocate for moment and put myself in their shoes and despite the fact they are a bare bones sort of operation maybe they just don’t appreciate the offer of external assistance?
Although I do not work in the broadcast sector, I do work in a technology industry and I know where I would be filing offers of external help that landed in my email inbox.
It is nothing personal or a reflection of your background or experience but if they are not returning your calls or emails stuff them then! I am sure you are probably not the first person to offer assistance and will not be the last, as sad as it may sound let Bill run these zero rating stations into the ground!
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There is absolutely no way any broadcaster would agree to that without a commercial agreement in place, you paying them and you have the appropriate insurance in place. The digital spectrum is very valuable, and while SRN are barely making any use of it, that doesn’t mean they’ll give it away for free. What happens if you broadcast something that’s prohibited by the code? Who takes the fall? Hint: it wouldn’t be you. You might be a responsible person who wouldn’t do that, but how do they know, and how do they make sure without such agreements.
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Wile I admittedly think that expecting us to pay “THEM” is disappointing to disheartening, I kind of suspected the rest of what you noted might have been an issue to varying levels, and may have been worked through with some engagement. You have presented some food for thought, and maybe I was expressing my annoyance from their lack of response in a somewhat naive manner, but as much as it’s not quite what I wanted to hear, it clearly explains why I haven’t heard anything back, and may never will. As my father said long ago when I first tried getting into radio, even if you’d volunteered, it would be like trying to sell snow to the eskimos. Everything you’ve noted above completely flows with that sentiment, and you’re reply has definitely shined some extra wisdom on my insights.
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I think you’ll find if you offered to take it from their hands and paid them an airtime access fee (essentially what Kinderling do), they might be more willing to listen to you. You take all the risk and SRN gets some cash.
You would have full potential to brand and program it in a way you see fit without breaking broadcasting codes of practice. You would however need to invest in announcers (if applicable), promotions and a sales team. SRN would provide the access to spectrum and technical support.
The economic realities are if you’re hoping they’ll just let you come in and you get to program and brand it for free, I think you’re wasting your time.
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I have no idea who or what experience you have in broadcast, if any. Not the point of my reply. I do however, understand the frustration. The best advice I can offer you is to get a job in broadcast anywhere, usually in the country and grow your experience, knowledge, confidence and contacts.
Many these days expect, and some may, if you’re a reality TV person, score a cap city gig. However, if you’re looking for a career and longevity, nothing replaces the hard yards of learning the various roles within the broadcast industry from the ground up.
You seem creative and enthusiastic so, if you genuinely want a career in broadcast, even though jobs are scarce, don’t wait on job ads. Put together a competent genuine aircheck and short CV and knock on doors anywhere and everywhere in Australia.
Sell the stations on why, modestly, they should hire you. Persistence, usually pays off. Expect knock backs, be resilient, work hard and smart.
Who knows, one day you may be in a position to respond to someone in your situation now and open a door for them. It’s a wonderful industry that can at times, treat you like crap, but talent usually wins along with hard work and commitment. You never stop learning and improving.
Good luck, whatever your choice.
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I’d prefer to wait and see how some other “unrelated” life projects come off first, and if they bring in the cash, would prefer to just make them an offer to buy the spectrum outright, then I would most probably do some of my own programming, and act as an agent for anyone else wanting airtime. As noted above, I’d then get them to sign some agreements for relieving me of any risks of defamation, and other legal implications in association to the broadcasting act. Spose I could find out what the airtime access fee is, but it’ll be like renting, and it’s money down the hole in my opinion.
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