RTV Theory and Practice - Special Issue

К. Dean Stephens,

Amoz Gibson Centre, Puerto Rico

NEW RADIO TECHNOLOGIES AND MODELS

ABSTRACT Broadcast radio is going through a period of rapiđ change V/idespread syndication , netvvorKing and a general trend toward commonalt/ have significantly altered programming in recent уеагз , of ten causing the demise of local creativity . Will community radio be swept asiđe , or can new mođels rise to the challenge? In the developing world , millions of rural and village dwellers have tittle hope of access to electric mains and other basic utilities, muchtheless to local radio . Can new technology bring them low cost, епегду -independent village radio stations? In some countries , AM broađcasters are fighting for their survival as technicalty superior гм takes an ever-increasing share of the audience . Can AM radio remain a viable medium into the twenty-first century? To all of these guestions , the answer is affirmative . Examples abound : seven Baha'i radio stations bn three contments have achieved immense popularity by sharing folkloric music and programming of interest with the people they serve . Staff members come from the region, and the announcers speak its languages on the air . Епегду-indepenđent village radio stations are available for as little as US$lOOO. complete with table-top studio, transmitter, antenna, solar panel, automotive battery and simple operating mstructions. A basic studio package includes mixer, cassette recorders , turntable , microphones and headphones . Higher power transmitters or adđitional studio items can be purchased , along with D.C. lighting and other options . As village stations multiply in an area, two-way and cellular commumcations mođela become possibie . New technologies will bring AM quality to a level competitive

231