FYI, this email sent out to the LPFM distribution group:

To: LPFM Group2
Subject: (fwd) Story in TDN: Tune in, turn on, get miffed -
20081014-One Christian Radio upsetting LPFM Broadcaster in New Plymouth
From: P R Shaw
Date: Tue, 14 Oct 2008 20:46:34 +1300

From the virtual pen of Society member Ray Mankelow, a reference to
this interesting article about an LPFM dispute in New Plymouth. It
appears to be quite a bitter dispute that is taking place there.

Article is at the link below; the text from the article is copied
after that.

The pertinent point amid all the rhetoric lies in these two paragraphs:

++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
"Ministry of Economic Development Radio Spectrum Management compliance
manager Chris Brennan said the terms of the low-powered FM licence
clearly stated there was no interference protection and two stations
could broadcast on exactly the same frequency if they wanted.

He said they tried to encourage a level of co-ordination among
stations, but that co-ordination appeared to have failed in New Plymouth."
++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

I pass this onto all you LPFM folk for your interest.


BRgds,
Peter

TSOLPFMBI Secretary
___________________

On Tue, 14 Oct 2008 15:18:49 +1300, "Ray Mankelow" wrote:

>http://www.stuff.co.nz/dailynews/4726091a6002.html
>



++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++


2008104-One Christian Radio upsetting LPFM Broadcaster in New Plymouth
======================================================================


Tune in, turn on, get miffed
By MATT RILKOFF matt.rilkoff@... - Taranaki Daily News |
Tuesday, 14 October 2008
Email a Friend | Printable View | Have Your Say
MIKE SCOTT

New Plymouth's Rose Proctor has two-stepped to easy-listening radio
station 106.7FM for almost three years, but can no longer tune into
the frequency, which is allegedly being overpowered by newly started
One Christian Radio on 106.9FM.
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Stormtroopers, threatening phone calls and a lovelorn pensioner all
feature prominently in an almighty battle around free radio
frequencies in New Plymouth.

The usually placid airwaves of the city's free low powered FM stations
have turned treacherous since One Christian Radio began pumping out
tunes in August on the 106.9FM frequency.

Denis Wadsworth says his low-powered station, 106.7FM, two "clicks"
away from 106.9, is being overpowered by the Christian broadcaster,
leaving his central city listeners with static where once they heard
his personally chosen tunes.

Mr Wadsworth says his Oriental St station has been broadcasting for
just over 2 1/2 years and was listened to by taxi drivers, rest home
residents and older people who appreciated the old style music and
absence of advertising.

"An old lady came up to me. She said I can't get your radio station
anymore because of those bloody Christians," said Mr Wadsworth.

He said if One Christian Radio changed its frequency to 107FM their
competing signals would not overpower each other but the new station
has refused to do so. "They can spread their good word. I don't give a
damn about that but these guys are acting more like stormtroopers than
disciples," Mr Wadsworth said.

One Christian Radio managing director James Cope said the Liardet St
station was doing nothing wrong or illegal by broadcasting on the
106.9 frequency, which had been chosen in accordance with expert
advice. "I was in HR (human resources) for 35 years. I do everything
by the book."

He said he was disappointed some people wanted to disrupt what he
described as a community station and claimed an anonymous phone call
by a hungover man proved Mr Wadsworth was out to get him.

"This is fact. He (Mr Wadsworth) said to guys over a bunch of beers
that we're going to find a way to bring down One Christian Radio."

He said other callers had questioned whether he was acting in a manner
befitting a Christian.

Mr Wadsworth said he was not responsible for what other people had
said and would never have condoned such phone calls.

However, he said he had passed Mr Cope's contact details on to some
disgruntled listen-ers.

Regardless of who is right in this CBD melee Liardet St pensioner Rose
Procter, 82, is having to do without American tenor and Hollywood hunk
Mario Lanza.

She says the now dead singer is the love of her life and the only
radio station on which she could hear his powerfully masculine voice
was on 106.7FM.

"I'm dead miserable," she said.

Ministry of Economic Development Radio Spectrum Management compliance
manager Chris Brennan said the terms of the low-powered FM licence
clearly stated there was no interference protection and two stations
could broadcast on exactly the same frequency if they wanted.

He said they tried to encourage a level of co-ordination among
stations, but that co-ordination appeared to have failed in New Plymouth.

------------------------------