BBC Bournemouth. Low audio level? - UK Vintage Radio Repair and Restoration Discussion Forum

hannahs radios · 21st Jan 2017, 10:41 pm

Hi, when I was playing with one of my radios the other day I noticed that the BBC from Bournemouth (Solent I think) on 1359 kc/s seemed to have a very low modulation level. Has anyone else noticed this? It wasn't anything to do with my radio as all other stations are fine. Also the carrier was its usual strength ie about an S9 plus a bit.

Marconi_MPT4 · 23rd Jan 2017, 6:00 pm

Hi,
Just checked using a Roberts R200 tuned to the 1359kHz broadcast from Fern Barrow in Bournemouth, there is a noticeable drop in modulation level compared with other adjacent stations. Subjective volume level is about half that of Talk Sport even with the ferrite aerial optimally set.

Useful to know as this radio has undergone complete refurbishment and realignment, so can't blame the equipment

Rich

Nuvistor · 23rd Jan 2017, 6:19 pm

Worth an email to the station manager, they like to know they have listeners. Seriously if it's a problem they will want to know.
Frank

hannahs radios · 23rd Jan 2017, 7:22 pm

I think I will try to phone or email them just to let them know. I'm not a listener as such, just tuned through while doing a bit of dusk DXing

Nuvistor · 23rd Jan 2017, 10:32 pm

It's always possible that they use less compression than other stations, still if you do contact them it would be interesting to know their reply, either a fault or intended behaviour .

Frank

colourking · 25th Jan 2017, 12:27 pm

The same thing (low modulation) happened for a lengthy period last year with one of the two MW transmitters of BBC Radio Cornwall - 657kHz 'Bodmin'. The other transmitter - 630kHz (Redruth) remained OK

hannahs radios · 25th Jan 2017, 8:10 pm

I phoned the station. I happened to have a little listen and the presenter gave out a phone number so I called and told them about the low mod. A bit later I tuned across again and they were louder but slightly distorted then again half our later back to the low mod again.

Nuvistor · 25th Jan 2017, 11:51 pm

They're working on it then, probably the station turned up the gain in the studio and overdrove a stage. The problem being elsewhere in the transmit chain.
Frank

hannahs radios · 28th Jan 2017, 8:30 pm

I will check again soon to see if it's been sorted. All the other stations from Fern Barrow are sounding normal so obvisually a BBC problem.

21st Jan 2017, 10:41 pm	#1
hannahs radios Hexode Join Date: Jan 2012 Location: Weymouth, Dorset, UK. Posts: 422	BBC Bournemouth. Low audio level? Hi, when I was playing with one of my radios the other day I noticed that the BBC from Bournemouth (Solent I think) on 1359 kc/s seemed to have a very low modulation level. Has anyone else noticed this? It wasn't anything to do with my radio as all other stations are fine. Also the carrier was its usual strength ie about an S9 plus a bit.

23rd Jan 2017, 6:00 pm	#2
Marconi_MPT4 Heptode Join Date: Mar 2011 Location: Dorset, UK. Posts: 522	Re: BBC Bournemouth. Low audio level? Hi, Just checked using a Roberts R200 tuned to the 1359kHz broadcast from Fern Barrow in Bournemouth, there is a noticeable drop in modulation level compared with other adjacent stations. Subjective volume level is about half that of Talk Sport even with the ferrite aerial optimally set. Useful to know as this radio has undergone complete refurbishment and realignment, so can't blame the equipment Rich __________________ To an optimist a glass is half full; a pessimist half empty; an engineer twice as big as need be!

23rd Jan 2017, 6:19 pm	#3
Nuvistor Dekatron Join Date: Aug 2013 Location: Wigan, Greater Manchester, UK. Posts: 9,433	Re: BBC Bournemouth. Low audio level? Worth an email to the station manager, they like to know they have listeners. Seriously if it's a problem they will want to know. Frank

23rd Jan 2017, 7:22 pm	#4
hannahs radios Hexode Join Date: Jan 2012 Location: Weymouth, Dorset, UK. Posts: 422	Re: BBC Bournemouth. Low audio level? I think I will try to phone or email them just to let them know. I'm not a listener as such, just tuned through while doing a bit of dusk DXing

23rd Jan 2017, 10:32 pm	#5
Nuvistor Dekatron Join Date: Aug 2013 Location: Wigan, Greater Manchester, UK. Posts: 9,433	Re: BBC Bournemouth. Low audio level? It's always possible that they use less compression than other stations, still if you do contact them it would be interesting to know their reply, either a fault or intended behaviour . Frank

25th Jan 2017, 12:27 pm	#6
colourking Pentode Join Date: Nov 2007 Location: Cork, Ireland Posts: 136	Re: BBC Bournemouth. Low audio level? The same thing (low modulation) happened for a lengthy period last year with one of the two MW transmitters of BBC Radio Cornwall - 657kHz 'Bodmin'. The other transmitter - 630kHz (Redruth) remained OK

25th Jan 2017, 8:10 pm	#7
hannahs radios Hexode Join Date: Jan 2012 Location: Weymouth, Dorset, UK. Posts: 422	Re: BBC Bournemouth. Low audio level? I phoned the station. I happened to have a little listen and the presenter gave out a phone number so I called and told them about the low mod. A bit later I tuned across again and they were louder but slightly distorted then again half our later back to the low mod again.

25th Jan 2017, 11:51 pm	#8
Nuvistor Dekatron Join Date: Aug 2013 Location: Wigan, Greater Manchester, UK. Posts: 9,433	Re: BBC Bournemouth. Low audio level? They're working on it then, probably the station turned up the gain in the studio and overdrove a stage. The problem being elsewhere in the transmit chain. Frank

28th Jan 2017, 8:30 pm	#9
hannahs radios Hexode Join Date: Jan 2012 Location: Weymouth, Dorset, UK. Posts: 422	Re: BBC Bournemouth. Low audio level? I will check again soon to see if it's been sorted. All the other stations from Fern Barrow are sounding normal so obvisually a BBC problem.