Cape Town-based Buck Broadcast has several major radio studio projects
already confirmed for 2013 in Africa, including Malawi, Zambia, Zimbabwe and
South Africa.
New projects for Buck Broadcast this year include two new FM radio stations in
South Africa featuring digital on air and production studios.
In addition, Buck Broadcast is involved in two digital FM radio studio upgrades in
South Africa; one new FM radio station in western Zambia featuring digital on air
and production studios and a FM transmission system; a high power FM upgrade
for a station in Malawi; two new community radio stations in Zimbabwe; and the
design and construction of a recording studio complex for Red Bull South Africa.
Matt Buck, the principal owner of Buck Broadast, says: “Several other projects
are in the quoting stages. Radio is certainly continuing to present itself as a
growing and powerful medium in Africa.’
He explains that the upsurge in establishing new radio stations in Africa is
attributable to the fact that many of these projects are funded internationally
and there are noticeable periods or trends where certain countries are assisted
by media development organisations. For example, this year will see major
USAID (United States Agency for International Development) support for the
Mozambique media sector and the company expects to provide levels of
technical consolation and assistance in that regard.
Technical requirements
Meeting standard technical requirements are a challenge to many broadcasters
due to budget constraints, and here experiences and technical options continue
to vary. Buck notes that as the push for studio digitisation budgets increase,
many stations have to generate additional investment to adopt this technology.
Computerisation of studios has also seen equipment budgets decrease when
compared to the older studio designs that incorporated DAT, MD and multiple
broadcast CD players.
“We advise new stations to go the digital route right through from the studio to
transmitter link to be prepared for any future regulation or standards. Future
proofing can avoid additional expense at a later stage and with careful
equipment, hardware and software selection we can still keep studio budgets
realistic,’ Buck says.
Throughout the years many rural community radio stations have shown a strong
liking for more robust equipment. For example, Buck Broadcast still receives
enquiries for the Soundcraft RM100 On Air console, which hasn’t changed for
almost 20 years and is a solid workhorse.
Urban stations with better IT / technological support are embracing the digital
revolution and utilising systems from AXIA and Wheatstone. Many stations opt
for more simplistic playout software with a buy-out option rather than the more
expensive and complex leased systems.
Training deficit
One of the major challenges in the African radio sector is that it still underserved
by professional training facilities. There is a noticeable shortage of technical
professionals with the required experience to adequately support community
radio, especially in rural areas. The commercial, state and national broadcasters
attract the lion’s share of broadcast professionals, as they can offer better
salaries than many community stations that are volunteer-driven.
Buck observes that training opportunities are improving as community
broadcasters are targeted for training by media development organisations. He
hopes to see an increase in training levels to meet the demands of the many
new community radio stations now being established.
Buck Broadcast works with local partners and freelance professionals to
overcome the logistical challenges of supporting many stations in different parts
of the continent. With localised technicians undertaking immediate technical
support and troubleshooting they can provide the detailed information or spare
parts required to solve any issues that arise.
They also utilise software applications such as Teamviewer and LogMeIn to carry
out remote trouble shooting of PC-based systems. Transmitters can be fitted
with GSM telemetry systems that notify of any failures or problems that develop
due to poor performance or environmental conditions.
Specific challenges
All projects present their own specific challenges whether they are technical or
logistical. This year Buck Broadcast is undertaking several major acoustic
construction contracts. Here, there are always challenges, as bulky specialised
materials have to be sourced and shipped to more remote areas as well as
securing local artisans who can assist with the building process.
Installation of FM transmission systems on remote sites requires extremely
detailed planning as nothing can be left behind once the crew departs for site. A
lot of time is spent planning to ensure that everything is considered in terms of
local site conditions. Buck’s advice is that it always pays to have some
contingency plan up your sleeve as local conditions can bring a few unexpected
surprises.
Based on current trends, the African community broadcast sector has vast
potential to grow and radio, in particular, still has a major part to play in
community development. Buck argues that there is no reason why every African
town should not have its own local community radio station. Though his company
has received several design requests for community television stations, this
sector is still in its infancy and will take several years to proliferate.
To conclude, he states that countries such as Zimbabwe (that have slowly
developed their independent media) will eventually “loosen up’, resulting in huge
growth in broadcast projects.
“All in all, the African broadcast sector offers huge employment potential for
many people while at the same time they play a vital role in ensuring democracy
and good governance,’ observes Buck.
