Dear Editor,
We refer to a letter titled, ‘How can a radio listener pick up 102.5FM?’ (SN, June 15) signed by Leon Suseran. Your readers will know of the many interventions NCN has made in the press on the modernization of the state’s radio and television networks. We have always taken care to point out that we are working very hard every day to ensure that we deliver a strong reliable signal to as many Guyanese as possible.
Our work over the years involved the reorganization of the National Grid to ensure that the television signal is delivered along the coast from Corentyne to Charity, into the Pomeroon and south to Linden. No one can dispute that the quality of the signal has improved considerably.
The modernisation of radio has proceeded on a slower scale, due to financial constraints, but we have now been able to restore the three major radio signals, viz The Voice of Guyana (VOG), Radio Roraima and 98.1 Hot FM. The Voice of Guyana is broadcast on the medium wave on 560 and 700 AM, on the shortwave on 3.290 and on 102.5FM. Everyone along the coast, in most of the interior locations and some parts of Suriname should be able to hear VOG on 560 AM without any difficulty. The shortwave signal is heard internationally. We have received word from Europe, Africa, Australia and the USA, among other places, that the signal is clear. The main area of Mr Suseran’s concern is the FM band. One must understand that the various bands carry their own limitations. The medium and shortwave bands are used to cover vast distances over various terrains. The FM band functions much in the same way that the television signals work, covering a limited area depending on the terrain and the power of the transmitter; in the case of Guyana, approximately 50 miles along the coast at ground level. It would be possible to access our audio signal over the 50 mile range if a suitable antenna is used. To be able to extend the reach further it would be necessary to relay the signal much in the same way that we relay the television signal from Georgetown. This would entail the acquisition and installation of FM transmitters in New Amsterdam, Linden and Essequibo as well as the necessary relay systems at Drill and Long Creek. We have not reached the point in our modernization where this would be financially viable so we are still working on these improvements.
At this time the 98.1FM signal is available in the Berbice area. Our engineers have confirmed that they can pick up the signal on their vehicle radio as far as Corentyne. It is possible to receive the signal on your home radios also but that would entail connecting it to an antenna. The existing television antenna could be used to receive the FM signals. The AM and SW antennas may be available at your local electronics store but if not then you may check with Cultronics or one of the other stores in Georgetown.
In the meanwhile we are transmitting on an FM frequency at Radio Piawomak. To get our signal to that interior location we use our streaming video which is available on our website at www.ncnguyana.com It is really very simple to access the streams; just click on streaming radio and select Hot FM or VOG . To access the six o’clock news just click on streaming TV. Our technical staff has interacted with Mr Suseran on many occasions to explain these routines and facilitate access to our streams. I have personally accessed the FM stream before writing this letter. The VOG stream is sometimes off, especially when we are broadcasting cricket as we do not purchase internet rights to international cricket matches. It is regrettable that Mr Suseran still insists that he “can hear other countries’ radio stations in digital quality sound but cannot hear our own.” I am sure Mr Suseran knows most of this.
I find it slightly disturbing when individuals who know better take umbrage with the quality work of others and openly criticize them simply because they have the means to do so. I have always said that we have built a corporate identity here at NCN which is founded on the principle of hard work and discipline. We do not wait on Mr Suseran to make plans and accomplish things as he has suggested in the past.
I am reminded of an incident in my youth which illustrates this mindset. I was on my way to visit a prominent businessman on Sussex Street. His house was at a corner and he had built a large wooden bridge across the Sussex Street canal. The bridge was over 100 feet and extended the entire length of his property. A group of beggars had taken up residence on the bridge and could be seen drinking and sleeping there at all hours of the day and night. I was so fascinated by the sight of these characters that I stepped into a large puddle of very sticky substance which clung for dear life to my yachting boots. I looked around and saw a standpipe and a wooden block where, in those days, people used to sit to beat their clothes. I did not want to go up the stairs with the stuff on my boots so I sat on the block and took off my boots. As I was about to turn on the pipe one of the beggars shouted out for all to hear, “Yu better wash out that shoe before you go upstairs.”
I have always been annoyed by those people who issue instructions for things that are being done when it is obvious for all to see they are already receiving the attention they deserve. On the other hand, I do acknowledge that we have an obligation to communicate with our citizens and share our knowledge for it is only with such exchanges that we can refine and improve our operations. In the final analysis, however, as Samuel Johnson said, “knowledge without integrity is dangerous and dreadful.”
Yours faithfully,
Mohamed Sattaur
Chief Executive Officer
NCN
