Dear Editor,
There seems to be a problem at NCN radio which has existed for quite some time now. It has become rather annoying to me, and I suppose to many other radio listeners. It has to do with the constant irregular, see-saw dropping and rising of the volume. For example, whenever a radio announcer/newscaster says, “Here is more from our reporter,” there is most times a drop in the volume, and when the reporter comes on s/he is barely audible. The same thing happens sometimes when ‘From word to word’ comes on. What makes this one a bit worse is that, apart from the recording being low, Dr Rovin Deodat drops his voice when ending, thus fading out some words so that one has to strain one’s ears to hear. The recent addition, ‘Health world’ with Stan Horn is great, but also suffers from the same fluctuation of volume/tone at times. ‘Revenue update’ and ‘Sports news’ in the mornings are often times no different, and I wonder how come this does not occur with the BBC news and ‘BBC Caribbean Report.’
Sometimes the volume gets so low it is almost like a sign-off – for as long as twenty minutes there is just rumbling. Now the complete opposite happens on the early morning devotional section when the Islamic prayer comes on disgustingly loudly – I intend no disrespect – and this happens always, as it does with some others. The annoyance here is that those persons without a remote to operate their radio set are at a disadvantage, and have to be busy making adjustments. Believe me, this is an irritant and a turnoff.
To be sure that the problem was not with my radio, I pointed it out to two other Lindeners, who promptly agreed with me and expressed their annoyance also. They too thought that the fault was with their receiving sets.
Editor, I don’t see the above being a big problem that cannot be quickly rectified for the sake of good radio entertainment. I love radio, always have’ it’s great, there’s no stopping it. There is great satisfaction in the wide range of topics/subjects provided, not to mention the Atlantic-like expanse of music scrupulously selected for listening pleasure by slick announcers/hosts which takes you back, up and away in a world of ecstasy.
One last observation: the item ‘Your heritage,’ or ‘Your heritage and you,’ broadcast in the mornings, would gain more attention I think, if read with more zest and emphasis, and not in that dull, flat, lifeless manner.
Finally, may I take this opportunity to applaud and say thanks to Julie Lewis for her wonderful programme, ‘Reach out and touch,’ Franklyn Langhorne for his ‘Triple M show’ and Ron Robinson for ‘Ron’s rendezvous.’ These are excellently done without many hitches.
Yours faithfully,
Frank Fyffe
Editor’s note
We are sending a copy of this letter to Mr Mohamed Sattaur, the CEO of NCN for any comment he might wish to make.
