Tips for stations on how to make use of Australia's only truly interactive radio network!
Channel choices
Technical info
Getting the programs you want
Digital Delivery Network
Staying informed
Your responsibilities
CHANNEL CHOICES
The CRN sytem actually consists of four channel options:
Channel 14 CBAA [CRN] in stereo; plus
Channel 11 NIRS in stereo (National Indigenous Radio Service from the National
Indigenous Media Association of Australia -NIMAA);
Channel 12 RPHA (Radio for the Print Handicapped Australia).in mono;
Channel 13 BBC World Service in mono;
Your station can establish or change your channel choices at any time with permission from the service owner. You must then notify the CBAA, who are the network manager for all services. Contact Gerry Pine at NIRS, Richard Micalif at RPHA, or Michelle Rowland at the BBC for permission to use their service/s, and then request they email their permisssion to crn@cbaa.org.au The email should state the ACMA designated call sign of your station, the service name (channel) required and your Smart Card number. When we receive notices from you, we check and approve it for programming by the satellite uplink company.
If you were supplied with reception equipment by the CBF you must use some programming time from a community provided service (CBAA, RPHA or NIRS) every week. You cannot retain the equipment and use only the BBC.
Note that NIRS, RPHA
& BBC programs do not pass through CBAA and we don't keep their program
guides - please contact them directly for this info.
TECHNICAL INFO
For hints on how to best wire up the satellite service in your on-air and/or
production studios, CBAA member stations should contact our Technical Coordinator,
on the office line 02 93189624.
CRN broadcasts in stereo, and all our music programs and festivals are
in stereo. Some speech programs may be recorded in mono however in these cases
both left and right channels will broadcast the same mono signal.
GETTING THE PROGRAMS YOU WANT
We hope you'll use the CBAA channel to connect your listeners with the national
community of independent non-profit radio - augmenting your local programs
with the best from your fellow stations.
All programs on the CRN can be broadcast live or recorded and rebroadcast later. You can also use portions of programs on your station provided you credit the original program maker. For example some stations have their own environmental program but use interview segments or information from the environment program 'Earth Matters' on CRN to supplement their own program. You can request program makers to directly send you cue sheets each week detailing what is in the show.
Most program makers produce promos for their program which we broadcast in the CSA and Promos slot, as well as by request.
DIGITAL DELIVERY NETWORK (DDN)
The DDN is an enhancement to the CBAA satellite service. It means all programs broadcast on CRN now have an electronic
code which can be used to automatically capture programs you want. Over 140 stations have so far been granted computer equipment by the CBF, so that they can capture programs
or music tracks off the satellite this way. Under this
system your station needs to fill out a monthly web-based survey of which
programs you are taking, whether you wish to automatically record them or simply broadcast them live.
STAYING INFORMED
All subscriber stations' CRN/DDN officers are emailed a copy of the weekly CRN update. The current issue (click here) is always available on this
website. Watch out for program changes and special programs you might be interested
in.
Make sure you keep us up to date with the correct contact details.
THE PROGRAM GUIDE
The CRN Program Guide is mailed out quarterly.
You can also view or download printable versions here.
A slightly more detailed schedule is published on the DDN website where stations are asked to log in each month and select programs
TIMES: Note that all times on the guides are given in Eastern (Sydney) time
or Eastern Daylight Saving Time. Details of daylight saving changes are published
in the printed newsletter and on this website.
START TIMES AND INTROS: Unless otherwise shown, all programs start exactly
at the time shown - often preceded by a brief announcement and often ending
with the program name or outro theme.
PROGRAM CONTENT
As the actual broadcaster to the public, it's your responsibility to ensure
the material you carry is within the law and meets your policies. CBAA is
a bit like a postbox - we're sending it to stations, but all the decisions
remain in your program director or presenter's hands as to what to use and
how to use it. All program-makers are required by us to agree not to break
the law or contravene sector aims - but that doesn't remove your responsibility
to check these programs.
LOGGING AND COPYRIGHT
It's also your responsibility to log your on-air broadcasts as required by
law, whether from satellite or otherwise; and to complete music log sheets
or other procedures required to meet copyright or other broadcaster responsibilities.
We can provide contact numbers of program producers for more info.
SPONSORSHIP GUIDELINES
You need to make sure the total sponsorship content on your station - including
programs coming from the satellite - doesn't exceed the current legal limit.
We can put you in touch with program-maker stations or groups if you need
more info about sponsorship content of satellite programs.
"PIGGYBACKING"
You should NOT either receive CRN programs on relay from another station,
or provide access to your feed to others, without FIRST contacting the CBAA
and discussing it. In some circumstances we allow - even encourage - this.
But the rights of various parties need to be carefully considered first.
Don't forget - communication and feedback are the essence of a successful
network. Stay in touch!