Community Radio Q&A Facebook Group
The Community Radio Q&A Facebook page is available here and is an initiative of Technorama Incorporated, in conjunction with the CBAA.
The purpose of the group is to provide a forum where people involved in community broadcasting can ask questions, share answers, and support each other.
The group also has two other important purposes:
- To strengthen and consolidate our community.
- To provide a safe space for open and honest discussion.
These are the key reasons why the group is closed. This is not because we want discussion to be hidden from the rest of the world. It is so we can maintain visibility over how discussions take place, ensure members have identified their connection to the sector, and avoid anonymous or hidden participation. In other words, all our lurkers are known.
The group works best when discussion is open, honest, and unrestricted, especially when people need to share specific experiences. Members should be able to talk about pricing, value, positives, negatives, and whether something is suitable, without fear or favour.
For example:
Q: Has anyone used the XYZ CD player, and how did you find it?
A: We purchased five of them and they underperformed to the extent that we needed to change them all. The JKL function did not work, and the PQR knob repeatedly broke. The agent was not helpful and refused to support us or provide a refund. Not recommended.
Or:
Q: What is the best way to set up a transmitter and link?
A: We used the Brand A PA and exciter pair, but for $20 more, why not use the Brand A PA with a Brand B exciter? The combination is excellent and your SNR will improve by 2dB. We are considering the changeover.
Joining the group
Click here to join the Community Radio Q&A Facebook group.
When applying to join, please make sure you answer the three membership questions.
If you have applied for access and have not been approved, check that you answered the questions. If everything appears to be in order but your request has still not been actioned, please email info@technorama.org.au. Facebook occasionally does strange things.
Group policy
To help open and useful conversations happen, the group follows these guidelines.
Everyone who asks, or is invited, to join the group is required to answer three questions:
- What is your involvement with community broadcasting, or any media?
- Describe your broadcast technology experience. This may be none, some, or a lot.
- What would you like to get from and do with the Q&A group? Active participation is welcome, and lurking is also OK.
Participation in the group means you accept the following principles:
- All opinions are valuable. Facts are even more valuable.
- Negative experiences are just as important as positive experiences, but both must be based on accurate reporting.
- Uncontrolled whining is discouraged and may be pruned.
- Vendors are encouraged to offer help, but not to spruik, advertise specific products, or engage in blatant marketing.
- Allegiances and conflicts of interest should be declared as part of an answer.
- If you think a responder, including an admin, needs recalibrating for any reason, do so gently. It may be better handled offline.
- Robust debate is good. Flaming is not.
- Anyone may ask for a commercial solution to a problem, such as a quote, but the commercial discussion must take place somewhere else.
Vendors and product discussions
Some vendors have asked whether it is acceptable to offer a product solution as part of a discussion. In general, the answer is yes.
However, this is not the place for a price list.
The discussion may be used to establish contact and, where appropriate, qualify the issue online. Commercial specifics should then be taken offline.
Open discussion, including discussion of negative experiences, benefits everyone, including vendors. A vendor may not want their product criticised in public, and there is no justification for unfair or careless denigration. However, if a product is genuinely performing badly, a smart vendor will want to know.
Reasoned praise and criticism help everyone. Praise gives vendors useful feedback, selling points, and references. Criticism brings issues into the open so they can be addressed.
The big rule
At the end of the day, be guided by the big rule:
Play fair, or go home.
Join now
Click here to join the Community Radio Q&A Facebook group.
Last updated: 13 June 2018
