Remote Recording Tips

Posted on 23rd April 2020 by Alan Byrne

Notes from the Remote Broadcast Q and A Session 4

5.00 pm – 6.00 pm

14^th May 2020

John Englishby, Dan Pope, Eimear O Kane, Brendan Coughlan, Cathal Cassidy, Alan Byrne, Cathal McCooey, Mary Rose Muckian, Philip O’Brien, Sean Callaghan and Padraig Quigley.

We will run a follow up on Thursday 21^st May 2020.

Programming

Congratulations to Dan on the quality and style of his recent AlphaBeats V show.

Comment about recording shows on Zoom – Mary Rose.

I find that conversation can be stilted and doesn’t flow when you are talking at a laptop or tablet/phone. The way to improve this is to use headphones and a microphone so the audio is more immediate and engaging.

Equipment/Software

Padraig told us how he upgraded a laptop by installing SSD RAM.

We are applying for a grant to buy some podcast kits for presenters, in the meantime a €25.00 USB mic will bring your audio up to the level we hope that everyone will have.

320 Kpbs is the highest wav quality and is the recommended setting for when you are saving a show and sending it in.

Eimear is acquiring a laptop:)

Editing

Thank you to Philip for his explanation of how he created a promo for the Alpha Beats Show using

backing music, recording his voice directly to the DAW and the AlphaBeats whisper file.

John gave a demonstration of the Joe Jackson Spotlight show he was working on and will organise to give Mary Rose a lesson on editing.

Community Call

Some presenters are interested in joining a team of researchers, presenters and editors for our COVID-19 Radio Series. Zoom meeting to be set up.

https://www.dundalkfm.com/covid-response-community-call-starting-in-may-2020/

Future Broadcasting Environment

8^th June is when we will resume regular broadcasting whilst maintain social distancing. Only presenters – no guests. Until then there is a roster on who is allowed in and for what duration

David Bellew will be at the studio some evenings to allow for zoom live broadcasts to take place.

Next Week

A guide to broadcasting from home by Padraig and a Reaper edit demo with John.

In the meantime a free radio playout software you might like to try is Zara.

You can download Zara here https://www.zarastudio.es/en/download.php

Notes from the Remote Broadcast Q and A Session 3

5.00 pm – 6.00 pm

7^th May 2020

John Englishby, Dan Pope, Eimear O Kane, Alan Byrne, Cathal McCooey, Philip O’Brien, David Bellew, Padraig Quigley and Mary Rose Muckian.

Advice on Sound Desks/PC/Laptop Microphones

If you are purchasing a new laptop then one with 16GB Ram with an i5 processor would be preferable for music editing and recording.
When connecting a USB mic you might have to set the input level to high to get the best quality.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ct5Z2921Bx4 – Zoom – How to record a separate audio file for each participant.

Free Online Voice Recorders

Alternative to Zoom Video Chat

https://hangouts.google.com/

Audio Editing Q and A

What is the difference in audio quality between Wav and mp3 format?

Wavs have a lossless quality are much bigger, by a factor of 10 and tend to be better quality and mp3s have a lossy quality and are sort of squashed down versions of the wav but still very good to most people ears.; Mp3s are transportable more easily over email so you have to use a different platform something like Dropbox or We transfer, what we call F. T. P. file transfer protocol to get the wav files to your recipient.
: When you copy a mp3 it will lose a generation of sound so it will lose quality every time.

For a great information guide, take a few minutes to review this Sound on Sound article about different file types, sizes and quality levels.https://www.soundonsound.com/techniques/what-data-compression-does-your-music
Most phones record in mp4 quality. This can be converted to mp3 using an online converter where you upload the mp4 file and then download the mp3 version.
Pre Records Timings – once the complete shows adds up to 50 minutes, there is leeway to have 27/23, 26/24 or 25/25 minutes.
Next Week: We will have a demo and Q & A on Audacity (Philip and John) and Reaper (David).

Programming

Spotlight – John is recording a Joe Jackson Spotlight.
We will run a 3 hour live music show on a Friday evening for a station fundraiser in a few weeks time.
Padraig will record a promo with Brendan for the 1957 show.
Slane Concert Series – Cathal will do a test run with Pat Byrne using Zoom.
The 100 Years of Music stings will be available to download on the show webpage.
A new one hour show was mentioned by Cathal and he is looking for takers – it’s called ‘5 degrees of separation’ – one song leads to the next, to the next, to the next….
Community Call is a new 24 part series. MaryRose, Eimear, Dan and Philip have expressed an interest in helping to research, present and edit the show. Another way to do the series would be to focus on the sports clubs in town.

RTE Doc on One – Presenters ChoiceOur documentary slot is at 9.00 am on Saturday and the programme is repeated at 5.00 pm on Sunday. If you want to pick a documentary from https://www.rte.ie/radio1/doconone/ and send in your choice, we will add it to the schedule.

	Choice	By Presenter
1	A Solemn Undertaking	Alan Byrne
2	Johnny Cashs Forgotten Tour of Ireland	Caoimhe O’Malley
3	Don’t Go Far	Paul Donnelly
4	Hidden Heroes of the Belfast Blitz	Donal Carroll
5	Women of the Revolution	Tara Mulholland
6	Prince at the Castle	Michael Murray
7	The Man from Tallahassee	John Englishby
8	Con Carey and the Twelve Apostles	John Hennessy
9	One day you’ll understand	Tony Banda
10	A Matter Of International Secrecy	Marissa Lucchesi

Notes from the Remote Broadcast Q and A Session 2

5.00 pm – 6.00 pm

30^th April 2020

John Englishby, Dan Pope, Eimear O Kane, Brendan Coughlan, Michael Dowdall, Cathal Cassidy, Alan Byrne, Cathal McCooey, Philip O’Brien, David Bellew, Sean Callaghan and Padraig Quigley.

Advice on Sound Desks/PC/Laptop Microphones

Sean has upgraded to a USB mic and Brendan is using a plug in Mic.
Dan has a Zoom H1 which he could use as a mic.
John has a USB mic and Mic arm.
David has a Behringer mic connected to a mixer.
Alan is using a Zoom H2 as a mic.
Padraig has a splitter cable so that he can route the headphone from a mobile into the desk using the FX return channel.
Andy has bought some equipment and is nearly set up to record at home.

Recording Show/ links with Zoom

Sean will record the Beaten Tracks show each week with David using Zoom.
Marian and Charles will record Health and Well Being via Zoom as two 22 minute shows and email them to David.
Fadó Fadó will broadcast live with Zoom at 6.00 pm on Monday 11^th May.

Audio Editing

If you want to learn Reaper – see David Bellew’s tutorial on the Dundalk FM youtube channel.

If you want to learn Dark Audacity, see Paula Healy’s tutorial on the Flirt FM (Galway’s student radio station) youtube channel.

100 Years of Music

https://www.dundalkfm.com/about-us/schedule/shows/100-years-of-music/

1998 – Dan will record and edit the show using Audacity.
1995 – Mary Rose will record links and David will edit the show.
1993 – Daniel Deery will do this show. John Englishby will record Daniel remotely and edit the show using Audacity.
1992 – Philip has recorded a show on Audacity and has sent it to the station by WeTransfer.
1972 – Cathal is going to prepare the script.
1971 – Eimear O’Kane will write the script and record using a Zoom recorder and send it to Padraig who will edit the show for broadcast.
1968 – Sean will record this show with David on Zoom.

1967 – David is working on this.
1951 – Brendan is working on the script. Padraig will record it with him using Zoom.
1944 – Alan has a show ready for broadcast.
If you know someone who would like to do a show, please let them know, I’d like to have 100 presenters, especially people who would like to join the station as a presenter in the future.
Shows completed so far are available to listen to anytime on our Mixcloud page.
https://www.mixcloud.com/DundalkFMMixcloud/

Alphabeats

https://www.dundalkfm.com/about-us/schedule/shows/alpha-beats/

V – Dan is working on the show and will have it ready to send in soon.
H – Philip has sent in a show for broadcast

Programming

Cathal Cassidy would like to revise the History of Cinema in Dundalk radio documentary and is interested in doing a Movies and Musicals show.
Cathal McCooey invites presenters to host a show in the Slane Concert series (2nd Saturday of the month from 2.00 pm to 4.00 pm) – Eimear is interested in this. He will follow up on his idea for a programme called ‘5 Degrees of Separation’.
Ready, Steady…Go by Zoom – 3 people, one hour, 10 questions, giggles, tales, opinions, wit and humour – (Eimear/Carole/Mary will do a show).
Odds and Sods April edition didn’t go out as advertised – we will check the this out for John.
Michael Dowdall suggestions
- Interviews – a friend from India living in Dundalk, a relative living in Edinburgh and a 96 year old man living in Dundalk.
- a Documentary about the beginning of radio technology.
- A poetry slot, a book club (talk to Eimear).

Notes from the Remote Broadcast Q and A Session 1

5.00 pm – 6.30 pm

23^rd April 2020

Tracey Hanby, Alan Byrne, Cathal McCooey, Philip O’Brien, Mary Rose Muckian, Pat Byrne, David Bellew, Sean Callaghan, Marian Del Duca and Padraig Quigley. Seoirse McCann was presenting the Drive Time show and unable to attend but we kept an mp3 file for reference. We will run a follow up on Thursday 30th April 2020 at 5.00 pm.

PC/Laptop Microphones

A plug-in mic and headphones or a headset are preferable to using the built-in mic on a laptop or PC, unless you will be on air for just a short interview. The two mics below, which were purchased locally, cost €28.00 and €5.00 respectively.

They connect via a mic/headphone splitter or by a USB adapter. Gaming headsets also provide a step up in the audio quality. A digital recorder such as a Zoom or Tascam can be used as a mic. When you plug it into the laptop/PC, choose to connect as an ‘audio input’ rather than ‘file transfer’. A tripod and windscreen are also essentials to complete your audio kit.

Recording Shows

Sean will record the Beaten Tracks show each week with David using Zoom.

Marian and Charles will record Health and Well Being via Zoom as two 22 minute shows and email them to David.

100 Years of Music – 60 names so far, 40 to go…

https://www.dundalkfm.com/about-us/schedule/shows/100-years-of-music/

2000 Tracey

1995 Mary Rose will record links on the phone (say a link, count to five silently, say the next link and so on….) and email them to David along with the list of songs.

1992 Philip

1968 Sean will record this show with David on Zoom.

1955 Pat has this completed and will send it in.

If you know someone who would like to do a show, please let them know, I’d like to have 100 presenters, especially people who would like to join the station as a presenter in the future.

Shows completed so far are available to listen to anytime on our Mixcloud page.

https://www.mixcloud.com/DundalkFMMixcloud/

Spotlight

Pat – one done and will send it in.

Examples where Zoom could be used as part of live programming

The Slane Concerts Show with Cathal in the Studio and Pat on Zoom (or in the Production Studio).

Lion’s Club – the sound quality of the pre-recorded show is very good. The show could be done live via Zoom as is the Brunch.

Joining Paddy to present on Good Morning Dundalk /Tracey.

Hosting a panel discussion on Town Talk.

Fadó Fadó is pre-recorded via Zoom.

The Brunch is broadcast live and had 2 guests from the Chamber of Commerce join them last week. One guest used a headset (approx €25 and the audio quality was very high). Some audio is better e.g. where presenters are using USB or plugin Mics.

Sound Desks

A small analogue sound desk (with 2 XLR inputs) starts around the €50.00 mark. A desk with faders (usually 4 XLR inputs) would start around €120.00.

Local stores that would source a Sound Desk, recorders, and other audio equipment are B Sharp and Audio Comm.

Audio Editing Software

Philip recorded an AlphaBeats show using Audacity which is free to download.

Pat uses Reaper (you can use the full version free, to evaluate it, the cost to buy is €60).

If you want to learn Reaper – see the tutorial on the Dundalk FM youtube channel.

https://www.youtube.com/user/dundalkfmradio

Sound Desk Accessories

Alongside a set of Headphones, a Mic, Mic Stand, and mic Windscreen, you will need some cables such as:

an XLR to connect your mic to the mixer,

a .5m or 1m RCA phono to jack lead with phono adapters to connect a laptop to the mixer,

a .5m or 1m 3.5 jack lead and adapter,

You might consider a Headphone Amplifier. This gives you the options to control the headphone level and take a feed out to an External USB Sound Card or Audio Interface which will give a better sound quality going into the streaming laptop.

Remote Broadcasting

You would need 1 x laptop to play out your music, ads, news, etc. You can download WinAmp for free. Another Free Radio Playout software used by many CR stations is Zara.

A mic, mic stand and pop shield.

An external sound card.

1 laptop which runs a small encoding programme that you download and type in the details for our server. A member of staff will run a series of tests with a presenter to ensure the audio and music levels are correct and that there is no buffering. A wired Ethernet cable connecting the router and laptop is advisable.

001

Broadcast Myself is an Android App (€3.09). Alan uses this app at away soccer matches to transmit the commentary and half time ads (saved as one file).

This evening’s chat was a chance for presenters who hadn’t met in person before to say hello. There was a wonderful sense of ‘we’re in this together’ which was demonstrated by being able to help colleagues with technical advice. I hope that you now have the confidence to try out the next step in remote recording and broadcasting – recording to a phone, recording on Zoom, audio editing, acquiring radio equipment and maybe someday – live remote broadcasting. For the kind words of appreciation for the support that you receive from staff, thank you.

Alan

Below you will find tutorials to help you record and edit programming from home.

How to record Links to your Smart Phone.
How to Edit a Radio Show at Home.

The first describes how to record links for a show with a Voice Recorder App, your Smart Phone, your script and a room with soft furnishings. You can then share the files to our staff. We will prepare the show for broadcast.

Recorded and edited by David Bellew with thanks to Tara Tine/ March 2020.

The real enjoyment starts when you start to edit, top and tail, fade in and out, normalise, increase and decrease the amplitude, the dynamics processing and filtering. This next tutorial will show you how to combine the links, songs and any intro, outros or stings and render it into an mp3 file.

In the next tutorial, you will learn advanced expert tips on EQ, Noise Removal and Compression using plug-ins.

Call for World Corespondents

Posted on 17th April 2020 by Alan Byrne

Notice to all members regarding COVID-19

Posted on 10th March 2020 by Alan Byrne

October 2020

Level 3 Precaution and Control Measures

We are reducing social contact at the station.

The Main Studio can accommodate 1 person at a time instead of 3. A second presenter could contribute from the Production Studio (Evenings & Weekends only).
Daytime, Evening and Weekend Self Operated Music Shows can continue as normal or a presenter can send in a pre-record/broadcast live remotely.

UNDER NO CIRCUMSTANCES SHOULD ANYONE ENTER THE STATION IF THEY (OR ANYONE THEY LIVE WITH OR HAVE CLOSE CONTACT WITH) HAVE COLD, COUGH, FLU SYMPTOMS OR ARE WAITING ON RESULTS FOR COVID-19 TEST.

WE WILL PUT ON A BACK UP OR ASK ANOTHER PRESENTER TO COVER THE SHOW.

Protecting fellow staff and volunteers from Covid-19

March 23^rd 2020

Presenters must only use a personal pop shield or bring in a pop sock to cover the mic.

There should be no more than one presenter in the studio at any time.

Based on what is currently known about the virus, spread from person-to-person happens most frequently among close contacts (within about 6 feet). This type of transmission occurs via respiratory droplets.
Current evidence suggests that novel coronavirus may remain viable for hours to days on surfaces made from a variety of materials. Cleaning of visibly dirty surfaces followed by disinfection is a best practice measure for prevention of COVID-19 and other viral respiratory illnesses in community settings.
Employers, employees and volunteers have duties of care – this means that they need to make sure that no harm is caused to each other or any other person by their actions or omissions.
Employees and volunteers should make sure that they do not pose a threat to the health and welfare of others in their workplace. You should not come to the studio if you have, or suspect you have, a contagious illness like coronavirus.
At a minimum, employees and volunteers should immediately notify the manager and your GP if they develop symptoms of COVID-19. Your GP will provide guidance on what actions need to be taken.

Employees MUST SIGN THE DAILY CLEANING SHEET with your initials and the time of cleaning/disinfectant.
Duties for the first employee when opening the offices in the morning.

Put on a pair of gloves.
Open outside doors and windows to increase air circulation in the area.
Wipe down all the door handles, bathroom area, telephones, computer screens, keyboards and mice, sound equipment and studio surfaces with anti bacterial surface wipes.
When you remove the gloves, dispose in the bin and wash your hands for at least 20 seconds with soap and water.

Cleaning refers to the removal of dirt and impurities, including germs, from surfaces. Cleaning alone does not kill germs. But by removing the germs, it decreases their number and therefore any risk of spreading infection. Surfaces should be cleaned using a detergent or soap and water prior to disinfection.

Disinfecting works by using chemicals to kill germs on surfaces. This process does not necessarily clean dirty surfaces or remove germs. But killing germs remaining on a surface after cleaning further reduces any risk of spreading infection.

Advice to all Members

10^th March 2020

If the station is closed down we will ask presenters to send in a show if they can or else we will play edited backups and work remotely.

Introduction
The safety and well-being of our members, staff and visitors is very important and we are monitoring advice provided by the Irish authorities – Department of Health, Department of Foreign Affairs and the HSE – regarding Coronavirus/COVID-19. We are adopting a policy of high-compliance and seek to adopt further measures to minimise the risks where it is appropriate to do so.

General Instructions.
In order to minimise the risk of the spread of COVID-19 at the station, at Outside Broadcast Events, meetings and training, you are asked to do the following:

Travel

If you or a member of your household is returning from any of the areas identified as high-risk by the HSE or the Department of Foreign Affairs; whether or not symptoms are evident, we request that you do not come into the station.

Notification

Please contact a member of staff immediately if you believe that a risk of transmission of the virus has arisen for any reason on Dundalk FM premises.

Hygiene

When at the station, events or meetings, please observe the personal hygiene recommendations.

Meticulous hand washing.
Covering coughs and sneezes in the correct manner to avoid the spread of infected water-droplets.
Safe disposal of used tissues and cleaning of infected surfaces.
Wipe the desk faders and desktops – wipes are provided in the studio.

Go to https://www2.hse.ie/conditions/coronavirus/coronavirus.html for up-to-date advice, description of symptoms, etc.

Cancellations
Dundalk FM may cancel live programming at short notice in order to avoid the risk of transmission of the disease. We will broadcast similar programmes where it is possible to do so. Also, please notify us in advance of non-attendance due to COVID-19 concerns so that we can put on alternative programming.

Dundalk FM will endeavour to keep you up to date and ask you to follow public health guidelines at all times.

Thank you for your co-operation.

Alan Byrne

Manager

UNESCO World Radio Day is on Thursday 13th February

Posted on 12th February 2020 by Alan Byrne

To mark World Radio Day, Hugh McKitterick, David Larkin, Gerry Campbell and Pat Byrne from the Dundalk Lion’s Club – At Your Service show (Thursday 8pm – 9pm) spoke to Station Manager Alan Byrne about the meaning of the day. They talked about UNESCO’s message of diversity in the editorial team, news service, programming and operations and how this is something that the station is aware of and is determined to support. A special word of thanks goes to recent radio trainee John Johansson from Sweden who asked his work colleagues to record Happy World Radio Day in their first language.

Radio can shape a society’s experience of diversity, stand as an arena for all voices to speak out, be represented and heard. Radio stations should serve diverse communities, offering a wide variety of programs, viewpoints and content, and reflect the diversity of audiences in their organizations and operations.

Dundalk FM are running two radio courses that aim to bring the people living in our town together to record programmes about our community, health, lifestyle, sports, food, new technology, the environment and music. If you would like to join in with our new group of radio volunteers contact Marissa Lucchesi talk@dundalkfm.com or ring 042 939 5100.

Many thanks to John Johansson, a recent radio trainee who recorded some of his colleagues saying ‘Happy World Radio Day’ in their first language and also in English.

See how many of the languages you can identify (there are 7).

GE2020 Guidelines for Dundalk FM Presenters

Posted on 21st January 2020 by Alan Byrne

Dundalk FM General Election 2020 Guidelines for Presenters

The BAI Guidelines will apply from 16^th January 2020 until the closing of polling stations on 8^th February 2020.

The main points of Rule 27 to consider are

All presenters will be made aware that news and current affairs is presented in a fair and impartial manner without any expression of the broadcaster’s own views.
Broadcast content must not display bias in favour of, or against, any election interest, including parties or candidates.
Endorsements on-air by a broadcaster of election interests, including candidates or parties are not permitted.
It is not appropriate for persons involved with election interests to present programmes during the election campaign period.
Comments made off line have the potential to undermine the perceived impartiality of our coverage.

Advertising

We do not advertise election events, notices regarding meetings or other events being organised by election interests either as paid ads or Community Notices.

Advice

Advice may be sought anytime via election@bai.ie or by phone 01 644 1200.

Background Information

A folder entitled ‘Election 2020 ‘ has been created in the E Drive. It contains the BAI Guidelines and a record of our coverage.

Communications

This document will be displayed in the Reception, Production Studio, Main Studio and Canteen area and volunteers and staff will be sent a link to the documents which will be saved to our website.

Complaints

Complaints will be handled according to our Complaints Code which is available on www.dundalkfm.com.

Conflict of Interest

Staff and volunteers will be asked if they have a conflict of interest. This means that if you are canvassing or promoting a candidate (even online) then it is advisable to stand down from programming until after the election. The Programme Committee will decide on a case by case basis on appropriate arrangements.

Moratorium

The Dundalk FM moratorium is from 10am on Friday 7^th February 2020 until 10pm on Saturday 8^th February 2020.

Opinion Polls

A presenter must give information such as the date the poll was taken, who commissioned and paid for the poll, who conducted it and the number of people polled.

Party Political Broadcasts

Dundalk FM will not transmit any party political broadcasts.

Programming

Election Coverage will feature as part of our Current Affairs shows – Town Talk (Marissa Lucchesi) and on The Brunch (Cathal McCooey). Don’t cover the Election unless you run it by the manager or a member of staff in advance. A record of contributors, time on air, topics of conversations will be recorded on Running Orders and a Summary Sheet.

Social Media

Presenters should aim to become a trusted source of information. Post meaningful, respectful comments — in other words, please, no spam and no remarks that are off-topic or offensive.

Alpha Beats Series 3 Results and Broadcast Times

Posted on 10th January 2020 by Alan Byrne

Series 3

2020

Letter	Sundays	Time	Presenter
A	March 1^st	3.00 pm	Sean Callaghan
B	March 1^st	4.00 pm	Pat Byrne
C	March 8^th	3.00 pm	John Englishby
D	March 8^th	4.00 pm	Rory Moore
E	March 15^th	3.00 pm	Michael Murray
F	March 15^th	4.00 pm	Gerry Cunningham
G	March 22^nd	3.00 pm	Kathleen Marmion
H	March 22^nd	4.00 pm	Philip O Brien
I	March 29^th	3.00 pm	Charles Barker
J	March 29^th	4.00 pm	Donal Carroll & Margaret Hoey
K	April 5^th	3.00 pm	Mark Berkeley
L	April 5^th	4.00 pm	Geraldine Kieran
M	April 12^th	3.00 pm	Gussie Hearty
N	April 12^th	4.00 pm	David Bellew
O	April 19^th	3.00 pm	Tara Tine
P	April 19^th	4.00 pm	Carole Wardlaw & Eimear O Kane
Q	April 26^th	3.00 pm	Marian Del Duca
R	April 26^th	4.00 pm	Michael Dowdall
S	May 3^rd	3.00 pm	Pat Hamilton
T	May 3^rd	4.00 pm	Mary Rose Muckian
U	May 10^th	3.00 pm	Mike McMahon
V	May 10^th	4.00 pm	Dan Pope
W	May 17^t^h	3.00 pm	Roy Mackin
X	May 17^t^h	4.00 pm	Caroline Byrne
Y	May 24^th	3.00 pm	Mary Matthews
Z	May 24^th	4.00 pm	Dara Berkeley

Series 2

2019/2020

A	November 24^th	3.00 pm	Marissa Lucchesi
B	November 24^th	4.00 pm	Jason Kelly
C	tbc	3.00 pm	Peter Kavanagh
D	December 1^st	4.00 pm	Martin Trodden
E	December 8^th	3.00 pm	Rory Moore
F	tbc	4.00 pm	David Lessard
G	December 15^th	3.00 pm	Marian Del Duca
H	December 15^th	4.00 pm	Ciara Byrne
I	December 22^nd	3.00 pm	Robbie Rafferty
J	December 22^nd	4.00 pm	Betty Clarke
K	December 29^th	3.00 pm	Marian Del Duca
L	December 29^th	4.00 pm	Anita Guest
M	tbc	3.00pm	Ryan O Donnell
N	January 5^th	4.00 pm	Ger Cunningham
O	January 12^th	3.00 pm	Michael Dowdall
P	January 12^th	4.00 pm	Mark Corcoran
Q	January 19^th	3.00 pm	Mary Matthews / Eimear O Kane
R	January 19^th	4.00 pm	Alison Lennon
S	January 26^th	3.00 pm	Hugh McKitterick
T	January 26^th	4.00 pm	Gussie Hearty
U	February 2^nd	3.00 pm	John Murphy
V	February 2^nd	4.00 pm	Tom Gernon
W	February 9^th	3.00 pm	Caroline Hughes
X	February 9^th	4.00 pm	Brendan Coughlan
Y	February 16^th	3.00 pm	Richie Ford
Z	February 16^th	4.00 pm	Chris Clarke

Series 1

	Time	Community Radio Broadcaster	Presenter of
A	Aug 18^th 3.00 pm	KARL COLLINS	Karl is Rock Steady Rhythms DJ – every Tuesday evening between 7 and 9 and repeated on Saturdays at the same time.

B	Aug 18^th 4.00 pm	PAT HAMILTON	Pat was a Board Member for a number of years and is going to give us a musical education with his assigned letter.
C	Aug 25^th 3.00 pm	PHILIP O BRIEN	Philip also joined us on an over 50’s course and is a contributor to the Business Brunch, hosts the Monday edition of Town Talk and fills in on the Afternoon Show form time to time.
D	Aug 25^th 4.00 pm	MONA DALY	Mona joined us as part of a radio course for over 50’s a few years ago and is now a regular contributor to The Business Brunch.
E	Sept 1^st 3.00 pm	CAROLINE & EÓIN BYRNE	Caroline records voice overs for ads and documentaries and will be assisted by her 16 year old son.
F	Sept 1^st 4.00 pm	JOHN ENGLISHBY	John’s monthly show Odds and Sods is on the 1^st Saturday at 11pm and repeated the following Monday at 8pm. He is also a sound desk op for Outside Broadcasts and soccer matches.
G	Sept 8^th 3.00 pm	MARy ROSE MUCKIAN	Marian is our multi talented presenter of Health and Well Being Show, Dundalk Toastmasters and the Drive Time Show on Tuesdays.
H	Sept 8^th 4.00 pm	ALAN BYRNE	Alan is the Station Manager and his interests are in training new volunteers and making radio documentaries.
I	Sept 15^th 3.00 pm	SEAN CALLAGHAN	Long time presenter, Sean hosts The Beaten Tracks every Tuesday at 6pm and repeated on Saturday at 1pm.
J	Sept 15^th 4.00 pm	COLIN GOOSEY MCDONNELL	Saturday afternoon music is provided by Goosey on the first and third Saturday from 2pm with his Brilliant Music radio show.
K	Sept 22^nd 3.00 pm	DAVID LARKIN	David is a member of the Dundalk Lion’s Club – At your service programme on Thursdays at 8pm (now off for a Summer break) and he is starting his own Saturday night show. It’s on the 2^nd Saturday at 10pm.
L	Sept 22^nd 4.00 pm	CATHAL CASSIDY	Cathal is part of the Fadó Fadó Show (Monday at 6pm) and also on The Brunch which broadcast 10am on Saturdays.
M	Sept 29^th 3.00 pm	PAUL DONNELLY	Paul is a radio trainee and is interested in News production and programming.
N	Sept 29^th 4.00 pm	ANDY MCKENNA	Andy is new to Dundalk FM and has started a show called Saturday Night 80’s which is on the first Saturday at 10pm.
O	Oct 6^th 3.00 pm	DONAL CARROLL & MARGARET HOEY	We Rock Your World on the 3^rd Saturday at 11pm and Your Song which is on the 4^th Saturday at 11pm. Both shows are repeated on the following Monday at 8pm.
P	Oct 6^th 4.00 pm	BILLY LYONS	Billy is our Weekend Duty Manager and we are assured that he has a very diverse taste in music.
Q	Oct 13^th 3.00 pm	DAVID BELLEW	David is the Evening Duty Manager and he helps presenters with recordings and editing work and hosts the Dundalk FC Soccer show Build up with Bellew on match nights.
R	Oct 13^th 4.00 pm	KERRY FEARON	Kerry completed her 2 day radio course in June and will soon begin an American Country programme called Roots and Boots.
S	Oct 20^th 3.00 pm	CAOIMHE O MALLEY	Caoimhe is a regular host our weekday morning current affairs show Town Talk.
T	Oct 20^th 4.00 pm	ORLA CRILLY	Orla did a Spotlight on the Sunshine Bar and you can hear her chat with players and fans before and after Dundalk FC matches on our Build up with Bellew programme.
U	Oct 27^th 3.00 pm	MIKE MCMAHON	Mike’s Music Express with Mike McMahon goes out every Saturday at 12 noon.
V	Oct 27^th 4.00 pm	AOIFE MULLEN	Aoife helped out with our Irish Language News Service and contributes to daytime shows.
W	Nov 3^rd 3.00 pm	PAT BYRNE	Town Talk presenter on Wednesday and Thursday and also contributor to the Dundalk Lions Club at your service on Thursday at 8pm.
X	Nov 3^rd 4.00 pm	CIARAN CALLAN	Ciaran is the Friday afternoon Drive Time (Friday at 4pm) presenter and has worked on many music, sports and Outside Broadcast programmes with Dundalk FM.
Y	Nov 10^th 3.00 pm	CATHAL MCCOOEY	Cathal joined us in February and is a regular presenter of Drive Time, works the sound desk for Fadó Fadó on Monday evening and a contributor to the Saturday Morning Current Affairs show – The Business Brunch.
Z	Nov 10^th 4.00 pm	DAN POPE	Dan joined us in February this year and this is his first programme for the station.

The Alpha Beats Draw took place on 12^th July 2019

We asked for twenty six of our community radio broadcasters at the station to put their name into the hat to do a one hour music show and to tell our listeners what they do at the station and when they joined us.

This is a show with a little difference, however, as each presenter will be given one letter of the alphabet and they will be asked to come up with 13 or 14 singers, songs or bands that begins with that letter.

1 Rule: No two songs by the same artist! & you get bonus points for Irish bands and musicians.

And we tried to have a fair balance between male and female presenters as you can see.