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FIP fund launched to get station on air
11:13pm Sunday 15th April 2007
Comments (18)The people behind a French radio station which gained a massive cult following in Sussex have vowed to get back on the air again.
Watchdogs from the Office of Communications (Ofcom) raided a home in Hanover which was re-broadcasting Paris-based FIP radio across Brighton, earlier this year.
A man, whose identity remains unknown but who lives in Hanover, had grown so smitten with the station while in France that he set up an antennae which would broadcast it across the city.
It attracted a diverse range of listeners from politicians to shopkeepers with its quirky music and lack of adverts and chat, and had prompted people to move house just so they could keep reception.
However, following a complaint, Ofcom took a dim view of the set up and confiscated the equipment, banning FIP from the air in Sussex.
Now locals are to show their support for the European station by raising money to get FIP back up and running.
Dave Mounfield, who runs the successful Vive La FIP tribute nights, told The Argus he hoped that the station will be back on the air in Brighton soon and has announced the intention start up a fighting fund to make it happen.
He said: "After seven years of continuous broadcasting purely for the listening pleasure of the Brighton people, for no financial gain, the powers that be have leant on the mysterious folk who make FIP happen in this groovy city.
"It has made Brighton that bit less of a groovy place to be - for the time being.
"We at Vive La FIP are appalled at this bit of cultural vandalism and judging by the response from the public so are all good, honest Brightonians."
Mr Mounfield announced plans for a new Vive La FIP tribute night, being held on April 26 at 9pm at The Hope, Queen's Road, Brighton.
The event is free but donations are being made welcome on the door, which will be pumped directly into the fighting fund to get FIP back on the air.
Will you back the fighting fund? Add your comments below.
Your Say YourThe Argus
jon, says...
4:46pm Mon 16 Apr 07
jon, Brighton says...
4:50pm Mon 16 Apr 07
jon, Brighton says...
4:55pm Mon 16 Apr 07
http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/5-Watt-FM-Radio-Transmitter-Wonderful-Black-Shell_W0QQitemZ230068954160QQihZ013QQcategoryZ4675QQcmdZViewItem
Helleanor, Baden Rd, Brighton says...
9:12pm Mon 16 Apr 07
bridget, says...
10:57pm Mon 16 Apr 07
R Stein, Midlands says...
3:36pm Tue 17 Apr 07
cecile, brighton says...
12:33pm Thu 19 Apr 07
I am planning to attend the night at Th e Hope on 26th April and would lobe to meet
Dave Mountfield.
Please don't give up FIP lovers!
Michael Kearney, London SW20 says...
2:42pm Mon 23 Apr 07
Michael Kearney, london SW20 says...
2:52pm Mon 23 Apr 07
"http://www.theargus.co.uk/news/localnews/display.var.1313165.0.0.php?act=complaint&cid=182271" - Copy and Paste if You want
Fip can still be listened to through its internet site www.radiofrance.fr/chaines/fip/endirect"
Didnt take long to find, so whats the problem, theyre not available on FM but they are on the internet. We all have to go digital soon any way dont we?
(- Me I work at night and tune in to World Service and Radio 4 (from 05.30) its all I can get on the car radio!)
Phil, Derbyshire says...
4:28pm Mon 23 Apr 07
http://www.radiofrance.fr/chaines/fip/endirect/
and click on 'ecouter'
Duncan Blinkhorn, Brighton - Elm Grove area says...
12:25am Thu 26 Apr 07
It's the only music station I know of that let's the music speak for itself.
I tune in via the internet now & then but that's not the same as carrying a portable radio round the house while doing chores - which FIP has always elevated to quality time.
I like the suggestion that Radio Reverb work out some deal with FIP for some of their air-time - otherwise any pirates out there have my full support and I'd happily put a tenner in a tin to support anything that puts FIP back on FM or come to that any legal fund to defend the good people that have brought FIP to us in Brighton over the years. 'Merci beaucoup!' to them.
Steve Lawless, Brighton says...
11:00am Thu 3 May 07
The point is that radio FIP offers something that no other British radio station does. If a re-liscencing fund it being set up where do I send my money?
Oliver Barron, Preston Park, Brighton says...
1:38pm Thu 7 Jun 07
stewart farquar, brighton says...
3:54pm Thu 13 Sep 07
Heike, Brighton says...
12:46pm Wed 26 Sep 07
Heike, Brighton says...
12:50pm Wed 26 Sep 07
jean, paris says...
5:07pm Tue 29 Jan 08
http://www.tv-radio.
com/station/fip_mp3/
fip_mp3-128k.m3u
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Michael, Brighton says...
8:25am Mon 16 Apr 07
1) if the fighting fund is to be used to pay the pirate fines then that will be nipped in the bud by court injunctions / jail / other preventative action by ofcom for those concerned in the station - that includes those who promote the station (argus editor take note). At the end of the day, it is the law that you must be licenced by Ofcom to broadcast on FM.
2) Is the fund going to be used to go legitmate? In which case you'll have fun proving to Ofcom there's a viable business model from maybe 1,000 people listening to a radio station with no way of making money nor any connection with the city in which it broadcasts. Your best bet would be to save money and pay Radio Reverb a massive amount of money to hire some of their airtime to broadcast FIP. They will never make money any other way so may be open to a conversation as their initial funding runs out.
3) If you feel so passionate about this station, you'd best spend your £100 you'd put into your fighting fund into buying this kit which will allow you to legally listen to FIP on FM Radios in your house
http://www.maplin.co.uk/Module.aspx?ModuleNo=48737&TabID=1&source=1&doy=16m4
Satellite receiver in a suitcase £79.99
http://www.amazon.co.uk/Belkin-TuneCast-II-Transmitter-Players/dp/B000F37GOU
Belkin Tunecast FM transmitter - now licenced by Ofcom this allows you to listen to your Satellite sound around the house on FM radios.