Queens Radio
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| Queen's Radio | |
| Broadcast area | Belfast |
|---|---|
| First air date | 29 September 2003 |
| Frequency | 1134 MW and online |
| Format | Student Radio |
| Owner | Queen's University, Belfast |
Queen's Radio is an independent student radio station based out of Queen's University, Belfast, broadcasting both via 1134 MW, and online via www.queensradio.org.
[edit] History
Queen's Radio began broadcasting on 29 September 2003, initially over the Queen's University campus network and then the internet. In late 2005, the station was successful in acquiring a low-powered AM license, allowing it to broadcast to Queen's Elms Halls of Residence directly via Medium Wave. This service commenced on 6 February 2006.
Queen's Radio is operated by The Queen's University of Belfast Radio Club. The Radio Club was originally formed in 1953, making it two years older than student newspaper The Gown. The "old" Radio Club was a general purpose electronics, amateur radio and computer club. It provided facilities for students to pursue hobby interests in these areas and participated in amateur radio contests, etc. In the late 1990s the University evicted it from its premises in Fitzwilliam St and the club became almost dormant for several years.
In the year 2001/02 the Radio Club was taken over by a group of students with the intention of forming a broadcast radio station, and giving QUB students experience of all aspects of broadcast radio. After two years of acquiring equipment, building up membership and negotiating with the Students Union for premises, the station was ready to broadcast at the start of term in the 2003/04 year. The first live show was "The Lunchbox" presented by Ian Llewellyn, although a pilot show had already been recorded by Shane Horan before the summer break.
There was previously a temporary RSL FM radio station at Queen's University called "Fresh Air". This operated during the first week of term in the 1995/96 year and was hosted by Cool FM DJs and some students, including the now BBC Radio Ulster presenter/producer Donna Legge, Citybeat presenter Stuart Robinson and Downtown Radio DJ Lynda Cullan but was not set-up or run by students at Queen's.
Before Queen's Radio was set up in its current form, Queen's University had rejected a proposal from University staff to set up a station at Queen's- It was judged to be too expensive to set-up and maintain. Now it is considered to be a major draw to the University to prospective undergraduates.
[edit] Awards
In November 2005, the station was awarded the Gold Award for Best Technical Achievement for its computer-based Record of Transmission / Archiving system at the Student Radio Awards.
