| Broadcast area | Online |
|---|---|
| Slogan | "The soundtrack to your student life" |
| Frequency | formerly 1575 AM KHz,now online |
| First air date | 1983 as "URH" |
| Format | Student Radio |
| Power | N/A (Internet only) |
| Owner | Hull University Union |
| Website | ilovejamradio.co.uk |
JamRadio (formerly Jam 1575) is Hull University Union's student campus radio station broadcasting all year round. It previously broadcast on 1575 Medium Wave but now is an internet only radio station. It is a subcommittee of Hull University Union's Media and Marketing Committee. All presenters, DJs and executive committee are students. JamRadio is a member of the Student Radio Association.
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The radio station was set up in 1979 broadcasting on an induction loop system around halls of residence and through speakers situated within Hull University Union. In 1997, it became the first student radio station in the UK to broadcast on AM using a newly formulated Low Powered AM license (LPAM). Three other radio stations were awarded LPAMs by the Radio Authority (now Ofcom) at the same time (two hospital radio stations and one other student radio station) though Jam was the first. Bruce Davidson was the very first radio station manager. The radio station was licensed to broadcast to the campus, although the signal could "drift" further. The transmitter ran at a 1 Watt and is located in the loft area of the students union building, the mast is clearly visible on the roof.
Originally, a loop induction system was installed in the Lawns (a hall of residence at Hull University) as part of a third year project by a number of engineering students. By 1983 the loop induction system was operational. To cut costs, the students cut corners. To insulate the wire, instead of paying for expensive insulation they used Coca-Cola bottles. As a result of this, by 1993 the loop induction system was no longer functional. In 1994 the engineering team carried out a comprehensive survey of the underground induction loop system and were able to partially restore it to several of the Lawns halls as well as fitting a new transmitter to Ferens hall. This system was finally turned off in 1997 after the award of the LPAM licence.
The radio station has broadcast events around the university such as Student Question Time, a student version of the BBC series, as well as club nights from the union. The radio station's programming consists of mainstream music by day, tailored to the students listening in the union building, and specialist programming by night.
Until 1997, Jam 1575 was known as "URH" which stood for "University Radio Hull".
Since Autumn 2007 Jam became an Internet only radio station, broadcasting from its website ilovejamradio.co.uk.
In February 2010 the radio station was given union playout in the new Concourse Lounge via a playout system fitted by the current engineering team.
Jam 1575's home is situated towards the North of Hull, off Cottingham Road at the Students Union building on Salmon Grove. These premises were originally used as printing press, which is why such a large ventilation system was installed. This meant that on a night-time loud music from the bars below could be clearly heard whilst presenters were on air!
The radio station currently has two studios, one for production and the other being the main broadcast studio, these are separated by an office. When Jam was founded (as URH) there were just 2 large rooms - the first (front) was a large office, and the second (rear) was used as the single studio.
In the early 1990s the studio was split into two studios by Dave Walters and Scott Doak. Originally the pair planned to install a garden shed as a "booth", but changed their minds at the last minute resulting in the just a single partition being installed. Studio 1 was then switched with the office during the summer of 1996 as this was only room large enough to house a large piece of studio woodwork and an mixing console which was donated by the UKRD Group. For the first 6 months this new studio had nothing to separate it from the noise in the (then) main Union Reception area.
During Easter 1997 Peter Jarrett and Liam Burke constructed the studio/hallway wall creating the now infamous Jam Corridor. Ian Hennam glazed the window (which had remained unglazed due to a glass cutting incident) thereby finishing the job.
In the summer of 1997 Paula Giles successfully applied for the Low Power AM (LPAM) license from the Radio Authority and P Squared installed the extra audio equipment and transmission infrastructure required prior to the on-air launch in September.
Jam's two studios were finally refitted in January 2005, installing a Soundcraft broadcasting desk and a Behringer production desk. Jam had previously been unable to broadcast since 4 October 2004 due to severe technical difficulties. The radio station resumed broadcast on 31 January 2005.
Jam was the first radio station in the world to use the Myriad playout software. Liam Burke and Peter Jarrett now head the company P Squared, but began writing Myriad whilst at Jam because Hull University Union would not provide funding for a playout system. The very first version of Myriad was in fact called "URH". Peter and Liam were sat around a bottle of tequila late one night when the idea was floated, and Peter began coding it there and then. Dave Walters (at the time with Classic FM and now Technology Manager for Global Radio) was also instrumental in helping design the first versions. Jam also makes use of P Squared's Powerlog system to log all broadcast material for a period of at least 42 days in accordance with Ofcom guidelines. Myriad is now widely used across the globe by many commercial and independent local radio stations.
After Jam's relaunch as an internet only radio station in October 2007, the frequency of 1575 is no longer used and the transmitter was silenced.
In 2007 Jam acquired a new studio in the office directly outside the main studios. The decision was made to relocate the production room from the back office to there. This left Jam with two small offices separated by a temporary wall. Saf Suleyman (Station Manager December 2007-May 2008) took the decision to dismantle this wall creating a lager office behind the studio for the radio station exec and storage of equipment.
During summer 2009 refurbishments were made to the Main studio by Jon Lawley (Head of Engineering 2008-10) and Paul Smith (Head of Production 2009-10). These included the installation of a new carpet and the re-alignment of the studio desk. The previous layout was placed so that the two presenters faced the wall making it difficult for a third presenter or the ability to interview a guest. The old U shape was dismantled and re-assembled in the centre of the room allowing presenters to talk to guests across the desk. The presenters also now have a clear view through the window into the back office facilitating the performance of live bands.
Over the last few years Jam has 'left the studio' on a number of occasions to do outside broadcasting for special events. The radio station has been responsible for providing live coverage of a number of events, including union politics at union hustings, union election night and other community events such as the turning on of the Newland Avenue Christmas lights (now a yearly Jam tradition). Jam has also been known to broadcast live from presenters’ houses for other special events. These broadcasts rely heavily on the engineering and production teams to provide the technical setup and ensure a quality audio link to the studio.
Many of the jingles used on-air were produced by Sean Bell at NYPD, however between 1999 and 2001 all the idents were produced in-house using Mark Somers from Viking FM as the main voiceover. Afterthis period, the radio station's idents were recorded by independent voice artist by Mark Gale, one of the sweepers went "Blasting out one watt of pure jam power from the roof of your union to the radio in your room!", these idents were also edited in-house. Others, such as "Broadcasting to the city of Hull" were produced by an external company. In 2010, The jingles were all professionally re-recorded by jinglemasters, and all voiced by Thomas Ellis. Jam also has a number of celebrity idents, from Peter Andre through to Porky Pig!
Jam 1575 was asked to provide the DJs for "Hulls Busiest Student Night" by the University of Hull Athletic Union. "The Tower" night club was the original venue for this and used to open every Wednesday night for students. Various beverages including Lager & Cider would be sold for as little as 20 pence!! The Tower was a typical run down town centre club, the carpet would stick to your shoes and the sound system would often cut-out, yet it was packed every single week!
A selection of Jam 1575 presenters kept everyone entertained every week playing everything from Indie to House, although cheesy pop was the main crowd pleaser. Some of the DJ's on the weekly rota were: Ant Rouette a.k.a "The Man From Friday", Aaron Phillips, Mike Brown and Andy Brown a.k.a "DJ Ferby". However, in 2000 Hull City Council took the decision to close the Tower, rumour has it that a huge amount of Pigeon dung was found in the roof.
"The Tower Night" as it had now become known, moved across town to the "Po Na Na" Nightclub on Anne Street, and the Athletic Union went with them. The new night was called "Bubblegum" and lasted for 2 years again with Jam 1575 DJs at the helm. Unfortuanatly, Po Na Na was not popular with the students as they only sold cheap bottled alcopops rather than Draught beer.
After a £3.6 million make over the Students' union opened its own club called "The Asylum", and the AU were desperate to be part of it. DJ Ferby, who had recently ditched Jam, taking with him the deals and publicity, agreed to DJ. Efforts were made in 2003 and 2004 by presenters Jon Gibbins and Dave Pallett (former programme controller) to get Jam involved in a student night again at the Fez Club. Unfortunately, it was impossible to compete against the formidable Asylum at the University. It seems the temptation of "Snakey B" at 99p a pint probably had something to do with it! [1].
To this day, both The Tower & Po Na Na Nightclubs remain closed.
But the tradition of the AU Tower student night still lives on. Every Wednesday night The Tower is organised in the Union. It usually starts with students getting together in Sanctuary for a few drinks, then it moves on to Johny Mac and takes a full night blow in Asylum. Many AU teams organise club socials on a Wednesday Tower. Cheap draught beer is still an attraction with a special offer on Snakebite.
The HUU Media Awards are a joint venture of JamRadio's with Hullfire. The Awards were started as the exec committee's of JamRadio and Hullfire decided that they would like to show appreciation for their members. The Awards for Jam Members are:
Best Male
Best Female
Best Day Time Show
Best Specialist Show
Best Live Broadcast
Best Interview
Best Overall Section
Best Newcomer
Service to Jam
Best Contributor
Jam has sent delegates to the annual Student Radio Association Conference hosted each year in Easter for several years. Also JamRadio has participated in the Student Radio Chart Show twice and won a bronze award in 2009 for the show.
The HUU Volunteer Awards offer two awards for Jam Radio:
Best Show
Best Presenter
| Award | Winner 09/10 |
| Best Show | Importance of Being Potent |
| Best Presenter | Josh Turner |
Station Manager - Anthony Walker
Programme Controller - Jon Hall
Secretary Treasurer - Jade Turner
Head of Engineering - Lewis Harper
Head of Music - Nathan Dean
Head of Production - Scott Rhodes
Head of Promotions and Advertising - Alex Tatnall
Head of Events & Interviews -
| Position | 2008-2009 | 2009-2010 | 2010-2011 | 2011-2012 |
| Station Manager | Áine Murphy | Andrew Dames | Andrew Dames (to Oct 10) then Chris Boothroyd | Anthony Walker |
| Programme Controller | Tom Peel (to November) then Mark Falconer | Chris Boothroyd | Chris Boothroyd (to Oct 10) then Anthony Walker | Jon Hall |
| Secretary Treasurer | Dick Gray | Jon Hall | Jon Hall | Jade Turner |
| Head of Engineering | Jon Lawley | Jon Lawley | Adam Lathbury | Lewis Harper |
| Head of Music | Laura Allen (to November) then Oni Oz | Oni Oz (to January) then Ria Farrell | Steve White | Nathan Dean |
| Head of Production | Chris Atkin | Paul Smith | Luke Childs (Feb 11) then Scott Rhodes | Scott Rhodes |
| Head of Advertising & Promotion | n/a | Alison Best (to December) then Georgina Boswell | Georgina Boswell (to Jan 11) then Julia Corcoran | Alex Tatnall |
| Head of Events & Interviews (Non Exec Position) | Paul Edgeworth (to November) then Mark Payne | Mark Payne | Position Removed, then re-instated in Nov 10, then Taylor Smith | n/a |
| Head of Events | n/a | n/a | Ravi Mistry (to Oct 10) then position removed | n/a |
| Head of Interviews | n/a | n/a | Tom Sedgwick (to Nov 10) then position removed | n/a |
Changes in Executive positions 2008/2009
Secretary - Andrew Dames resigned from his position as a precursor to running for the vacated programme controller position on 26/11/08. However, following a review of the society's standing orders this position was merged with the position of treasurer creating the new role of secretary treasurer.
Programme Controller - Tommy 'TP' Peel resigned from the position of programme controller prompting an election on the 26th November 2008 which was won by Mark Falconer.
Head of Music - Laura Allen resigned from the position of Head of Music prompting an election which was won by Oni Ozuzu.
Head of Events - Mark Music-Payne gained the position of Head of Events following an election after the position had been vacated by Paul Edgeworth. However following a review of the society's standing orders this position was classified non-executive and renamed Events manager.
Changes in Executive positions 2009/2010
Head of Promotion and Advertising - Alison Best resigned from her position, which was then won by Georgina Boswell on 2/12/09.
Head of Music - Oni Oz resigned from his position, which was then won by Ria Farrell on 3/02/10.
Changes in Executive positions 2010/2011
Station Manager - Andrew Dames resigned due to leaving University, Chris Boothroyd won the position on 27/10/10.
Head of Events - Ravi Mistry resigned from his position. Taylor Smith won an election on 27/10/10. This position was then later merged.
Programme Controller - Chris Boothroyd resigned from his position due to running for the Station Manager position, which was then won by Anthony Walker 03/11/10.
Head of Interviews - Tom Sedgwick resigned from his position and then the positions of Head of Interviews and Head of Events were re-merged, Taylor Smith inherited the joint position due to his winning of the Head of Events position on 27/10/10
Head of Promotions and Advertising- Georgina Boswell resigned from her position. Julia Corcoran won an election on 09/02/11.
Head of Production- Luke Childs resigned from his position. Scott Rhodes won the election on 30/03/2011