Tynedale FM
Tynedale FM is the call sign of Tynedale Community Radio based in Hexham in Northumberland. The project grew from concept in March 2008 to fruition later that year, thanks to dedicated volunteers who worked hard to put together the station for its first Trial Broadcast Ofcom RSL License 28 November 2008 to 24 December 2008 on 87.7 FM. A second RSL was in mid-2009.
Located in the former Gilesgate Swimming Pool, the station went from strength to strength, securing a second Trial(RSL)Broadcast in the Summer of 2009. Working practices became unsustainable due to the fact we were not granted a license, with a significant change of personnel shortly afterwards. A move was made to the Queens hall center in late 2010 where a studio was set up in the basement and streaming went on line via Sun FM. The studio although free was not practical and a move to a site in the now converted "Old swimming pool" of the grammar school now owed by the Hexham council was made. (This is at the top of the steps from "Marks and Spencers" car park). This being a more suitable building having 3 main rooms two small "Workshop/Interview" rooms and the heating plant. Equipment has not been installed as yet although there is a comprehensive alarm fitted it is felt better to hold the studio equipment safely for now. The transmitter site is being set up with both alarm and camera security and a mast has been made available for antenna mounting at the race course site about 1.5 miles to the South. OFCOM still have not after 4 years issued a license although application was made back in 2008 and several other groups in the meantime have been granted a community radio license. It looks like Hexham is not good enough to have a community radio station, (Are we to far North of the M25?)
The project continues, on a far reduced scale with members hoping OFCOM will grant a Community Radio license in mid-2012.
References
Application to OFCOM started back in 2008 and has been an ongoing request with no official reply as to the status of the application. Although contact with internal members of OFCOM can see no risen why a license can not be granted. As there is no conflict with frequencies or other stations in the area. There is no media, local news or public service information transmissions or bad weather and road condition warning transmissions for the area, the nearest local station being 20 Miles away and covering a specific ethnic group and 25 miles for the local BBC station giving no coverage of this area. In winter a snow and road report for the area would not only be helpful but could be life saving.
Location of the new transmitter site The South side of the Hexham Race course. 54°57′13″N 2°07′47″W
External links
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Coordinates: 54°58′24″N 2°06′18″W / 54.9734°N 2.1050°W