Queen's Radio
 | |
| Broadcast area | South Belfast |
|---|---|
| Frequency | 1134 kHz (MW) |
| Programming | |
| Format | Student radio |
| Ownership | |
| Owner | Queen's University Belfast |
| History | |
First air date | 29 September 2003; Medium Wave:6 February 2006 |
| Links | |
| Website | www.queensradio.org |
Queen's Radio (or QR) is a student radio station based at Queen's University, Belfast, Northern Ireland, broadcasting on 1134 Mediumwave, and online streaming. Its studios are located in the Students' Union building, and the current station manager is Matt Hazely, who took over in early 2008. It is the only licensed student station broadcasting in Northern Ireland, and one of several on the island.
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 Halls of Residence (Elms Village) 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', which was originally formed in 1953, making it two years older than the independent student newspaper The Gown. The old Radio Club was a general purpose electronics, amateur radio and computer club, and 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 2001, 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 academic 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 (restricted service licence) FM radio station at Queen's called 'Fresh Air'. This operated during the first week of term in September 1995 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.
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.
Competition
In July 2007, Ofcom granted a restricted service FM licence licence to 'Belfast Student Radio' a new station which would cover the three main third level institutions across the city (Queen's, University of Ulster and Belfast Metropolitan College). The new station is headed by Darren Craig, a former Queen's Radio station manager, and stated that it would 'serve all of these students as well as the young people who work, reside or study in our vibrant city'.[1] The new station is due to be launched in 2008, and would go into direct competition with QR if both were to operate simultaneously.