Stoke Mandeville Hospital Radio has been granted an FM licence and will start broadcasting on 87.7 this week.
The volunteer station has been using 1575AM since gaining a temporary AM broadcasting licence from the Radio Authority in 1997.
It will switch to FM at 2pm on 24th May.
Simon Daniels, Chairman and Station Engineer said: “This is a major change to SMHR and we, the team of volunteers are absolutely delighted to have been granted the new FM frequency. With the fantastic help of the NHS Trust and supporting organisations and charities, we continue to strive to provide the best possible radio entertainment to our listeners”.
Mike Oxlade, Programme Controller and Trustee said: “The output of the station is fantastic, no show is the same, and now we can be heard in crystal clear FM quality around the hospital by staff, patients and visitors.
“Whilst we have had an app for several years, as well as our online stream, both of which were already bringing you the station in stereo, we are pleased our radio output has had an update and the sound quality will be fantastic whichever way people want to listen.
“The station is run entirely by volunteers who give up their time, skills and knowledge to bring entertainment to the hospital and we are always on the lookout for more volunteers to get involved.
“To celebrate the move to FM, the move will be linked to the national Local Radio Day, and a special day of live programmes is planned. The day starts with a breakfast show from 7am to 10am from our studio, then we move to the Royal Voluntary Services Café for a six hour live special broadcast which will include interviews with people from the NHS Trust as well as others around the café and hospital.
“The frequency move and the history of the station will be the big talking point around lunchtime, ready for the actual switch over at 2pm. Neil Macdonald Chief Executive of the Bucks Healthcare Trust will be there at the switchover and to help us celebrate the event, and Alan Dedicoat (voice of the national lottery balls) as well as Peter Dickson (talent show voice-over artist), will be there, and children book author Matt Brown will be visiting with a selection of his books.
“The broadcast will return to the studios at 4pm for an extended edition of the magazine show followed by our primetime weekday request show 8-10pm.
“Thanks to the NHS trust at Stoke Mandeville for their involvement in SMHR’s special day, and for the continued support to us providing entertainment to the patients, staff and visitors of the hospital.”
Posted on Wednesday, May 22nd, 2019 at 2:08 pm by Lee Price