Radio U wins FM race
Christchurch music lovers are likely to be able to tune into FM stereo radio from tomorrow.
Radio U 90FM, the student station, will be the first FM station in Christchurch. Anyone in the city with an FM receiver will be able to pick up its signal. The quality of the sound is expected to boost the station’s ratings, according to its manager, Mr Graeme Acton. Broadcasts, were expected to start from 9 a.m. tomorrow, provided a transmitter could be erected on top of the library at the University of Canterbury in time, he
said. Otherwise the station would start broadcasts early next week. For Radio U staff, the conversion to FM is a double celebration —the station has its tenth anniversary this year. An appeal by Radio Avon, which failed to gain an FM licence, may delay other FM stations from going to air in Christchurch until late this year.
A date has yet to be set for the appeal. Two other stations, Canterbury FM Broadcasting, Ltd, and Radio New Zealand’s 3ZM have been granted warrants.
The manager of Radio 3ZM, Mr Don Douglas,
said yesterday that tests on the station’s new FM transmitter were expected to be held next week. Mr Acton said listeners throughout Christchurch would pick up the Radio U broadcasts, although the signal could not be sent over hills. “There will be a vast improvement in the quality of the sound,” he said.
It was not much of a problem for the station to convert its equipment to FM, which was an. easier medium to work with. The Students’ Association had provided $50,009 towards the cost of conversion. Also, a limited number of commercials would be broadcast each
hour to cover costs. Mr Acton said that the station hoped to attract a variety of listeners, and not only students. Broadcasts during weekdays would be from 7 a.m. to 1 a.m., and from 9 a.m. to 1 a.m. at the week-ends. More jazz, blues, and classical music would be played, and news services improved. The station had a “hard core” staff of about 10,. but about 50 people were involved in total, said Mr Acton. Radio U’s switch to FM will complete a network
of university campusbased . stereo stations throughout New Zealand.
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Press, 15 February 1986, Page 1
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380Radio U wins FM race Press, 15 February 1986, Page 1
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