Saint FM
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Saint FM is a radio station serving the Island of Saint Helena. The station's studios and administration offices are located in Association Hall, Main Street, Jamestown. It is the only independent radio station broadcasting on Saint Helena, and is also the island's only FM station.
The station also broadcasts via the Internet and is relayed by stations in Ascension Island and the Falkland Islands.
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[edit] Programmes
The majority of programming is music-based with a significant number of requests being played for islanders from relatives and friends overseas and vice-versa.
As befits the musical preference of the many Saint Helenians much country music is played, but most popular music styles from the last 50 years are featured.
Weekday daytime programmes are usually presented by station staff. In the evenings and at weekends most programmes are made by 'voluntary presenters' — who are not paid by the station. Overnight the station puts out continuous music from a computerised 'jukebox'.
'Local news' (which also includes events on Ascension Island and the Falkland Islands) is broadcast throughout the day. World news is broadcast at 8am and 10am GMT on weekdays only.
The programming style can best be described as 'informal'.
Many of the station's requests are placed by 'Saints' contacting relatives worldwide (request-line details are on the station's website).
[edit] Saint Helena Frequencies
Although Saint Helena is a small island its terrain is such that island-wide coverage requires more than one transmitter.
The main island transmitter is at High Knoll Fort, and radiates on 93.1 MHz. From this are also fed:
- a relay at The Flag, for the Levelwood area, opened July 2007, which operates on 95.1 MHz.
- a planned relay for the Blue Hill and Barren Ground area, to operate on 91.1 MHz from the Head 'O Wain TV transmitter site (expected March 2008).
The High Knoll Fort transmitter is itself fed from a transmitter located at the studios in Jamestown, which radiates on 106.7 MHz. This transmitter also provides a service in Jamestown.
[edit] History
Saint FM was the vision of the late Johnny Drummond, whose bequest provided the initial funding for the station. Talks about the new station began in August 2003 between Mr. Drummond and the current Station manager of Saint FM, Mike Olsson. Negotiations started soon afterwards and the broadcasting licence was issued on the 22 July 2004.
The station commenced test transmissions on the Internet on 28 September 2004, and on FM via a temporary aerial on 27 September 2004.
After three months of test transmissions Saint FM officially opened with scheduled broadcasts on 3 January 2005.
In June 2006 broadcasts commenced in Ascension Island on 91.4MHz, locally re-broadcast by VT Merlin Communications.
On 1 September 2006 Saint FM began broadcasting to Stanley on the Falkland Islands on 95.5MHz. The re-broadcast service is provided by KTV Ltd on the Falkland Islands under the title 'KTV Radio Nova Saint FM', and is being extended to cover residents in the vicinity of RAF Mount Pleasant.
[edit] FM DX
Because of its remoteness Saint FM is interested to hear from people who can receive the station at unusually long distances, for example in Africa or at sea, direct from its main 93.1 MHz FM transmitter on Saint Helena. If you have a report of reception beyond the normal service area please contact John Turner.
