Martin Wynne
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In other news --
AM radio (amplitude modulation) was the traditional method of radio broadcasting for many years before the development of FM (frequency modulation). Which offered improved sound quality at the expense of requiring more troublesome domestic aerials.
The well-known 1215 kHz radio frequency (247 metres AM) was used in some UK areas by the BBC Light Programme until the launch of BBC Radio 1 in 1967. I remember the fuss that caused with some Light Programme listeners. 247m became the national home of BBC Radio 1 until 22 November 1978.
Then from 23 November 1978 until 28 February 1992, it was used by BBC Radio 3.
In more recent years the AM frequency and transmitters have had several owners, currently Bauer Media Group who were using it to transmit Absolute Radio nationally.
Earlier this month Bauer announced that all the remaining AM transmitters would be switched off and that it would stop broadcasting on AM from 20th January, making Absolute Radio a digital-only station. The station closed on AM at midnight on 20 January 2023 -- 8 years before Bauer's national licence expires and in contravention of their agreement with Ofcom, leaving them open to a financial penalty. AM broadcasting is power-hungry, so you can see in the present energy environment and with declining listeners on AM why they might prefer to risk the penalty.
The transmitters continued to broadcast a goodbye information loop until yesterday. Then 247m went silent for the first time in my lifetime and the transmitters are now cold.
Does it matter? Well probably not, nothing lasts for ever. But so many things disappear without anyone noticing that I thought I might mention it here.
Martin.
In other news --
AM radio (amplitude modulation) was the traditional method of radio broadcasting for many years before the development of FM (frequency modulation). Which offered improved sound quality at the expense of requiring more troublesome domestic aerials.
The well-known 1215 kHz radio frequency (247 metres AM) was used in some UK areas by the BBC Light Programme until the launch of BBC Radio 1 in 1967. I remember the fuss that caused with some Light Programme listeners. 247m became the national home of BBC Radio 1 until 22 November 1978.
Then from 23 November 1978 until 28 February 1992, it was used by BBC Radio 3.
In more recent years the AM frequency and transmitters have had several owners, currently Bauer Media Group who were using it to transmit Absolute Radio nationally.
Earlier this month Bauer announced that all the remaining AM transmitters would be switched off and that it would stop broadcasting on AM from 20th January, making Absolute Radio a digital-only station. The station closed on AM at midnight on 20 January 2023 -- 8 years before Bauer's national licence expires and in contravention of their agreement with Ofcom, leaving them open to a financial penalty. AM broadcasting is power-hungry, so you can see in the present energy environment and with declining listeners on AM why they might prefer to risk the penalty.
The transmitters continued to broadcast a goodbye information loop until yesterday. Then 247m went silent for the first time in my lifetime and the transmitters are now cold.
Does it matter? Well probably not, nothing lasts for ever. But so many things disappear without anyone noticing that I thought I might mention it here.
Martin.
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