Burst Radio
Encyclopedia
Bristol University Radio Station (BURST) is the radio station
run by students of the University of Bristol
, England. Its studios are located within the University of Bristol Union
building, and it broadcasts online. The station was initially known as BURST FM, but this name has now been dropped as the station no longer regularly broadcasts on FM
. The station is generally not on air overnight or during university vacations. The station is active on its facebook page and its twitter, @burstradio.
co-operated to run Fresh FM. After Fresh FM ceased to exist, BURST FM was conceived by Bristol University students in 1997. When sufficient funds had been raised, a one month licence to broadcast on 106.6 FM was awarded for March 1998. Housed in St Paul's Church in Clifton
.
However, the unavailability of further FM licences due to the launch of a new full time station (The Eagle, now renamed Star) prevented further broadcasts.
In early 2000 speakers were installed within the Union building, and broadcasts mounted for during Fresh (Bristol University's freshers' week) 2000. At the same time, a grant from the Alumni foundation and fundraising through advertising and sponsorship allowed BURST to build new studios inside the Union and stream programming onto the internet around campus
.
While all this was happening an application was made for a further FM licence for Autumn 2000, the subsequent award of this meant that BURST was back on 106.6 FM with a Restricted Service Licence
. An application was made for another one-month licence in Summer 2001. This licence was also awarded, as well as a subsequent one in November 2001. These broadcasts were promoted by club nights and attracted coverage in student and local press. In 2003, BURST began broadcasting via the internet permanently.
In 2005, a move was made to start broadcasting on AM. After preparation, broadcasting on 1134 AM began for the first time in October 2007, with a transmitter in Stoke Bishop. .
The start of AM broadcast coincided with new management and re-branding of the station. BURST went from an orange/ blue logo to a new orange/red/white colour scheme. This has now been replaced.
In September 7, the station made moved to update its studios and computer systems in advance of the new academic year and in preparation for the launch on AM. Under the flag of Project Excalibur, the on-air studio was refurbished and new IT equipment was installed. This culminated in a live broadcast with BBC 6 music.
Over Christmas 2007, the technical team revamped BURST's production studio, bringing it fully up to date with advances in technology since the station was founded, and in line with the changes in the next door on-air studio.
In 2008, the team launched the first ever student radio soap, The Arches, in collaboration with the student newspaper. A new union show was also launched. This was however cut short after a multiple computer meltdown in 2008 left Burst with no equipment or software.
The 2009/2010 academic year brought with it various studio-related technical problems, meaning that BURST Radio did not start airing again until January 2010.
Academic year 2010/2011 was a big year for BURST under the guidance of station manager Simon Burrow as the station rose from the ashes of the 2008 meltdown with program highlights such as the See You Next Tuesday show hosted by Sam Warley and Paddy von Behr.
. There is a secondary Production Studio which is mainly used for recording and editing sessions for both live music acts and speech. However, it can also be used as a backup live studio should the On-Air Studio be unavailable. There is also a set of toilet
s available for presenters and guests, as well as two cupboards, one used for general storage and the other as a server room
.
, BBC
presenters David Sheppard
and Chris Cox
, Classic FM
's Nicola Bonn, Theofanis Gekas
, GWR Bristol breakfast host Paris Troy
and hip hop show Vanilla Extract, with presenters Charles Lindsay-Fynn and Hamish Ballie who run Burst's most popular show to date.
Radio station
Radio broadcasting is a one-way wireless transmission over radio waves intended to reach a wide audience. Stations can be linked in radio networks to broadcast a common radio format, either in broadcast syndication or simulcast or both...
run by students of the University of Bristol
University of Bristol
The University of Bristol is a public research university located in Bristol, United Kingdom. One of the so-called "red brick" universities, it received its Royal Charter in 1909, although its predecessor institution, University College, Bristol, had been in existence since 1876.The University is...
, England. Its studios are located within the University of Bristol Union
University of Bristol Union
BURST or Bristol University Radio Station is a student-run radio station, based in the University of Bristol broadcast online from the university's student union building, and occasionally via FM with a Restricted Service Licence. The station also holds an AM licence, and plans to begin...
building, and it broadcasts online. The station was initially known as BURST FM, but this name has now been dropped as the station no longer regularly broadcasts on FM
FM broadcasting
FM broadcasting is a broadcasting technology pioneered by Edwin Howard Armstrong which uses frequency modulation to provide high-fidelity sound over broadcast radio. The term "FM band" describes the "frequency band in which FM is used for broadcasting"...
. The station is generally not on air overnight or during university vacations. The station is active on its facebook page and its twitter, @burstradio.
History of BURST
In 1995, students from Bristol University and the University of the West of England (UWE)University of the West of England
The University of the West of England is a university based in the English city of Bristol. Its main campus is at Frenchay, about five miles north of the city centre...
co-operated to run Fresh FM. After Fresh FM ceased to exist, BURST FM was conceived by Bristol University students in 1997. When sufficient funds had been raised, a one month licence to broadcast on 106.6 FM was awarded for March 1998. Housed in St Paul's Church in Clifton
Clifton, Bristol
Clifton is a suburb of the City of Bristol in England, and the name of both one of the city's thirty-five council wards. The Clifton ward also includes the areas of Cliftonwood and Hotwells...
.
However, the unavailability of further FM licences due to the launch of a new full time station (The Eagle, now renamed Star) prevented further broadcasts.
In early 2000 speakers were installed within the Union building, and broadcasts mounted for during Fresh (Bristol University's freshers' week) 2000. At the same time, a grant from the Alumni foundation and fundraising through advertising and sponsorship allowed BURST to build new studios inside the Union and stream programming onto the internet around campus
Campus
A campus is traditionally the land on which a college or university and related institutional buildings are situated. Usually a campus includes libraries, lecture halls, residence halls and park-like settings...
.
While all this was happening an application was made for a further FM licence for Autumn 2000, the subsequent award of this meant that BURST was back on 106.6 FM with a Restricted Service Licence
Restricted Service Licence
A UK Restricted Service Licence , is typically granted to radio stations and television stations broadcasting within the UK to serve a local community or a special event...
. An application was made for another one-month licence in Summer 2001. This licence was also awarded, as well as a subsequent one in November 2001. These broadcasts were promoted by club nights and attracted coverage in student and local press. In 2003, BURST began broadcasting via the internet permanently.
In 2005, a move was made to start broadcasting on AM. After preparation, broadcasting on 1134 AM began for the first time in October 2007, with a transmitter in Stoke Bishop. .
The start of AM broadcast coincided with new management and re-branding of the station. BURST went from an orange/ blue logo to a new orange/red/white colour scheme. This has now been replaced.
In September 7, the station made moved to update its studios and computer systems in advance of the new academic year and in preparation for the launch on AM. Under the flag of Project Excalibur, the on-air studio was refurbished and new IT equipment was installed. This culminated in a live broadcast with BBC 6 music.
Over Christmas 2007, the technical team revamped BURST's production studio, bringing it fully up to date with advances in technology since the station was founded, and in line with the changes in the next door on-air studio.
In 2008, the team launched the first ever student radio soap, The Arches, in collaboration with the student newspaper. A new union show was also launched. This was however cut short after a multiple computer meltdown in 2008 left Burst with no equipment or software.
The 2009/2010 academic year brought with it various studio-related technical problems, meaning that BURST Radio did not start airing again until January 2010.
Academic year 2010/2011 was a big year for BURST under the guidance of station manager Simon Burrow as the station rose from the ashes of the 2008 meltdown with program highlights such as the See You Next Tuesday show hosted by Sam Warley and Paddy von Behr.
Facilities
The station's facilities consist of the On-Air Studio from which most programmes are presented, also containing the station's webcamWebcam
A webcam is a video camera that feeds its images in real time to a computer or computer network, often via USB, ethernet, or Wi-Fi.Their most popular use is the establishment of video links, permitting computers to act as videophones or videoconference stations. This common use as a video camera...
. There is a secondary Production Studio which is mainly used for recording and editing sessions for both live music acts and speech. However, it can also be used as a backup live studio should the On-Air Studio be unavailable. There is also a set of toilet
Toilet
A toilet is a sanitation fixture used primarily for the disposal of human excrement, often found in a small room referred to as a toilet/bathroom/lavatory...
s available for presenters and guests, as well as two cupboards, one used for general storage and the other as a server room
Server room
A server room is a room that houses mainly computer servers. In information technology circles, the term is generally used for smaller arrangements of servers; larger groups of servers are housed in data centers...
.
Notable Persons
Notable former broadcasters include the comedian Marcus BrigstockeMarcus Brigstocke
Marcus Alexander Brigstocke is an English comedian, actor and satirist who has worked extensively in stand-up comedy, television, radio and in 2010-2011 musical theatre. He is particularly associated with the 6.30pm comedy slot on BBC Radio 4, having frequently appeared on several of its shows...
, BBC
BBC
The British Broadcasting Corporation is a British public service broadcaster. Its headquarters is at Broadcasting House in the City of Westminster, London. It is the largest broadcaster in the world, with about 23,000 staff...
presenters David Sheppard
David Sheppard (broadcaster)
David Thomas Sheppard is a presenter on BBC Local Radio.He is currently to be heard broadcasting on BBC Radio Devon's 'Shep and Jo Show' with Jo Loosemore each weekday afternoon 3 till 7.- Early life and career :...
and Chris Cox
Chris Cox (Mind Reader)
Chris Cox is an award winning, self-proclaimed mind reader. He is also the producer for Matt Edmondson on BBC Radio 1; prior to this he was the assistant producer on The Chris Moyles Show....
, Classic FM
Classic FM (UK)
Classic FM, one of the United Kingdom's three Independent National Radio stations, broadcasts classical music in a popular and accessible style.-Overview:...
's Nicola Bonn, Theofanis Gekas
Theofanis Gekas
Theofanis Gekas is a Greek football striker who currently plays for the German club Eintracht Frankfurt. He has been the top goalscorer of the Greek League and the Bundesliga in previous seasons...
, GWR Bristol breakfast host Paris Troy
The Bush and Troy Show
The Bush and Troy Show ' is the breakfast show for Heart West Country in Bristol, England, running weekdays from 6:00am-9:00am .-Team:Andy Bush - Presenter...
and hip hop show Vanilla Extract, with presenters Charles Lindsay-Fynn and Hamish Ballie who run Burst's most popular show to date.