Restricted Service Licences

The RSL Page.

A Record of Restricted Licence or Community Broadcast Stations in the East Midlands (and further).

Restricted Broadcast Licences (RSLs) are issued to groups, societies etc to Broadcast for a short length of time. The RSL is usually issued as a trial period with a view to obtaining a full time licence or the RSL is set up to celebrate or support an event.

RSLs can be set up to cover Religious Holidays and Local Festivals, Sporting Events such as Grand Prix, Motor Racing Events, Football matches and similar.

Ofcom's List of Current RSLs Link

Boundary Sound

Ran a very successfull first trial Broadcast from 06/09/04-03/10/04 on 87.7FM supported by internet streaming.

A second trial ran from Monday February 7th 2005 for 28 days. The same TX site as first RSL (Newark town centre) with 15W erp on 87.7MHz. Some work to raise the height of the TX antenna by a few more metres was carried out to the allowed maximum of 20m. Personally I found this made a vast improvement around the town and outlying areas.Watch out for further information on their website and audio streams.

Steve Boundary Sound's Technical Manager very kindly let Holly Loose on the desk over the christmas holidays, as can be seen she thoroughly enjoyed the visit.

Reception Reports: Initially I found Boundary Sound hard to hear more than 5-6 miles from Newark. This was due to a good lift bringing in Dutch Broadcaster Yorin FM who use the same frequency.

Presenter Charlie Roberts in action during his Saturday Night 80's show. (From the first RSL)

Once the conditions became stable I found the signal to be useable along the A617 to Rainworth, but audible in parts of Mansfield and Ashfield. I also had good reception up to North Hykeham in the Lincoln Direction. Mapperley Ridge was predictably good, the Southwell area was good as well. All these reports were made using standard in car equipment, I did venture out in a loan car for two days and found that the reception was not nearly as good using the standard Ford In car set up. From Balderton reception waivered from good to poor depending on set location and general conditions. The reception was far better during RSL 2 with the station workable pretty much through to Mansfield.

6th March 06. RSL 4 Commenced. Trialling a new TX location. After a few teething problems, all seems to be ticking over nicely. Reception in Balderton now improved. Not as strong to the west of Southwell, the fringe of reliable reception seems to be A614. Interesting results around West Bridgford and Mapperley due to interaction from LCR FM in Loughborough. Moment of the Broadcast for me: Matt Colbourne for his hilarious take on "Endowment Shortfall" advice.

Boundary Sound Website

 

Siren FM

Heard on 28th April 06 in the Newark Area on 87.7Mhz. The Ofcom pages list Lincolns Best Choice as the only likely candidate.

Ashfield Community Radio

Heard in the Ashfield Area on April 4th 2006 on 97.5Mhz. Quite co-incidently playing Liza Lamour's version of "New Day" when I found the station. Lisa L'amour is one of the websites I am involved with. This station has a history of successfull RSLs over the years. More information Here

Priory FM

Priory FM started transmission on 102.5 from Wednesday 3rd May 2005 for the beginning of their 28
days RSL. Good coverage expected as usual from their excellent TX site on St Catherine's Hill in Grantham. 25Watts ERP has been awarded to this Broadcast.

Reception Reports: Priory FM can be heard in Newark with some reasonable clarity. Personally speaking I find that reception is better in the car, I have heard Priory as far as Markham Moor on the A1, North Hykeham and Bingham. 17/11/04 Reception usable along A617 from Newark until A614 Roundabout, Signal drops off fast also Pulse FM starts to appear.

Previous RSL's from this site have also used the name Gravity FM. Priory / Gravity have many RSL's under their belt. Priory FM Website

Mansfield Community Radio

87.7Mhz First heard on 7th December 05 while crossing the M1 at Junction 29. Good Reception right along the A617 to Kirklington, the signal becomes "scratchy" in places but still workable up to Newark Town Center and Balderton. Still stereo in places but prone to interference. RDS display shows "MANRADFM".

The website for the station can be found here. The Station was on-air until 1st January 2006 and is an inititive for the Oak Tree Lane and Bellamy Road Estates.

TWC / The Eye

87.9Mhz Local Radio for the Vale of Belvoir. I heard this station for the first time on 1/12/04 travelling along the A46 towards Radcliffe on Trent. Quite a novelty to have 2 Local RSL's active at the moment (at time of writing 1/12/04 Priory FM is also active) especially as both stations were running a show called "Power Breakfast". Spooky eh ? RDS was displaying "TWC FM". Never heard this station before but often try the frequency due to the large number of "I love 87.9" stickers that proliferate sign posts around the A46 and West Bridgford area.

June 2005: TWC were awarded a Community Radio Licence. TWC went on the Air in late 2006 on 103Mhz rebranded as "The Eye". The Eye Website

New Wine Radio

Station to celebrate the New Wine Christian Coference in Newark

First heard 25/07/06 on air 21/07/6 to 29/07/06

Erewash Sound

Ilkeston Community On air from: 16/07/05 to 12/08/05 On 87.9MHz. Weak signal on car radio in Newark, but clear enough to identify. Steve 2E0FKH reports hearing Erewash Sound in Newark on 19th July 2005 @ 23:30. I have since heard Erewash Sound on 01/08/05 while driving between West Bridgford and the National Water Sports Centre.

GameFair Radio

Grantham
On air from: 20/07/05 to 24/07/05
Steve 2E0FKH has reported hearing Gamefair FM on 87.7MHz and commented " Very good reception from Balderton". I also heard Gamefair around the Newark area. On 25th July the signal was very strong in Mansfield, just a blank carrier with RDS at the time.
Lincolnshire Show Radio

First heard on 20th June 06 - Surprisingly I was in Mansfield at the time!

Ponies UK

Ponies UK: On air from: 16/08/05 to 20/08/05 87.7Mhz. Broadcasting for the annual Pony Event (Camp?) from the Newark Showground. Steve M3FKH reports reception during the weekend 20-21 August, thought to be using very low output power as the station was only audible up to about 3/4 mile from the show ground

19th August 2006 Heard while driving past the Newark Showground, RDS displaying "PUK FM". As with last year coverage difficult past the showground boundaries.
Historical RSL's, Other RSL's and Access Radio Stations

Lush FM

Lush FM: A station set up by the Leicester Students Union. Heard on 107.5Mhz while in Leicester on 9th December 2005. Very strong in the Belgrave area and along London Road. Workable going out of the City north on the A6 to around Wanlip.
LCR FM

LCR FM: Heard on 87.7Mhz while in Loughborough on 13th February 2006. Very strong in the sorrounding area. Workable going out of the town south on the A6 to around Wanlip A46 Junction. Would have probably been heard further in to Leicester but another station displaying "URBAN" on the RDS pops up. Also good signals north on the M1 to junction 25 but audible to well beyond J26. Also heard on 107.5mhz around Leicester was a station playing Asian Music, no RDS display though.

Max FM

Max FM: I heard this one quite a bit during May and June 1993. Max FM was a trial which mainly featured Dance Music. I think that the TX site was probably around Mapperley as reception could be made as far as East Stoke on the A46.

Horizon

Horizon: I heard this station around February 1995. Again I think the main programming was Dance orientated.

URN

URN: (University Radio Nottingham). Was first aware of this station during their late 93 broadcast. Good coverage around Nottingham from memory ok out to about Saxondale. I did hear the station all the way along the A52 to Grantham and then in bursts out the outher side along the A52 until around Osbourney Roundabout. I think URN has appeared over many years quite often at beginning of a new Educational Year. I think they possibly scooped an interview with Chris Evans one morning when he happened to be visiting the University either in his Radio One Capacity or maybe TV role.

Airshow

Airshow: First heard a few years back for the Waddington Airshow. Good reception this year (2004) along the A46 from Lincoln to Brough. Also reasonably good in Balderton using a colinear aerial designed for 2mtr Ham Band. Heard on 102.5? June 23rd 2005.

Derwent FM

Derwent FM 87.9Mhz. Heard this station on 14th September 2004 around 12:30 while driving over Mapperley Top. Resonable reception stereo with some noise, however I was a long way from the intended reception area. Also no RDS display was received. Presenter played a good selection of music (In my opinion) and gave out local news and information. Sounded very slick.

SNC Student Radio

87.9 heard for the first time on 3/4/06 on 87.9 whilst driving through West Bridgford.

 

FIZA

An Access Radio Pilot Scheme Station from Nottingham to be found on 97.1Mhz. Started broadcasting in March 2002. I think this station is run by the Asian Women's Project.

Reception Reports: I have heard this station quite widely over the Nottingham Area. Particularly Strong on the M1 around junction 26. Also very strong in West Bridgford Area.

Dawn FM

Dawn FM run by:
Karminia Institue on 107.6 in Nottingham. Previously shared airtime with the Asian Womens Project .

Kemet Radio

Launched on 25th January 2007 to serve the African Caribbean Community in the Nottingham and wider area. Broadcasting on 97.5Mhz I have found coverage in the Nottingham area to be very good. Website can be found here

ICE FM

87.7Mhz - No RDS heard in West Bridgford on 17th April 2007
Amber Sound FM

Amber Sound FM

87.9 FM - Ripley, Derby RDS "AMBERSND" heard in Ravenshead - Coxmoor Area on 19th April 2007

Takeover Radio

Takeover Radio: An Access Radio Pilot Scheme Station from Leicester on 103.2Mhz. Started off by streaming over the net Takeover took to the air in early 2002. The Station is themed towards children.

Reception Reports: Usually reaches out of Leicester on the A46 to about Thrussington Crossroads. Can be heard further out but competes with Mansfield 103.2 the further north you go. Leaving Leicester travelling north west by the A50 reception suddenly disapears at Bradgate Hill. Takeover Website

Tulip Radio

87.9 FM - To celebrate the Spalding Flower festival and Parade
On air from: 09/04/06 to 06/05/06. First heard in April 05 while visiting the event, also heard on 2/05/06 while attending the event.

Radio Ikhlas

Radio Ikhlas: 87.9Mhz. An RSL set up for the Holy Month of Ramadan. I think the station is Broadcasting from Derby. Reception Reports: Heard from the M1 between Junc 23-28 around end of October 2004. Heard again in October 2005 at Hathern and Ashby De La Zouch

A List of Stations for Ramadan can be found here

Peniston FM

06/09/06 Heard on 87.7Mhz while on the M1 around Sheffield area. Official website

Please let us know of other RSLs you have heard even if they are out of area. Email

 

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