History
The radio station was set up in 1979, broadcasting on an induction loop system around the residence halls and through speakers situated within Hull University Union. In 1997, it became the first student radio station in the UK to broadcast on AM using a newly formulated Low Powered AM license (LPAM). Three other radio stations were awarded LPAMs by the Radio Authority (now Ofcom) at the same time (two hospital radio stations and one other student radio station) though Jam was the first. Bruce Davidson was the very first radio station manager. The radio station was licensed to broadcast to the campus, although the signal could "drift" further. The transmitter runs at 1 watt and is located in the loft area of the students union building, the mast is clearly visible on the roof.
Originally, a loop induction system was installed in the Lawns (a hall of residence at Hull University) as part of a third year project by a number of engineering students. By 1983 the loop induction system was operational. To cut costs, the students cut corners. To insulate the wire, instead of paying for expensive insulation they used Coca-Cola bottles. As a result of this, by 1993, the loop induction system was no longer functional. In 1994, the engineering team carried out a comprehensive survey of the underground induction loop system and were able to partially restore it to several of the Lawns halls, as well as fitting a new transmitter to Ferens hall. This system was finally turned off in 1997 after the award of the LPAM licence.
The radio station has broadcast events around the university such as Student Question Time, a student version of the BBC series, as well as club nights from the union. The radio station's programming consists of mainstream music by day, tailored to the students listening in the union building, and specialist programming by night.
Until 1997, Jam 1575 was known as "URH" which stood for "University Radio Hull".
Since Autumn 2007, Jam became an Internet only radio station, broadcasting from its website ilovejamradio.co.uk.
In February 2010, the radio station was given union playout in the new concourse lounge via a playout system fitted by the current engineering team. This was decommissioned when the concourse lounge was removed for renovations late 2011.
Read more about this topic: JamRadio
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