Storm FM didn't suddenly appear out of a puff of smoke, our History goes far back over a long period. So fact fanatics prepare to sit back and read how we came to be where we are today.
The Early Days
Discussions about establishing a new radio station began way back in November 1995. The initial pioneers then went about explaining to people their vision for a student led station. The next two years were spent securing studio and office space, raising advertising revenue, and organising events.
On top of this many hours were spent trying to resolve political problems of allowing students from universities in Manchester and Salford take part as well as local people. Along with securing the support of all the Greater Manchester universities, while remaining an independent body not affiliated with one particular student union.
It would have been absurd to try and restrict the people who could get involved many people were enthused by the idea. We gave them, and those in charge, vital experience of setting up a radio station and also running a business and marketing a product.
Securing studio space in the basement of Salford Universities Media Department gave us a flexible working environment in which we could train presenters and engineers. However with the installation of much of our own broadcast and transmission equipment only around 12 hours before we went on air on September 22nd, the presenters did exceptionally well.
The many volunteers, our presenters, technicians, publicity and business teams all pulled together to make what was just a dream two years previously into a reality. The broadcast was well received by the audience listening in, and we had much favourable feedback, with many phone calls. A series of events that we organised where a great success.
The location of the transmitter was the problem with the broadcast. Both restrictions under our license from the Radio Authority and our location on the north side of Manchester City Centre meant we couldn't reach parts of the student areas in the south of the city.
Our first broadcast, although proving that Storm FM was possible, did have it's rough edges and the four weeks intense work highlighted both the strengths and weaknesses of the organisation.
For everyone involved its been difficult at times since apart from having very little money, all of which comes from commercial sponsors, everyone has to work or study whilst devoting their spare time to radio activities. However, it's great fun otherwise why would people work up to 16 hours a day for no money?
It's thanks to every single person involved that the station has got off the ground and that we have found so many talented people enabling us to spend time in extensive planning for our second broadcast. Vast improvements have been made in all areas, learning from past experience. A new studio base in the Manchester University campus allows us to reach all the areas we need and we have more enthusiastic support than ever.
Storm FM is broadcasting once again from February 27th at 4pm to March 26th. This is our second month on air. Having drawn on experience from our first broadcast, much work has been done to equip studios, plan promotional nights and making the one month that we are on the air special.
The station is run entirely by volunteers many of whom are graduates or students doing uni courses. Storm FM will still be in existence after this broadcast has finished, a full review will be carried out and much more work will be put in to try and achieve our aim of eventually making Storm FM a full time radio station.
Thanks to Jon Shipley and Phil Edmonds in the compilation of the history of Storm FM.