Havant radio stations expands reach after big fire

But the crackling was more than many listeners would wish for as the radio’s signal was not strong enough.

Now those days are over as Angel Radio has now been awarded the FM licence to cover Portsmouth, Havant and the surrounding areas.

It will mean that hundreds of listeners who have struggled to listen to the community nostalgia station will be able to listen with crisp sound.

It caps an amazing comeback for the radio station, which was hit last September by a huge fire that gutted its studios in Market Parade, Havant.

All the station’s awards – including the prestigious Queen’s Award – were destroyed and the studio was severely smoke-damaged.

But the station has bounced back and now has a refurbished office.

Tony Smith, station manager, is delighted that Angel is going from strength to strength.

He said: ‘With this new FM licence comes a considerable rise in transmitter power, a new 
location for our transmitting aerial, and a change of FM frequency.

‘This will effectively expand our coverage area dramatically and increase our potential audience by many tens of thousands.

‘People in Portsmouth, Gosport, Hayling Island, and all the other places that have 
struggled with our current FM signal will suddenly be able to hear us loud and clear on their FM radios.

‘People in a wide area surrounding our new coverage map will also now be able to tune in too.

‘There will be a great deal of work to do in the coming weeks, and a great deal of fundraising to pay for a new high-power transmitter, aerial, rental on the transmission site, and the cost of an engineer to undertake the installation work.’

The station is run by more than 70 volunteers, specialising in music from 1900 to 1959.

Jeannie Adlam, 80, who is a presenter on the station, added: ‘It’s wonderful news.’

Angel Radio will start broadcasting on FM later this year on a new frequency to be confirmed.

MP welcomes expansion of radio station

AN MP has welcomed Angel Radio expanding its service to reach more people.

Gosport politician Caroline Dinenage is celebrating Angel, based in Havant, being able to reach her constituents after being given a licence to expand.

It is for people aged over 60.

Ms Dinenage said: ‘It’s fantastic that Gosport will now be able to access more community radio stations like Angel.’

For more details visit angelradio.co.uk.