Broadcast area Victoria Hospital First air date 3 March 1971 Callsign meaning VRN1287 | Frequency 1287KHz Format Music and Talk | |
Slogan Hospital Radio in Kirkcaldy |
The Victoria Radio Network (VRN) is a hospital radio station based in Kirkcaldy, Scotland. It currently broadcasts 24 hours a day to the premises of the Victoria Hospital and surrounding facilities on 1287AM/MW, and to patients' bedside radios.
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History
VRN was formed in February 1971 by a group of young people in Kirkcaldy. Its first broadcast took place on 3 March, and the studio was originally housed in a cupboard of the main tower block of the hospital.
The station moved to premises on nearby St Clair Street, approximately 1 mile from the hospital. However, when this area was later redeveloped, the station moved back to the hospital site. This time, a custom-built studio was created out of Portakabins. The final move was to an old boiler house on Willow Drive.
In 2002, VRN was awarded a medium wave broadcasting licence. The first AM (medium wave) broadcast took place on 2 February 2002, and the station continues to broadcast on AM to the present day.
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Membership
VRN is run entirely by volunteers, with no full-time members of staff. There are currently around 50 members of the team. The majority of members are presenters, but there are also ward visitors, fundraisers and committee positions.
Broadcasting Output
As a hospital station, output is directed towards patients, staff and visitors. Main programming features include:
When presenters are not in the studio, a series of pre-recorded programmes are played along with music.
Former Members
An important function of hospital radio is that it has allows a first step for those looking to work in broadcasting.
Notable former members of VRN include:
Awards
VRN has received awards, many of which have come from the Hospital Broadcasting Association (HBA). Recent awards include:
2006
2007
2008
2010
Website
As a hospital station, VRN does not stream its output online. However, a selection of archived material can be listened to via the VRNplayer.