The BBC’s local radio station for Somerset will broadcast on FM in addition to mediumwave from 3 December. The station, which launched in 1988 as an opt-out from BBC Radio Bristol, will broadcast on Radio Bristol’s 95.5 frequency at Mendip. BBC Radio Bristol is advising listeners to re-tune to 94.9 to continue to hear local programmes, or 104.6 in the Bath area.
BBC Somerset Sound, based in Taunton, began on 1323 kHz but is currently on 1566 kHz with a 1 kW transmitter. It broadcasts its own programmes at breakfast, mid-morning and drivetime.
(Source: Radio Today)
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6 comments so far
1 Dave Kenny October 22nd, 2007 - 17:46 UTC
As far as I know the MW frequency will continue, its just getting an additional FM frequency.
2 Andy October 22nd, 2007 - 19:17 UTC
Thanks Dave. The original story says “The programmes of BBC Somerset are set to make the switch to FM.” When I went to school, the phrase “switch to” means that you change from one thing to another. I have amended the story, though the original remains ambiguous
3 Michael Stephens October 23rd, 2007 - 6:48 UTC
Curiously this will now increase the coverage of BBC somerset, due to the promenant position of the Mendip mast, and the use of a 9kW transmitter, reception is possible in all surrounding counties and beyond, for example BBC Bristol on 95.5 can be received as far away as in Oxford, Berkshire, Hampshire, Dorset, Devon and parts of Cornwall. BBC Bristol coverage will now be somewhat reduced, although the BBC have recently moved the 94.8 transmitter to improve the coverage so it can reach more of Bristol and surrounding areas, it won’t be as good as it was on 95.5.
4 Colin October 25th, 2007 - 22:39 UTC
Michael - the antenna at Mendip is being changed to restrict 95.5 to Somerset (county council area), so those areas you mention to the north and east won\’t receive BBC Somerset as strongly as they currently receive BBC Radio Bristol.
The replacement Radio Bristol frequency (in addition to the existing Bath frequency) will cover its intended editorial area perfectly adequately.
5 Roger November 3rd, 2007 - 20:29 UTC
I hope the new use of 95.5 will help me in Gloucestershire in my car.
BBC Radio Gloucestershire is on 104.7 with a repeater on 95.5 to the east of the county. I live in the west of the county and when 104.7 gets a little weak my car RDS jumps to 95.5 where I get BBC Radio Bristol. I\’d rather have a crackly 104.7 but there is no telling the car radio to ignore RDS retuning.
Will be interesting to see what happens with the changes on 95.5
6 Andy November 30th, 2007 - 12:03 UTC
FYI: According to the Weston & Somerset Mercury, Radio Bristol begins broadcasting on 3 December on 103.6 FM from a new transmitter in Hutton.
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