Morley FM is well and truly on the air, with a grand opening of the Mayor cutting a blue ribbon, an inaugural “this is Morley FM” broadcast (hosted by Myself) & a selection of other presenters doing their thing.

We have reports of a listenable signal 17 miles away, but an unlistenable signal two miles away in a dip.

The star of the show has been Danny Mylo, who was found driving past our door with a loudhailer and fuzzlight. (When I say driving, I mean his Dad, he’s only 14!)

It wasn’t totally plain sailing however, when presenting we noticed that our output logger decided to reboot, it obviously didn’t like our output! It is now on a UPS with another base unit standing by. We have to maintain a logging system by law, with a data retention of 42 days (to give someone a chance to complain).

I’m feeling a bit gaga at the moment, elated at the switch-on of Morley FM. The official event is at noon, however, the hardened radioheads from the Morley Community Radio Society gathered in the studios for the application of power to the transmitter at one second past midnight. We then sent foraging parties out to check the signal- better than expected in some areas but rather scratchy in Churwell (where at least two of the team live).

We were so elated by the experience that we then had an inpromptu radio show. Our excuse was getting the levels right, however it is a great feeling seeing “MorleyFm” on the car radio and hearing the relatively inexperienced presenters get more slick and polished by the minute.

This community radio malarkey is a good thing, I’m delighted we have got this far. I have also recorded some great interviews with Head Teachers, now the time consuming part comes- the editing!

Fortunately, it will all be over Sunday week, & we intend to have a bit of a party a few days afterwards.