January 1988 Radio Heatherwood Closed
On the 9th January Radio Heatherwood closed down. It was then a race against time to rip out the old partridge mixer and dismantle the old console. It was also the time to put in the suspended ceiling for studio one. The change to a new design of console to accommodate the Chilton mixer was at the right time, because the old Telecom frame which had plagued us for many years was also ripped out the month before, this gave us that much needed space.
We had become quite proficient at changing things around, as in the previous year we were completing the library re-design and before that numerous other changes as we tried to maximize the space we were allocated.
The major building work was completed on the 31st of January: painting and wiring commenced immediately. The majority of work was carried out by the engineer three nights a week, all day Saturdays and Sunday mornings. The manager with assistance from a couple of presenters added the finish to the studio, with a spot of paint.
On the 1st of February the installation company ;Wireless Workshop arrived; to fit the new AM broadcast system. The test tone was heard throughout the day on Monday the 8th of February. In the evening at 7pm the unit was switched to sustaining service tuner'. Radio 210 could be heard on 999KHz for the first time in the hospital.
" A new station was born."
Note:- I wrote in my diary for that day " I'm glad it's all over " P. J.
It was a weight off my mind that day, we had waited such a long time to achieve this and we had come through untold hassles, but we came through.
On the 20th February, we re-laid the carpet which was the last job to be done. The wiring was complete, so in the afternoon at 5:35 till 5:45 the first test transmission was made with the new I'D and the voice of the manager.
On the 3rd of March the staff training commenced with the new terms & conditions, some presenters didn't return after the closedown and some felt they could not commit themselves to the station. it was also the time to start full training on equipment and use of the facilities; which in the past had been neglected. A month of intensive training for staff; lead us to the on-air day.
