Aberdeen Radio

Infobox Radio station


name= Aberdeen Radio ("2BD")
airdate= 10 October 1923, 9pm
frequency= 495 metres SW
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area= City of Aberdeen
format = Light music, comedy, news and sports
owner = BBC

Aberdeen Radio (call sign "2BD") was a regional BBC radio broadcasting station which first began service on 10 October 1923, operating on 495 metres shortwave from the rear of Aberdeen Electrical Engineering's premises at 17 Belmont Street, Aberdeen, Scotland. [http://www.leopardmag.co.uk/feats/75/the-coming-of-steam-radio-to-aberdeen The History of Aberdeen Radio] : article by Gordon Bathgate from the online edition of "Leopard Magazine", February 2005. Retrieved on 8 January 2008.]

Planning

After being appointed managing director of the BBC in 1922, John Reith instigated a program of expansion to the radio network in the United Kingdom, increasing the number of local stations from 3 to 20 in a relatively short space of time. Aberdeen was one of the first new stations to be put on air.

Inception

The opening ceremony for the station was conducted by the Marquis of Aberdeen at 9pm on 10 October 1923, followed by a performance from the Band of the 2nd Gordon Highlanders. Those attending the launch included the Lord Provost of Aberdeen, BBC MD John Reith, station director R. E. Jeffery, and chief engineer Peter Eckersley.

Technical data

Inside the studio, broadcasters used a single microphone on a wheeled base, which severely restricted the number of users at any one time. Being transmitted from the Aberdeen Steam Laundry Company building, the signal then travelled to an aerial slung between two Marconi radio masts sited beside some nearby electrical generators (which frequently interfered with broadcasts). Although the transmitter was of low power, it was reported that the first programmes were heard in Norway and, similarly, subsequent broadcasts more than a year later could be heard in the United States during "International Radio Week".

Format

During a live six-hour transmission day, the station supplied a mix of light music, comedy, news, and sports reporting. A former Scottish football referee, Peter Craigmile, broadcast a 15-minute programme once a week devoted to previewing sports events.

The station had its own "2BD Repertory Company" with members including William Mair, Daisy Moncur, Grace Wilson and George Dewar. It had its own 12 piece orchestra, supplemented by harmonica player Donald Davidson, although they were reduced to eight members in 1926, and disbanded after the demise of the station.

Comedy was supplied by entertainers such as Jessie R. F. Allan, and many other artistes appeared before the microphone, including local boy Harry Gordon and character actress Mabel Constanduris.

Expansion and decline

In May 1925, Aberdeen Radio's premises were extended to take in number 15 Belmont Street; however, in 1926 the "Geneva Frequency Plan" cut the number of available wavelengths by 50%. In time, the Aberdeen transmitter, along with other local Scottish ones, was replaced by one medium wave transmitter, [ [http://www.radiorewind.co.uk/radio2/2lo_page.htm Change of transmission frequencies] (shortwave to medium wave): "Radio Rewind" website. Retrieved on 8 January 2008.] a longwave transmitter in Chelmsford, Essex, eventually handled all long-distance broadcasts, and "2BD" was last heard from in 1929. The BBC broadcasting centre which remained at the address eventually moved to its current location at Beechgrove Terrace [ [http://www.aberdeenonline.co.uk/info/1032/ BBC Broadcasting House] , Beechgrove Terrace, Aberdeen: "Aberdeen Online" website. Retrieved on 8 January 2008.] in the year 2000. [ [http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/uk/401316.stm Moved in 2000] to Beechgrove Terrace: BBC News article. Retrieved on 8 January 2008.]

References