Mearns FM

{{short description|Radio station in Aberdeenshire, Scotland}}

{{Use dmy dates|date=July 2015}}

{{Use British English|date=July 2015}}

{{Infobox radio station

| logo = MearnsFM logo.png

| logo_size = 250px

| name = Mearns FM

| city = Stonehaven

| area = Aberdeenshire

| airdate = {{start date|2009|06|06|df=yes}}

| frequency = 105.1 MHz, 105.7 MHz, 106.2 MHz, 107.3 MHz

| rds = MEARNSFM

| format = Community Radio Station

| owner = Mearns Community Radio Ltd

| webcast = https://www.mearnsfm.org.uk

| website = {{URL|https://www.mearnsfm.org.uk/}}

| coordinates =

}}

Mearns FM is a community run radio station{{cite web |url=http://www.ofcom.org.uk/static/radiolicensing/Community/commitments/cr134.pdf |title=Archived copy |accessdate=2010-02-18 |url-status=dead |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20110605085607/http://www.ofcom.org.uk/static/radiolicensing/Community/commitments/cr134.pdf |archivedate=5 June 2011 |df=dmy-all }} based in Kincardineshire, also known as the Mearns. There are transmitters in Laurencekirk, Inverbervie, Stonehaven and Portlethen leading to a coverage area stretching from St Cyrus to Aberdeen. The studio is located in Stonehaven.

==History==

In 1993, Community Radio in the Mearns area began following a visit to North East Community Radio by members of the Stonehaven Community Centre Management Committee. Stonehaven Community Radio was subsequently formed, and it transmitted for the first time during July 1994 from the old primary school toilet block in Stonehaven Community Centre. At that time, community stations could only operate for 28 days at a time. The group disbanded in 1998.{{Cite web|title=About us|url=https://www.mearnsfm.org.uk/how-to-listen1/about-us/|archive-url=|archive-date=|access-date=2021-10-26|website=Mearns FM}}

In 2004, five year community radio licences were introduced, which led to the formation of a new group of enthusiasts. A draft constitution was adopted at the first AGM which was held in the late Summer of 2005. The project was delayed because a round of broadcasting applications had just closed and Ofcom, the regulating authority, did not invite new applications until the late autumn of 2006. It was necessary for the organisation to become a Company Limited by Guarantee and a registered charity.

The committee originally planned the station to be named Stonehaven Community Radio but it was decided to become Mearns wide and be called Mearns FM. Because of the large geographical area of the Mearns, the station applied for three transmitters which Ofcom subsequently agreed to and a licence was issued in early July 2007.

The station began broadcasting on 6 June 2009 during the annual Feein' Market in Stonehaven. At 11 am, the station was officially opened by the local MP, Sir Robert Smith.

Since then OFCOM have renewed our license to broadcast twice and we are able to keep broadcasting until at least 2024.

In 2016, the station was the only Community Radio Station in Scotland to receive accreditation from the BBC for Eurovision Song Contest coverage.{{Cite web|date=2016-05-13|title=Mearns FM get Eurovision accreditation|url=https://www.kincardineshireobserver.co.uk/news/mearns-fm-get-eurovision-accreditation-2157663|url-status=live|access-date=2021-07-14|website=Kincardineshire Observer|language=en|archive-date=17 July 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210717032643/https://www.kincardineshireobserver.co.uk/news/mearns-fm-get-eurovision-accreditation-2157663}}

In April 2020 Mearns FM was successful in a bid to increase power at all 3 transmitters and install a new transmitter at Portlethen church hall.{{Cite web|last=Proctor|first=David|date=2020-07-02|title=Radio antenna plans for north-east church hall approved|url=https://www.eveningexpress.co.uk/fp/news/local/filller-radio-antenna-plans-for-north-east-church-hall-approved/|url-status=live|access-date=2021-07-14|website=Evening Express|language=en-US|archive-date=14 July 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210714230150/https://www.eveningexpress.co.uk/fp/news/local/filller-radio-antenna-plans-for-north-east-church-hall-approved/}} This will improve coverage across South Aberdeenshire, half the funding needed to replace 4 transmitters was granted from Aberdeenshire Council and we are very grateful for that help. We will also open a new studio in Portlethen church hall part-financed by the National Lottery awards for all program. Mearns FM also launched on DAB digital radio across North-East Scotland in July 2020.{{Cite web|last=Phillips|first=Zoe|date=2020-07-18|title=North-east community radio station to make waves on digital format|url=https://www.eveningexpress.co.uk/fp/news/local/north-east-community-radio-station-to-make-waves-on-digital-format/|url-status=live|access-date=2021-07-14|website=Evening Express|language=en-US|archive-date=14 July 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210714225218/https://www.eveningexpress.co.uk/fp/news/local/north-east-community-radio-station-to-make-waves-on-digital-format/}}{{Cite web|date=2020-08-01|title=Mearns FM goes digital as it joins Switch Aberdeen|url=https://radiotoday.co.uk/2020/08/mearns-fm-goes-digital-as-it-joins-switch-aberdeen/|access-date=2021-07-14|website=RadioToday|language=en-GB|archive-date=17 July 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210717162901/https://radiotoday.co.uk/2020/08/mearns-fm-goes-digital-as-it-joins-switch-aberdeen/|url-status=live}}