
Victoria Radio Network

The Victoria Radio Network (VRN) is a hospital radio station based in Kirkcaldy, Scotland. It currently broadcasts 24 hours a day to the premises of the Victoria Hospital and surrounding facilities to patients' bedside radios and www.vrnkirkcaldy.com
History.
VRN was formed in February 1971 by a group of young people in Kirkcaldy. Its first broadcast took place on 3 March, and the studio was originally housed in a cupboard of the main tower block of the hospital.
The station moved to premises on nearby St Clair Street, approximately 1 mile from the hospital. However, when this area was later redeveloped, the station moved back to the hospital site. This time, a custom-built studio was created out of Portakabins. The final move was to an old boiler house on Willow Drive.
In 2002, VRN was awarded a medium wave broadcasting licence. The first AM (medium wave) broadcast took place on 2 February 2002, and the station continued to broadcast on AM till Dec 2017. The station is now available on bed side tablets and on line at www.vrnkirkcaldy.com.
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Membership.
VRN is run entirely by volunteers, with no full-time members of staff. There are currently around 50 members of the team. The majority of members are presenters, but there are also ward visitors, fundraisers and committee positions.
Broadcasting Output.
As a hospital station, output is directed towards patients, staff and visitors.
Main programming features include:
When presenters are not in the studio, a series of pre-recorded programmes are played along with music.
Former members.
An important function of hospital radio is that it has allows a first step for those looking to work in broadcasting.
Notable former members of VRN include:
Awards.
VRN has received awards, many of which have come from the Hospital Broadcasting Association (HBA).
Recent awards include:
Website.
As a hospital station, VRN does not stream its output online. However, a selection of archived material can be listened to via the VRNplayer.
References.
VRN are currently (05/2012) doing tests for internet steaming, with the view of providing this service for their listeners