======University Radio Falmer======

University Radio Falmer, or URF, is one of the [[student media]] supported by the Students' Union.

CAMPUS RADIO was first discussed at Sussex in 1972, and the idea was regularly discussed and shelved until a Union General Meeting in 1975 finally agreed to commit the necessary funds to build the Norwich House studio, purchase transmitting equipment, and apply for a licence from the Home Office.  Unlike many campus radio startups of the period, which began as student societies, URF was from the beginning a brainchild of Students' Union officers, in particular Lindsay Thomas and Keith Yaxley, who persuaded the Union to provide funding for Sussex to join the select few unions with a campus radio station.  
{{:wiki:urf_ugmmins1975.gif|}}
{{ :wiki:urf_1stlogo.gif|}}UNIVERSITY RADIO FALMER went on air on Valentine's Day, February 14th 1976.  Its medium-wave broadcasts on 312 metres initially only could be received only in the Park Houses, fed from an induction loop laid in a trench round each house.  And by URF's 2nd birthday, Unionews could publish the news that Park Village residents could join URF's listeners!

{{:wiki:urf_2ndlogo.gif|}}Regular programmes included the campus news programme "Five Days At Falmer", quiz show "Ask the Kitchen" and of course the "Breakfast Show" which continues to this day and where many URF DJs started their career behind the microphone.

{{ :wiki:urf_3rdlogo.gif|}}Initially URF transmitted on 312 metres (945 kHz) but later moved to 999kHz and more recently new technology was introduced along with a third frequency: 1431 kHz, finally moving to online-only transmission.

[{{ :wiki:urf_80s-c-pr.jpg?350|URF Norwich House studio in the 80s|}}]Although occasionally sneered at by politicos and union officers as an indulgence and a waste of money, URF has picked up a good number of National awards over the years.   

  * 1980s:  Sarah Parrish's documentary about the University's 25th anniversary events won a Guardian Student Radio award
  * 1990s: URF won "best radio station in the UK" and Alison Hulme won "best music presenter" at the prestigious BBC Radio 1 Student Radio Awards for 1997.
  * 2000s: URF won "Best Technical Achievement" at 2009's National Student Radio Awards, supported by BBC Radio 1, PPL and the Student Radio Association. 

In 1999 Sussex hosted the conference of the Student Radio Association, and the 25th anniversary in 2001 was marked with the grant of a short-term FM licence and a new logo for the station.