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{{Short description|Student-run radio station at the University of Cambridge and Anglia Ruskin University}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=February 2017}}
{{Use British English|date=February 2017}}
{{Multiple issues|
{{COI|date=October 2015}}
{{overly detailed|date=February 2014}}
{{advert|date=April 2019}}
}}
{{Infobox radio station
| name             = CAM FM (Cambridge University Radio)
| logo             = Cam FM logo, in use from August 2020.svg
| city             = Cambridge
| area             = [[University of Cambridge]] & <br>[[Anglia Ruskin University]]
| branding         =
| airdate          = February 1979
| frequency        = 97.2 MHz (FM)
| format           = Variety : rock/dance/indie/pop/news/arts/debates/comedy
| power            = 
| erp              = 
| webcast          = [https://stream.camfm.co.uk/camfm stream.camfm.co.uk/camfm]<br>[http://www.camfm.co.uk/player www.camfm.co.uk/player]
| callsign_meaning = 
| owner            = Cambridge and Anglia Ruskin Student Radio Ltd
| website          = [http://www.camfm.co.uk www.camfm.co.uk] 
}}

'''Cam FM''' (formerly known as '''Cambridge University Radio''' and later '''CUR1350''') is a student-run [[radio station]] at the [[University of Cambridge]] and [[Anglia Ruskin University]]. The station broadcasts online and has an FM frequency of 97.2 MHz. The station opened studios at Anglia Ruskin University and [[Fitzwilliam College, Cambridge|Fitzwilliam College]] and started broadcasting in 2012 from these locations<ref name=":0">{{Cite web |title=Cam FM - 97.2 FM - Radio for Cambridge University and Anglia Ruskin |url=https://www.camfm.co.uk/history/ |access-date=2023-09-02 |website=Cam FM |language=en}}</ref> after having spent its first 32 years located in [[Churchill College, Cambridge|Churchill College]]. Cam FM once held the world record for the longest team broadcast marathon, at 76 hours,<ref>[http://www.cambridge-news.co.uk/Cambridge/DJs-take-a-spin-at-world-record-15112012.htm  DJs take a spin at world record] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140326183504/http://www.cambridge-news.co.uk/Cambridge/DJs-take-a-spin-at-world-record-15112012.htm |date=26 March 2014 }}</ref> and following the significant technical overhaul as a result of the two new studios in 2012, provided the first-ever broadcast media coverage of the [[Women's Boat Race 2012|Oxford vs Cambridge Women's Boat Race]] from [[Dorney Lake]], as well as live outside broadcasts from [[Newmarket races|Newmarket Races]] and the [[Varsity ski trip|Varsity Ski Trip]].<ref name=":0" />

In March 2009, Cam FM was awarded an FM Community Licence by the UK Broadcasting Regulator [[Ofcom]].<ref name=":0" /> The station, then known as CUR1350, took on its current name and launched its FM service on 2 October 2010.<ref name=":0" /> The station is a wholly owned subsidiary of Cambridge and Anglia Ruskin Student Radio Ltd, which is also the FM licence holder.

Cam FM disaffiliated from the [[Student Radio Association]] in 2015,<ref name="SRA Members. Student Radio Association. Retrieved on 2015-10-18.">[http://www.studentradio.org.uk/stations/  SRA Members. Student Radio Association. Retrieved on 2015-10-18.]{{Dead link|date=September 2025 |bot=InternetArchiveBot }}</ref> despite once winning Best Station at the Association's Student Radio Awards 2007 as '''CUR1350'''.<ref name="Student Radio Awards - 2007 - Winners. Student Radio Association. Retrieved on 2008-06-16.">[http://www.studentradio.org.uk/awards/2007/winners.html   Student Radio Awards - 2007 - Winners. Student Radio Association. Retrieved on 2008-06-16.] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071118081354/http://www.studentradio.org.uk/awards/2007/winners.html |date=18 November 2007 }}</ref> However, Cam FM rejoined the Student Radio Association in 2019.

Cam FM is managed by a committee of annually elected students and alumni of the [[University of Cambridge]] and [[Anglia Ruskin University]].<ref>{{Cite web |title=2023/24 Cam FM committee |url=https://www.camfm.co.uk/committee/}}</ref> It is transmitted from Cambridge University Library on West Road.{{cn|date=August 2025}}

==History==
In early 1979, Simon Cooper, Ellie Buchanan, and [[TotalRock|David Clouter]] at the student-run ''Cambridge University Broadcasting Society''<ref name="Cam FM at 40">[https://www.cam.ac.uk/alumni/camfm-40   Cam FM at 40. Retrieved on 06/01/21]</ref> founded a radio station which was granted permission to install [[induction loop]]s around the Cambridge colleges of [[Churchill College, Cambridge|Churchill]] and later [[New Hall, Cambridge|New Hall]], allowing residents to listen to Cambridge University Radio (as it was then known) over a short-range, mono, mediumwave broadcast. The station subsequently became ''CUR945''.<ref name=":0" />

Despite successfully applying for a number of short-term FM licences, CUR was unable to continuously broadcast to the university community, and so it struggled to achieve widespread popularity.

The explosive growth of the Internet, along with many colleges installing high-speed [[Ethernet]] connections in student rooms, prompted the station to launch a simultaneous webcast in 1998. This allowed students from throughout the University to listen whenever they were near a computer. In 2004, the Internet audio webcasts were upgraded, and in 2005, an enhanced online player was launched.

Additionally, in 2002, the station successfully applied for a long-term, [[LPAM|low-powered AM]] licence.<ref name="Ofcom Long-term RSL Licencees">[http://www.ofcom.org.uk/static/radiolicensing/rsls/longterm_rsls.htm   Ofcom Long-term RSL Licencees. Retrieved on 14/06/08]</ref> Broadcasting on 1350 kHz, the station was then known as CUR1350.

In 2006, CUR1350 launched a project to install a cable service to multiple sites across the University of Cambridge and Anglia Ruskin. Dubbed ''"CURintheBAR"'', the station was distributed via the universities' LAN network to receiving units positioned in student bars and cafes, where it was relayed over loudspeakers.

In March 2009, the station was granted an FM Community Radio License by the UK regulator [[Ofcom]] to become the only FM radio station targeting members of Cambridge University and Anglia Ruskin University. Regular programmes began on the new frequency of 97.2 FM in October 2010; the station is now rebranded as Cam FM.<ref name="Ofcom Radio Broadcast Update October 2010">[http://licensing.ofcom.org.uk/radio-broadcast-licensing/monthly-updates/update1010/ Ofcom Radio Broadcast Update October 2010.] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20101207060806/http://licensing.ofcom.org.uk/radio-broadcast-licensing/monthly-updates/update1010/ |date=7 December 2010 }}</ref>

Cam FM is financially self-sufficient via on-air and online advertising and a yearly membership fee. Profits are invested back into the station to improve the service for listeners and the experience for station members. The station receives no funding from either the university or any student union.<ref name="Cambridge Societies Guide">[http://www.cam.ac.uk/about/socinfo/jpo/notes.pdf   University of Cambridge Societies Guide. Retrieved on 14/06/08] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090704044423/http://www.cam.ac.uk/about/socinfo/jpo/notes.pdf |date=4 July 2009 }}</ref>

==Current broadcasts==
Currently, Cam FM broadcasts continuously, with an automated playout system filling the intervals between live broadcasts. During term time, much of the station's output is live between the hours of 8{{nbsp}}am and 1{{nbsp}}am. Programmes are produced and presented by undergraduate and postgraduate students and alumni at both the [[University of Cambridge]] and the Cambridge campus of [[Anglia Ruskin University]]. A majority of programmes are specialist music shows (e.g. [[drum and bass]], [[indie rock]], [[UK garage]]), though others are aimed at a wider audience (e.g. their breakfast show, theatre/film review show, or local news coverage).

Most of the technology used by Cam FM is developed in-house, such as their automated playout system, computerized playout systems and audio routing in the studio, enabling the station to be built to specification{{Citation needed|date=September 2023}}.

==Awards==
Sports coverage earned the station a silver award in the 2003 [[Student Radio Association#The Student Radio Awards (SRAs)|Student Radio Awards]] for their annual coverage of the [[Bumps|May Bumps]]. In 2004, the station won four awards:

* Val Mellon, who would be later heard on the national [[Digital Audio Broadcasting|DAB]] station [[Core (radio station)|Core]] until it ceased broadcast in 2008, won a gold award for ''Best Entertainment Show'', as well as a bronze award for ''Best Female'' ''Presenter''.
* A further gold award was presented to the station for ''Technical Achievement'' in recognition of the station's platform-independent webcast system.
* A silver award was given to the station for ''Best Sports Programming'' for their live coverage of the annual Oxford vs Cambridge [[rugby union]] [[The Varsity Match|Varsity match]].

In 2005, CUR1350 was nominated for four awards. These were:

* ''Technical Achievement'' - the station was nominated for its wireless internet link coverage of May Bumps 2005,
* ''Sports Broadcasting'' - [[Edmund Bolton (reality TV star)|Ed Bolton]] for The Sports Show, including interviews with [[Chris Eubank]],
* ''Specialist Music'' - Samuel Green for "Kol Cambridge", the UK's then-only broadcast radio show dedicated to [[Music of Israel|Israeli]] and [[Jewish music|Jewish Music]] - this show continues to the present day, now in the form of a [[podcast]] independent of Cam FM,
* ''Student Radio Station of the Year''<ref name="Student Radio Awards - 2005 - Winners. Student Radio Association. Retrieved on 2008-06-16.">[http://www.studentradio.org.uk/awards/2005/winners Student Radio Awards - 2005 - Winners. Student Radio Association. Retrieved on 2008-06-16.]</ref>

In 2007, CUR1350 was nominated for an all-time company record of nine Student Radio Awards, making it the most nominated station of 2007:<ref name="Student Radio Awards - 2007 - Nominees. Student Radio Association. Retrieved on 2008-06-16.">[http://www.studentradio.org.uk/awards/2007/nominations.html Student Radio Awards - 2007 - Nominees. Student Radio Association. Retrieved on 2008-06-16.] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080723194603/http://www.studentradio.org.uk/awards/2007/nominations.html |date=23 July 2008 }}</ref>

* ''Best Technical Innovation''
* Three for ''Best Entertainment Programme'' - Charles Lyon's ''"Weekend Breakfast"'', Jaine Sykes' ''"Rock Paper Scissors"'', and Ella Belsham & Alex-James Painter's ''"Morning Glory"''),
* ''Best Specialist Music Programme'' - Tobias Bown's ''"Volume 11"'',
* ''Newcomer of the Year -'' Jaine Sykes,
* Two for ''Best Female Presenter'' - Katherine Godfrey and Jaine Sykes,
* ''Student Radio Station of the Year''

Of these, CUR1350 won Bronze in the ''Best Entertainment Programme'' category with Charles Lyons' ''"Weekend Breakfast",'' Gold for Katherine Godfrey in the ''Best Female Presenter'' category, and Gold in ''Station of the Year.''<ref name="Student Radio Awards - 2007 - Winners. Student Radio Association. Retrieved on 2008-06-16." />

In 2008, CUR1350 was nominated for:

* ''Student Radio Station of the Year'',
* ''Best Specialist Music Programme'' - Sandy Mill, 
* ''Best Outside Broadcast'' - The 2008 May Bumps,
* ''Best Student Radio [[Music charts|Chart Show]] -'' Charles Lyon

Of these, the station won Gold in the ''Best Chart Show'' category. ''Best Student Radio Chart Show'' was also a new category as of this year.

In 2009, CUR1350 received two nominations at the Student Radio Awards. These were for:

* ''Best Student Radio Chart Show'' - Tobias Bown and Simon Ruggles
* ''Best Outside Broadcast/Live Event'' - The 2009 May Bumps.<ref>[http://www.studentradioawards.co.uk/page/74 The Student Radio Awards Nominees 2009] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120329202437/http://www.studentradioawards.co.uk/page/74 |date=29 March 2012 }}</ref>

In 2012, now known as Cam FM, the station was nominated at the Student Radio Awards for:

* ''Best Outside Broadcast/Live Event'' - the 2012 May Bumps,<ref>[http://www.studentradioawards.co.uk/news/fullstory/5686 The Student Radio Awards Winners 2012] {{webarchive|url=https://archive.today/20130421074949/http://www.studentradioawards.co.uk/news/fullstory/5686 |date=21 April 2013 }}</ref>
* ''Best Speech -'' ''"The Fo' Show"''
* ''Student Radio Station of the Year''.<ref>[http://www.studentradioawards.co.uk/news/5532 The Student Radio Awards Nominees 2012] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121015050406/http://www.studentradioawards.co.uk/news/5532 |date=15 October 2012 }}</ref>

Of these, the station won gold in the ''Best Outside Broadcast/Live Event'' category.

The [[Kevin Greening]] Award is named in honour of the late [[BBC Radio 1|BBC Radio One]] presenter whose career in radio started at CUR1350, as it was then known.<ref>[http://www.studentradioawards.co.uk/kevin The Student Radio Awards, Kevin Greening Award] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121002071024/http://www.studentradioawards.co.uk/kevin |date=2 October 2012 }}</ref>

==Alumni==

Several of the station's members have subsequently achieved considerable success in the wider world of radio & television broadcasting. Notable examples include:
* [[Kevin Greening]], a presenter on [[BBC Radio 1]] throughout the latter half of the 1990s, went on to present on [[102.2 Smooth FM]], which broadcasts across [[Greater London]], until his untimely death aged 44 in December 2007.
* [[Matthew Price]] is now the BBC's Europe Correspondent, having previously been BBC's New York Correspondent and Middle East Correspondent.
* [[Spencer Kelly]] is the presenter of the BBC TV programme [[Click Online]] and was formerly a presenter on [[Ocean FM (UK)|Ocean FM]] broadcasting across [[Portsmouth]] and [[Southampton]].<ref>{{Cite web |title=Do you know your cloud from your algorithm? And what exactly is AI? Key questions explained in new podcast Understand: Tech and AI on BBC Radio 4 and BBC Sounds |url=https://www.bbc.com/mediacentre/2023/understand-tech-and-ai-on-bbc-sounds/ |access-date=2024-06-03 |website=www.bbc.com |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=BBC News {{!}} UK {{!}} Pokemon baby swap offer |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/uk_news/729766.stm |access-date=2024-06-03 |website=news.bbc.co.uk}}</ref>
* Rebecca Steers is the Station Manager of [[NLive Radio]] in Northampton, the Founder and Chair of the UK National [[Community Radio Awards]], and the Founder and Manager of [[Scout Radio]].

The station once held annual ''alumni days'', on which former members were invited back to once again produce and present shows for listeners within the University.

== References ==
{{Reflist|35em}}

==External links==
* [http://www.camfm.co.uk/ Official website]

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{{University of Cambridge}}
{{Student radio in the United Kingdom}}
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{{DEFAULTSORT:Cur1350}}
[[Category:Radio stations in Cambridgeshire and Peterborough]]
[[Category:Radio stations established in 1979]]
[[Category:Organisations associated with the University of Cambridge]]
[[Category:Culture of the University of Cambridge]]
[[Category:Student radio in the United Kingdom]]
[[Category:Churchill College, Cambridge]]
[[Category:St John's College, Cambridge]]
[[Category:Anglia Ruskin University]]