Remotest Place in the World
Named one of the remotest places in the world, Tristan da Cunha is a dependency of St Helena and the newest member of the our re-broadcast community.
This remote sister Island joined the Saint FM family, after a week of test transmissions on May 2008, as the third of the South Atlantic Islands to rebroadcast Saint FM. >>
Like on Ascension and Falkland's, Saint FM is downloaded directly from the live stream on our website via satellite and rebroadcast through a second 'repeater' station for listeners on Tristan da Cunha.
Reception on this small outpost has (like Falklands) proved difficult at times. Tristan initially experiencing technical issues with their equipment, mainly due to severe weather conditions, whereby rain water effected the aerial connections. >>
Besides a shaky start, Tristan, like her 'sister Islands now has access to Saint FM 24/7.
Contact Tristan:
We welcome stories, news items and articles to Saint FM/St Helena Independent.
Learn more about Tristan:
Welcome to the FM Family:
On Wednesday 14th May 2008, Mike Olsson, Station Manger welcomed listeners on Tristan Da Cunha along with special guests gathered at Saint FM studios to the commemorate the official launch of Saint FM on Tristan.
Her Excellency, Acting Governor, Ethel Yon OBE, gave a welcoming speech to Tristanian's saying "This is an historic occasion and worthy of celebrating as it gives the people of St Helena and its sister islands, Ascension and Tristan da Cunha, a way of communicating with each other over the airwaves and bringing these remote communities in the South Atlantic feeling that much closer to each other. Where we are today is through the hard work and dedication of Mike Olsson and his small team at Saint FM to which I pay tribute." >>
Since Saint FM's conception in 2005 it has been one of our missions to provide a station for all the South Atlantic Islands. and certainly providing re-broadcasts on Ascension, Falklands and now Tristan has "certainly did much to stamp out some of the isolation between families on St Helena and Ascension."
Tristan Da Cunha Administrator, David Morley also spoke to Mike via telephone to commemorate the launch saying: ""Let me, on behalf of the community, thank Saint FM very much for lending us the equipment which has enabled us to pick up Saint FM. As you know, we started broadcasting two or three days ago and it’s certainly nice to be able to offer the community an alternative to BFBS radio, it’s very nice to be part of the South Atlantic Radio Community, along with Falklands, Ascension and St Helena." >>
Attorney General for St Helena, Ascension & Tristan Da Cunha, Ken Baddon.
"I hope the Saint FM broadcasts to Tristan da Cunha will improve your lives as they have improved the lives of people here in St Helena, Ascension and the Falklands, and, indeed, worldwide over the last couple of years, so my very best wishes to you and I very much hope to see you early next year."
Bob Wyatt, the former Master of the RMS St Helena.
"It’s sixteen years since I’ve been to your beautiful island and I think a lot about it and I enjoyed it very much. I was very lucky to go on the old ship, took it down on its first and last voyages to Tristan and also took the new ship down on its first time when it called at Tristan and also the Aragonite, if you remember it. "
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Communications on Tristan:
Telecommunications on Tristan has developed in leaps and bounds in recent years.
In May 2006 the island installed a new internet access satellite dish, which gave islanders access to improved telecommunications. “Tristan da Cunha, might still be the world's most remote community geographically, now has first class telecommunications which include free emails and phone calls to families in the UK at a fractioned of previous prices.”
A new service installed by Global Crossing replaced the expensive high-frequency links with Cape Town Radio. The link gives the island a higher capacity of 12 lines running at 256Kbit/s, compared with the islands previous sat phone links of 64Kbit/s.
“Having permanent Internet connections means the 30 pupils of St Mary’s School now have the choice to use distance learning to complete their secondary schooling on the island before heading overseas to further their education. It also means our doctor will be able to confer online with consultants around the world. We also plan to establish an internet café that will allow people to email in privacy and at much cheaper rates. The island’s economy will also receive a boost as the post office and craft shop will be able to sell stamps and souvenirs on the island website.” Administrator M. Hentley >>
All Tristan da Cunha Homes fitted with telephones:
Gerry Repetto, Head of Foreign Office Telecommunications Network on Tristan da Cunha has confirmed that all island homes are now fitted with working telephones.
The community is delighted with their new home 'phones, especially as the project was completed in only six months despite a delay whilst waiting for materials to be shipped in. Inhabitants of the world's most isolated community can all now telephone friends and family across the world from the comfort of their own homes at rates identical to homes in London.
Internet access has also been extended to accommodate lap top users who have access after working hours. There are 4 normal PCs and provisions for 7 laptops in the internet cafe. Internet access will be extended to homes when resources are available, probably using existing 'phone lines.
Gerry Repetto Sep 2007
New Head of Communications Department:
Andrea (Andy) Repetto has been appointed as the new Head of Tristan da Cunha's Communications Department
Andy started his career in Tristan's post & Communications Department where he worked from 1976-1993, attending a course in St. Helena with Cable & Wireless in 1980. >>
He attended the Southampton City College & Southern Sailing School, Hampshire UK in 2002 and joined the re-organised Telecommunications Department in 2003. He was appointed Head of Telecommunications in October 2007 and installed the first amateur radio station on the island.
Atlantic FM Launched:
Atlantic FM returned to the local Tristan airwaves on Sunday 13 January 2008 with a 2-hour news and music bulletin. Laurian Rogers resumed her duties behind the microphone and treated the community to some old musical favourites from the 70s.
Administrator David Morley's gave the First Local Radio Bulletin, and used the opportunity to announce the good news of imminent work to repair Calshot Harbour.
Tristan da Cunha's local radio station has been re-branded as Atlantic FM to avoid being confused with Tristan Radio operated by the Head of Communications Department Andrea Repetto.
Atlantic FM is operated by Laurian Rogers. New Head of Communications Department Andy Repetto has overseen the re-launch.
BFBS Radio 1 is also available 24/7 across the Settlement and the Patches, and Saint FM began rebroadcasts in May 2008 as part of a new inter-island partnership.
Source: www.tristandc.com
Click here for full articles and Photos pertaining to communications on Tristan
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