CHCH QUAKE RECOVERY
LAUNCH OF RDUNIT – RDU’S MOBILE BROADCASTING FACILITY

Earlier this year, Christchurch’s 22 February earthquake destroyed the studio and premises belonging to student station, RDU98.5FM.

Subsequently, the stalwart station, which has been broadcasting alternative radio since 1976, was forced to find a new home.

Rather than opting for a five-year lease somewhere in Sockburn, RDU made the decision to go mobile and develop a portable broadcasting facility. It wasn’t long until the ideal vehicle to fulfil the station’s objective quickly materialised in the form of a 1980s Mitsubishi Canter horse truck.

Impressively, the recently refurbished RDUnit operates as a fully functioning station. In the front is a fully equipped DJ area, where DJs can essentially play on top of the cab. In the rear – where horses once stood - a studio for on-air and production use has been installed. Due to the wonders of a horse truck, the RDUnit also can convert into a stage. With sidewalls that can fold down, an instant platform for live-to-airs and small shows can be easily created.

Now completed and fully functional, the RDUnit will bring live, pop-up events to the earthquake-affected communities of Christchurch and will broadcast remotely by taking advantage of wireless technologies.

This project would not have been possible without the tireless and generous support of:

SNAP – Christchurch-based ISP SNAP has been critical to the project, and has been our long-term Internet partner. When we start broadcasting remotely, it will all be thanks to SNAP who we think are just awesome.

NZ On Air – who part-funded the station and have provided additional financial assistance for the mobile broadcasting unit. We look forward to making and sharing stories about Cantabrians post-earthquake.

Recover Canterbury – who has provided us with some essential funding for this project, for which we are enormously grateful.

Where can I follow the RDUnit?
At our brand new website, www.rdu.org.nz.
The new site will feature a blog especially for the Unit, and we’ll be posting daily updates.

Many thanks and big ups.
-RDU98.5FM

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