“Once upon a time…” this is how almost every story begins. However the RCM story starts a little different. In its origin there is a great motivation and an enormous desire to complete a Radiophonic Project, in service of the regionalism.

And this way in 1985, the adventure is born, taken through by two radio amateurs: Dr. Joaquim Manuel da Fonseca (ex-speaker of Radio Altitude da Guarda and the ex- Timor Oficial Broadcaster).  Asked by Dr. Joaquim Fonseca Mr. Reinaldo Pedro Ramos Serra, (Electricity technician), with rudimentary and artisan ways Mr. Reinaldo constructs a small Modulated Frequency sender, which goes on air in experimental period on 8th and 9th of June, already under the emblematic designation of Radio Clube de Monsanto. From there until the regular broadcasting it was quick; these began precisely on the 14th of August 1985.

Radio Clube de Monsanto was constituted later, as a Cooperative, through Public Writing in Penamacor´s Notary’s Office on the 28th of April 1987, with its head office in Monsanto (Idanha-a-Nova´s Region) and whose statutes had been published on the 17th of September 1987 in “Diário da República” III series.

Citing its Statutes

“The RCM purpose is to create and to keep, in the terms of law, a broadcasting Radio Station in Monsanto, with regional characteristics".

As it was normal with the local radios, RCM by this time didn’t have a license, what makes us to silence the senders on the 24th of December 1988 at midnight, in fulfilment to the law. The coming back only happens five months later for great joy of our listeners, now fully legalized RCM goes back on air, funny enough on the 8th of June 1989. And it’s from that moment on that it starts to broadcast in Modulated Frequency, 98,7 Mhz, sterero/RDS under the license 20231 and the indicative CSB 652 and since the year 2000 also with the 107.8 MHZ (Termas de Monfortinho)

In the 23rd of May 1996 the sender is honoured, by Mr. Prime Minister, with the Diploma of Public Utility Institution.

RCM broadcasts, since 1990, twenty four uninterrupted hours per day, being its programming, in general terms, characterized by the priority given to Portuguese music and our traditional values.

RCM  also has sponsored the main sporting, social and cultural events in the region of Idanha-a-Nova, its microphones have also been made available to, society, institutions and city councils to promote their events, claims and projects, with independence, exemption and pluralism.

The safeguard and promotion of the historical, tourist and natural potentialities of the Beira Interior Region was always the priority.

Through the years and always with the voluntary and generous affiliation fee of many listeners, we increased and improved the RCM activities, with the implantation of our own premises, new production studios and broadcasting centres,  computerization of internal services, outside broadcasting, new antennas, etc…

The fact that RCM was audience district leader was also a great stimulation; this was proven with a nationwide study, made by a professional company, Marktest, ordered by Social Communication State Government Secretary.

It’s in this scope, despite the human and financial lack that the desire to continue and specially to make better seems to surge. The path doesn’t end here, never the less it followed a new route: Castelo Branco.

Castelo Branco´s Modern Production Centre, was officially inaugurated on the 20th of January 2005, and it counts on more than twenty specialized collaborators, whom are a great value to the Radiophonic aims of the Radio Station from the “Most Portuguese Village”, which has been a popular singular case.

Today RCM is synchronized by thousands and thousands of listeners and friends spread through Beira Baixa, Beira Alta, Alto Alentejo and Spanish Estremadura, and recently by friends from the whole world, who contact us thanks to this wonderful new form of communicating that is transforming our planet into a “global village” The Internet.!

RCM has proven: that the interests and the aspirations are always possible to be associated to the tradition and to the culture without forgetting the History, but fighting always for new accomplishments, that contribute for progress, the same progress that makes life less difficult and more beautiful, in these so forgotten lands, of this deep interior, where despite all there are very good people wanting to live and resist, so Portuguese People’s History and identity will never be lost.
To find out more about RCM HISTORY

See “PRESS” – National and local newspapers (1985-2005) and “Photo Gallery”