THE BBC'S FIRST TRANSMITTER IN NORTHERN IRELAND WAS LOCATED HERE [EAST BRIDGE STREET]

Note the GPS information attached to my photographs is incorrect as the Fuji GFX100RF was not communicating with my iPhone ... this known problem is discussed below.

The BBC's first official radio station to broadcast in Northern Ireland was 2BE Belfast, which commenced transmissions on 15 September 1924.

While the studios and offices for 2BE were situated at 31 Linenhall Street in Belfast, the actual transmitter and aerial were located at the Corporation Electricity Station on East Bridge Street. This separation of facilities was common in early broadcasting, with the aerials often needing the height provided by existing structures like power station chimneys. The aerial itself was described as a "sausage" type, with its ends supported by the two tall smoke-stacks of the generating station. The initial broadcasts used a wavelength of 435 metres (689 kHz).

This pioneering station laid the groundwork for public broadcasting in the region. In March 1936, the original Belfast transmitter at East Bridge Street was superseded by a more powerful facility at Lisnagarvey, which broadcast on a wavelength of 307 metres (977 kHz). The service had been renamed the Northern Ireland Regional Programme in January 1935. Following World War II, this evolved into the Northern Ireland Home Service, eventually becoming BBC Radio 4 Northern Ireland. Today, the direct successor to 2BE is BBC Radio Ulster.

The existence of a blue plaque on East Bridge Street specifically commemorating the transmitter's location is a testament to its historical significance in the development of radio in Northern Ireland.

the BBC's 2BE Belfast in September 1924 was not the very first radio service on the island of Ireland.

Early Wireless Telegraphy (late 19th - early 20th century): Guglielmo Marconi, with his Irish connections through his mother, conducted early experiments in Ireland. A notable early use was a wireless telegraphy link between Rathlin Island and Ballycastle in 1898 for Lloyd's, demonstrating early radio communication.

Easter Rising Broadcast (April 1916): A significant event in Irish history involved a Morse code transmission from the General Post Office (GPO) in Dublin by the rebels during the Easter Rising on 25 April 1916. This is widely considered the first broadcast in Ireland, specifically for its communicative intent to a wider audience, informing the world of the declared Irish Republic. While not "broadcasting" in the modern sense of entertainment or public information programming, it was a pivotal use of radio for public dissemination.

2BP - Ireland's First Licensed Radio Station (August 1923): Even before 2BE Belfast, there was 2BP, which operated as Ireland's first licensed radio station. It broadcast for three days from 14-16 August 1923 from the Royal Marine Hotel in Dún Laoghaire. This was a temporary, experimental, but licensed broadcast, offering local voices and Irish music, and is seen by some as the true precursor to regular radio in the independent Irish Free State.

2RN - First Regular Public Broadcasting in the Irish Free State (January 1926): The first regular public broadcasting station in the newly formed Irish Free State was 2RN Dublin, which officially began broadcasting on 1 January 1926. This station, the forerunner of today's RTÉ Radio 1, was established by the Irish Post Office.

Therefore, while 2BE Belfast was the BBC's first station in Northern Ireland and a significant step for public broadcasting in that region, it was preceded by earlier, albeit more limited or historically specific, radio activities on the island.

The Issue: Stale or "Power-On" GPS Data

When a camera like my Fuji GFX100RX is set to acquire GPS data via a Bluetooth connection to a smartphone (using the FUJIFILM Camera Remote app), a common problem is that the camera may only log the location at the moment it establishes the connection or is initially powered on. If the connection is lost or the phone's GPS isn't actively updating, or if the camera simply isn't set to request frequent updates, the recorded GPS coordinates in the photos' EXIF data can become "stale" or static, reflecting an earlier location rather than the current one.

Why this Happens:

Battery Saving: Constant, real-time GPS polling consumes significant battery power on both the camera and the smartphone. To conserve power, cameras and their companion apps might default to less frequent updates or only grab the initial location upon connection.

Bluetooth Connectivity: Bluetooth connections can be intermittent, especially if the phone is in a pocket, moving, or encountering interference. If the connection drops, the camera loses its source of updated GPS data.

App Settings: The FUJIFILM Camera Remote app, while providing location services, might not be designed for continuous, high-frequency updates in all scenarios. Some users report needing to keep the app open and active on their phone for consistent tracking.

Camera Settings: While the GFX100RX itself doesn't have a built-in GPS receiver, its firmware manages how it requests and integrates location data from the smartphone. There might not be a specific "GPS update interval" setting directly on the camera that you can explicitly control for continuous, real-time updates. The camera largely relies on the data provided by the connected app.

Solutions/Workarounds:

Keep the App Active: Ensure the FUJIFILM Camera Remote app remains open and running in the foreground or background on your smartphone while shooting.

Check Phone Location Settings: Verify that your phone's location services are enabled for the FUJIFILM Camera Remote app and set to "Always" or "While using the app" as appropriate for continuous updates.

Maintain Proximity: Keep your smartphone close to your camera to maintain a strong Bluetooth connection.

Re-establish Connection: If you move significantly, it's often a good idea to check the connection status in the camera or app and, if necessary, disconnect and reconnect to force an updated GPS lock.

Third-Party Geotagging Apps: Many photographers who require highly accurate and continuous GPS data opt for dedicated third-party geotagging apps (e.g., "Geotag Photos Pro" or similar) on their smartphones. These apps log a GPS track independently of the camera, and then you can later synchronise the track with your photos based on their timestamps using desktop software like Lightroom. This method eliminates the camera-to-phone connection dependency during shooting.

The experience I have described is definitely a known limitation when relying solely on Bluetooth tethering for GPS, especially for photographers who move frequently between shots.