Tauranga's Village Radio has been cranked back into life.

It went back on air at 10 o'clock yesterday morning with announcer Chris Adams' heartfelt thanks to loyal listeners for their understanding and support.

Village Radio technician and announcer George Stewart and chairman Steve Lambie. Photo by Tracy Hardy.

Village Radio went off air a week ago when a valve cooked from an electrical fault and the transmitter went up in smoke.

Station manager Steve Lambie says Village has borrowed a solid state transmitter.

'I stress it's borrowed and we don't know when they will want it back,” he says.

The long term solution is a $20,000 one. 'That's what it will cost for a new transmitter and I am not sure where we will get that money from. Can you help us?” asks Steve.

'It's certainly money we don't have, so we might have to go cap in hand to keep the station going long term.”

Steve gets emotional about the level of support from Tauranga. He adds: 'Judging by the switchboard at Village Radio we have a lot of listeners out there - extraordinary numbers.

'They were in tears when we went off air and now they're excited we're back.”

'Well, we are all excited.”

Village Radio is totally voluntary and is already strapped for cash.

It struggles to find the $1,200 to $1,300 a month required to meet overheads, including rent they pay to the Tauranga City Council, licensing fees and operational costs.