Radio North sticker after the move to 846 (courtesy DX Archive).
This is another early recording of the long-running Donegal pirate Radio North shortly after its launch in the winter of 1986. On air is ex-Voice of Peace DJ Mark Warner with a morning musical mix of folk, oldies, country and some pop. The first adverts for local businesses are aired in the busy pre-Christmas period. An advertising promo for the station mentions businesses in Northern Ireland, where Radio North always had a following. News is read by former Radio Caroline DJ Ian Akers.
The recording was made on 9th December 1986 from 98 FM between 0918-1020. Radio North also broadcast on 1404 kHz AM at this time, before moving to the clearer frequency of 846 kHz in 1987. Thanks to Ian Biggar for the donation.
We’re delighted to launch a new strand in our border series, this time focusing on one of Ireland’s longest-running pirate stations, Radio North from Co. Donegal. Broadcasting under various names more or less continuously since 1986, Radio North continues to operate today on 846 kHz AM and online. The station was launched on 18th November 1986 from Carndonagh on the Inishowen peninsula, a short distance from the border with Co. Derry and throughout its almost 40-year existence, has aimed at listeners in Northern Ireland.
The arrival of Radio North was reported by Anoraks UK in its Weekly Report of 23rd November, which referred to the ‘radio explosion’ in Donegal such was the number of pirates based there. Anoraks UK said the station was easily audible on 1386 kHz in Blackpool during early morning skywave conditions but was swamped by foreign stations after dark. Within 3 days, the frequency had changed to 1404 kHz which improved daytime listening but was still prone to night-time interference. Among the better-known names in the line-up were Australian Mark Warner, who had done a stint on the Voice of Peace, and English DJ Ian Akers, formerly of Radio Caroline. There was an hourly news service from 0800 to 1800 and 3 FM frequencies were also noted (the main one on 98.1 with link frequencies on 100.1 and 103).
The Weekly Report of 30th November noted that although 1404 kHz was an improvement, night-time interference was still audible even within the service area. Reflecting the crowded AM band of the 1980s, it added: ‘Clearish night-time channels are just about nonexistent, and at this time of year, interference can be terrible at times, even a few miles from the transmitter’. In 1987, Radio North moved to the vastly superior frequency of 846 kHz, where it remains to this day. In a letter to Ian Biggar in January 1987, Mark Warner wrote that he had joined Radio North because the owner wanted someone with experience to run the station. However, Mark did not have confidence in the owner and moved to a rival Donegal station, Northwest Community Radio, before the end of 1986, following a botched attempt to takeover Radio North.
Our first recording was made just a few days after the launch of Radio North and features Ian Akers presenting a drivetime show with a mixture of country and pop music. The postal address of Bridge Street, Carndonagh is read out and there are several requests from listeners. News is read by Mark Warner but there are no adverts. The recording was made 23rd November 1986 between 1600-1649 from 98 FM and is courtesy of Ian Biggar. Audio quality is mostly good but there are crackles in places as if from electrical interference.
Undated photo of Gareth O’Callaghan at Radio Nova (courtesy Noel Hiney)
Gareth O’Callaghan was one of the most popular and professional DJs of the pirate era and continues to broadcast on independent radio to this day. In this recording from summer 1986, he winds up his evening drivetime show on Dublin station Energy 103, not long after it emerged from the ashes of Radio Nova in the spring of that year. Gareth has a television teaser for listeners and refers to the Queen concert coming up in Slane that weekend. News is read by George Long (Henry O’Donovan, RIP).
Gareth’s show is followed by Tony McKenzie presenting a syndicated programme in the 7Up Music Machine series, featuring British rock band Supertramp in a live concert in the US. Reflecting the sponsorship deal, many adverts refer to 7Up and the Music Machine albums. The tape is from the Anoraks Ireland Collection and was recorded from 103 FM from 1834-1922 on Wednesday 2nd July 1986.
Treble TR Christmas card from 1985 (Anoraks Ireland Collection)
Treble TR (sometimes written TTTR) was a country and Irish pirate station broadcasting from Dublin from the spring of 1981 until the end of 1988. The station began on 945 kHz AM, announcing 317 metres, adding FM from 1983. A second AM frequency on 891 kHz was added in 1987. Initially based in Rathfarnham near Radio Nova, TTTR later moved to Harold’s Cross south of the city centre. It closed down on 30th December 1988 in line with new broadcasting legislation.
Other side of Christmas card from 1985 (Anoraks Ireland Collection).
This recording was made as TTTR entered 1986. First up is Conn O’Mahoney who shares plenty of New Year’s requests from listeners around Dublin. He signs off at midnight and hands over to Dave Stewart who picks up the pace a bit, although the music is still country in style. Adverts are heard from small and medium-sized businesses around town.
The tape is from the Anoraks Ireland Collection and was made from 99 FM between 2343-0030 on 31st December 1985 and 1st January 1986.
1986 advert for Energy 103 from Health & Beauty magazine including Gareth O’Callaghan (Anoraks Ireland Collection)
Energy 103 quickly made inroads in the competitive Dublin radio market after it emerged from the ashes of Radio Nova in the spring of 1986. This recording is of popular DJ Gareth O’Callaghan presenting the drivetime show on a balmy summer evening in 1986. The show includes gig and event guides, a teaser, birthday slot, weather forecasts from Dublin and across Europe and the usual agency adverts associated with Energy 103. Gareth O’Callaghan continues to broadcast on Irish radio to this day.
The recording was made from 103 FM from 1805-1853 on 7th July 1986 and is from the Anoraks Ireland Collection.
