Radio West offices in 1987 (courtesy Andy Carter).
This recording of the weekly Radio West Anoraks’ Show dates from summer 1987. Presented by station boss Shaun Coyne and Don Allen (RIP), it begins with a discussion of surveys of pirate radio listenership. Radio West’s new AM frequency is about to go live on 711 kHz in Galway and there are plans for a promotional campaign in the city and county. In other news from Galway, WLS is off the air following a dispute. Other stations mentioned include KTOK in Donegal, Longford Community Radio, Kandy Radio, Power 102 and the new pirate Independent Radio Mayo. There is also speculation about forthcoming changes in the Irish media landscape as the government discusses licensing of independent radio and television.
The partially airchecked recording is from the Anoraks Ireland Collection and was made from 702 kHz AM on Sunday, 28th June 1987 from 1045-1145.
KLAS Radio began test transmissions in April 1991 on 828 kHz, although initially it announced 819 kHz. The test announcements were made by Lynsey Shelbourne (Dolan), who later went on to present programmes. The station broadcast from Carrickroe, Co. Monaghan, a site that had been used by other local pirate Radio Star Country in the past. The transmitter was said to be that formerly used by Cavan Community Radio running at around 800 watts, and was located in a van next to the aerial mast. The station ran a format of pop, oldies and country music, announcing a correspondence address in Aughnacloy, Co. Tyrone.
Postcard of Aughnacloy as sent by KLAS to Ian Biggar.
Reverse of postcard from KLAS.
In a letter in March 1992, presenter Michael Barry stated that the Department of Communications had not bothered the station at that point and that the owner was very careful not to take advertising from County Monaghan which was licensed station Northern Sound’s ‘patch’. As far as we are aware KLAS Radio did not receive any attention from the authorities. The station seemed to be reasonably successful despite the close competition from Radio Star Country.
ICB logo (courtesy Ian Biggar).
The Anorak Show on Kiss FM Dundalk on 26th December 1993 stated that KLAS Radio finally called it a day on Tuesday 22nd June of that year. It was stated however that there were rumours that the site would reactivate ‘in the next couple of weeks’. The site did reactivate, but not until January 1994 when 828 kHz carried a relay of United Christian Broadcasters (UCB) from satellite. This service seemed to be known as Vision 828. It continued for many years, moving to 864 kHz at some point before finally becoming a high power installation on 549 kHz by the mid 90s. It became clear that 549 was operated by an organisation known as Irish Christian Broadcasters, based in Dundalk and headed by among others the late David Robinson, a former owner of Radio Star Country. The service continued until 2006 when ICB received an instruction from Comreg to cease transmissions on 549 kHz. By that time the power used was reputed to be in the region of 25 kW.
This recording of KLAS Radio was made from 828 kHz between 1419-1552 on Monday 13th May 1991 and features Lynsey Shelbourne on air. Thanks to Ian Biggar for the station history and recording.
Radio West’s AM site at Tyrrellspass in 1987 (courtesy Andy Carter).
This recording of Radio West from summer 1987 begins with the end of Don Allen’s easy listening programme just before the weekly Anoraks’ Show presented by Don and Radio West boss Shaun Coyne. There are the usual letters from listeners, one asking for an exchange of pirate recordings and another providing a report from Dublin. From Scotland, Jock Wilson of Radio Stella International is looking for someone to operate a 200w shortwave transmitter in Ireland and is interviewed on the programme.
Shaun Coyne comments on the busy pirate scene in London where raids take place a few times a week. He also announces that Radio West is to return on high-powered FM in Dublin and is planning to install a transmitter in Galway. There are round-ups from around the country and a promise to publish an anoraks’ magazine, which never materialised. A promo for Anoraks Ireland is voiced by David Baker.
The recording from the Anoraks Ireland Collection was made from 702 kHz AM on Sunday 21st June 1987 between 1045-1145 and is partially airchecked. There is some cassette wobble at the start and reception is consistent with a daytime groundwave signal as heard in Dublin.
This edition of the Radio West Anoraks Show from Mullingar was made just as legislation to legalise radio in Ireland was brought before the Oireachtas. The topic dominated the discussion on the show that week, with station boss Shaun Coyne giving his views and co-presenter Neil McLeod struggling to get a word in. Leading Cork station ERI is reported to be upgrading its studios in the hope of getting a licence under the new regime and Radio Nova is poised to make a high-profile return in Dublin. There is also an interview with Eddie Caffrey of Boyneside Radio, who speculates that pirates along the border could be raided because of the addition of high-powered transmitters. Shaun Coyne also announces that Radio West will go off the air for a few moments at 1800 that evening in memory of the victims of the Enniskillen bomb, which exploded the previous weekend.
The airchecked recording was made in Britain from 702 kHz AM between 1045-1130 on Sunday 15th November 1987. It is from the Leon Tipler Collection, donated by Steve England.
Some of the Leon Tipler Collection held by Pirate.ie.
This is another recording made by English anorak Leon Tipler during his visit to Ireland in summer 1980. First up is a selection of pirates on AM including Chris Barry on Capitol Radio (1332 kHz), Paul King on Radio City (1164 kHz) and Jason Maine on Radio 257 (1152 kHz). Adverts are heard on Big D (1116 kHz) along with an advertising promo voiced by Bryan Lambert, Big D news and a snippet of what sounds like Mark Boland on Southside Radio (999 kHz). News in Irish on RTÉ Radio 1 on AM is followed by Radio 2 on FM with Jim O’Neill finishing up a live show from Galway, the late Gerry Ryan with the Rock Steady show and Paschal Mooney with Keep it Country. Next up is Late Date with Morgan O’Sullivan on Radio 1 and Nightmoves on Radio 2 presented by Declan Meehan who had come from the pirates and would soon return to them. At the end is part of Dave Fanning’s late night show on Radio 2.
The tape was recorded on 29th July 1980 and is from the Leon Tipler Collection, donated by Steve England.
