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Cork’s Big Brother Radio adds AM transmitter

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Cork's Big Brother Radio adds AM transmitter

This short recording of Big Brother Radio was made sometime early in 1981 near the beginning of the station’s short run. Big Brother began broadcasting on 88.6 FM but in this recording ‘Philip G’ (presumably founder Philip O’Connor) announces that the station is to add 220 metres medium wave (approximately 1359 kHz) the following Monday. FM broadcasting was still underdeveloped so obviously Big Brother felt that it needed to be AM also. On the same day, the station was to would introduce all-day programming and required additional DJs. The AM transmitter was located at the snooker club in Blackpool but didn’t last long due to a weak signal. Thanks to Pat Galvin for the donation.

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Early evening requests on Cork City Local Radio

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Early evening requests on Cork City Local Radio
Stairs leading to the CCLR studio on French Church Street in 1981 (courtesy DX Archive).

This recording of Cork City Local Radio (CCLR) is of Philip Knight (Johnston) on his early evening show on 24th August 1980 from 1900-1930. The show gives a sense of CCLR’s popularity at this time as there are plenty of requests and the buzz created by the DJ shines through the poor audio quality. There’s even a reference to Radio Luxembourg, which was a big influence on Irish DJs of the time. As the article below outlines, CCLR had plans in 1982 to make its style sound more American and increase its coverage area. However, the arrival of larger pirates such as South Coast Radio and ERI put smaller stations off the air and CCLR closed in late 1983.

Early evening requests on Cork City Local Radio
A 1982 article about CCLR (courtesy Ian Biggar).

This recording is donated by Lillian O’Donoghue.

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Sunday oldies show on CCLR

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Sunday oldies show on CCLR
The CCLR AM transmitter in 1983 (courtesy DX Archive).

This is a recording of part of the Sunday afternoon oldies show on Cork City Local Radio. The presenter refers to himself only as ‘BG’ and promises that the music ‘will make your valves glow or your batteries run low’. Audio quality is poor but there are a few interesting retro jingles. The recording was made from 1600-1630 on 24th August 1980 and is donated by Lillian O’Donoghue.

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Late Night Extra on CCLR

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Late Night Extra on CCLR
Fergus Dalton with Lillian McCarthy in his CBC days (photo courtesy of Lillian).

This recording of Cork City Local Radio (CCLR) is of the Light Night Extra programme presented by Fergus Dalton on Monday 21st July 1980 from 2202-2322. There are plenty of station idents and short comedy segments between records and a special request is played for loyal listener Lillian McCarthy (O’Donoghue). Fergus also previews the following day’s programmes on 261 metres.

Audio quality is poor as this recording was made by placing a tape recorder up against an AM radio. Thanks to Lillian O’Donoghue for the donation.

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Requests and Cork’s Top 20 on CCLR

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Requests and Cork's Top 20 on CCLR
CCLR badge (courtesy DX Archive).

Continuing our series on the Early Cork Pirates, this is a recording of John Dolan on Cork City Local Radio (CCLR) from sometime in 1980. 261 metres is the announced wavelength. Adverts are heard for Keating’s Butchers and Molloy’s Footwear. Lillian McCarthy (O’Donoghue) gets a mention, as John plays his old signature tune from the Cork Broadcasting Company (CBC) for her. The recording of John’s show runs from 1534-1601 and he is followed by Bob Wilson with Cork’s Top 20.

We thank Lillian O’Donoghue for this donation.