Dublin Archives - Page 20 of 85 - Irish Pirate Radio Audio Archive

6th November 20236th November 2023

Radio Nova broadcasting on longwave

One of the characteristics of the super-pirate Radio Nova was its high-powered broadcasts on medium wave aimed at listeners in Britain. By 1985, the station was broadcasting 50kW of power on 738 kHz AM and reaching cities such as Liverpool and Manchester but the frequency was prone to interference at night. Longwave – capable of covering larger distances and using a less crowded band – seemed like an option to reach Britain more effectively and was tested by Radio Nova in late 1985 and early 1986.

Nova began broadcasting on 254 kHz on 6^th December 1985, relaying the main service on 738 kHz. The audacious move was noted by the Media Network programme on Radio Netherlands International but the initial broadcasts were intermittent and on low power. Signal strength improved in the first fortnight in January 1986 but no mention of longwave was made on air and it is likely that few listeners were aware of the broadcasts. Separate longwave broadcasts did not begin until 28^th January, when Nova was relayed until 1400, followed by a programme presented by Chris Barry until 1800. The same schedule continued for the following two days until the transmitter was switched off on Thursday 30^th January at around 2215. It is estimated that power output was in the region of 15 kW at the time. The reason for the switch-off of longwave is not known but Nova was by this time in deep trouble and would close down completely on March 19th.

254 kHz (later 252) was the longwave frequency allocated to Ireland by the International Telecommunication Union and would later be used by the joint RTÉ and Radio Luxembourg venture, Atlantic 252 (1989-2002). Atlantic 252 broadcast from Co. Meath but was aimed at the UK market and covered most of the British landmass with its 500 kW of power. From 2004 to 2023, RTÉ used the frequency to broadcast Radio 1 into Britain, but power was reduced significantly in later years and there were problems with co-channel interference from an Algerian station.

This recording of Radio Nova on longwave was made in the English midlands on 22^nd January 1986 from 254 kHz between 1254-1326 and is a relay of the main service. It features the usual high-level adverts from agencies and for large businesses and the ABC Network News is presented by Bob Gallico and Sybil Fennell. After the news, Electric Lunchtime is hosted by Tony McKenzie. The recording is from the Leon Tipler Tapes Collection, donated to us by Steve England, and background information is courtesy of DX Archive.

30th October 202330th October 2023

October bank holiday 1985 on Q102

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This recording of Dublin super-pirate Q102 was made on bank holiday Monday 1985, eight months after the station had entered the capital’s competitive radio market. It includes a syndicated show by the US ABC Radio Network, featuring the band Huey Lewis and the News who were enjoying chart success at the time.

There’s the usual mix of commercials for medium-sized and large businesses in the city. News on the hour is read by Martin O’Neill, aka Niall Martin, who would go on to have a career as an RTÉ journalist. The syndicated show is followed at midday by John Kenny, who would become an RTÉ sports journalist.

Part 1 above runs from 1054-1139 and Part 2 below from 1142-1227.

Part 2 from 1142

The tape was made on 28^th October 1985 from 102 FM and is from the Anoraks Ireland Tapes Collection, donated to us by Paul Davidson.

23rd October 202322nd October 2023

Nails Mahoney on Sunshine 101

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Bee Bop Gold was a hugely popular oldies show broadcast on Dublin super-pirate Sunshine Radio towards the end of its eight-year run on air, by which time the station had been rebranded as Sunshine Hot Hits 101. The presenter was Nails Mahoney, who would go on to have a successful radio and television career in Ireland, the UK and Canada, including on longwave giant Atlantic 252.

This tape features a special late-night bank holiday edition of Bee Bop Gold, featuring hits from the 1950s, 60s and 70s. An animated Nails Mahoney takes requests from listeners on air and promotes a competition. The show is sponsored by health supplements company Seven Seas and commercial breaks contain high-level agency adverts indicating the commercial success of Sunshine 101. There are several references to a radio survey in 1988 that put the station first in Dublin, an achievement that is also centre-stage in the advertisement above.

Our recording was made from 101 FM on 30^th and 31^st October 1988 between 2307 and 0037. It is courtesy of John Breslin.

18th October 202318th October 2023

Late-night love songs on Heartbeat FM

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Heartbeat FM was a popular 1980s Dublin station specialising in love songs. It was launched in November 1986 and was rebranded as Cara FM the following year, before reverting to Heartbeat because its audience preferred the original name. The station closed down at the end of 1988 to comply with new broadcasting legislation. The love song format proved highly popular and was used by some pirates that continued into the 1990s including Radio Dublin.

This recording was made towards the end of the station’s run and features Ian Turner’s evening show with plenty of requests from loyal listeners and a remind that Heartbeat is the most listened to specialist station in Dublin according to the latest radio survey. Ian is followed by Maurice Nevin (RIP) with his Radio Late show until the early hours. The tape was made between 2135 and 2305 on 11^th November 1988 from 95.5 FM and is courtesy of John Breslin.

16th October 20238th October 2023

Late night shows on Dublin’s Super Q

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Dublin super-pirate Q102 was relaunched as ‘Super Q’ in the summer of 1988, just a few months before the vast majority of pirates left the airwaves for good. The new format was introduced by US radio consultant Bill Cunningham, who had previously revamped Sunshine Radio as ‘Sunshine Hot Hits 101’ in 1986. Following the closure of Energy 103 in March 1988, Q102 and Sunshine became the largest and most successful Dublin pirates, capitalising on advertising revenue before the radio sector was legalised. Q102 closed down on 30^th December.

This recording is from the last autumn of Q102’s four-year stint and features a flavour of late-night programing. First up is Tom Brown ending his show before midnight. He is followed by Mike Duggan on the overnight slot until 0600. Given the time of night, there is little talk and no adverts, but arguably the sound is less engaging than Q102 before the rebranding, when the station had an iconic jingle package and friendly on-air style.

The tape runs from 2345-0115 on 16^th and 17^th October 1988 and was made from 102 FM. Thanks to John Breslin for the donation.