DX Archives - Page 2 of 14 - Irish Pirate Radio Audio Archive

19th September 202514th September 2025

American Country Countdown on Radio Nova

The American Country Countdown was a syndicated country music show from the US presented by Bob Kingsley, aired by Dublin station Radio Nova in its early days. This recording from summer 1982 is of an early morning broadcast of the show, as heard on AM in Britain. It starts with night-time fading and some interference but the signal improves as dawn arrives. There are adverts for businesses around Dublin, including for brands, and mention of a Nova event at Maxine’s nightclub. The American Country Countdown is followed at 0600 by Colm Hayes with the first few minutes of his breakfast show.

The recording was made on Thursday 24^th June 1982 from 846 kHz AM from 0407-0610. There are no details on the label but as the tape is from the Leon Tipler Collection, we presume that it was recorded at Leon’s home in Kidderminster near Birmingham. Thanks to Steve England for donating the Tipler Collection to us.

15th September 202514th September 2025

Border series: More oldies on Radio North

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This is another recording of former Radio North manager the late Paul Barnett’s popular morning oldies show on Donegal pirate Radio North. On a sunny autumnal morning, Paul has an electic mix of oldies from across the decades and a quiz with a cash prize up for grabs. Reflecting changing technology, listeners can phone in their answers or send a text. The first correct answer comes from Islay in Scotland, underlining the wide coverage area achieved by Radio North on AM. There are the usual adverts for small businesses in Counties Derry and Antrim, also voiced by Paul.

The recording was made in Scotland on 30^th October 2006 from 846 kHz AM between 0955-1040 and is courtesy of Ian Biggar.

1st September 20251st September 2025

Border series: Radio North at the end of 2002

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This recording of long-running Donegal pirate Radio North was made at the end of 2002. On air is Caroline McDermott with country and Irish music and some oldies. She also shares information about local music and gigs for New Year’s Eve. Adverts are for Northern businesses only. There’s a technical problem with the news at the top of the hour, presumably due to an issue with the link to a syndicated service. A listeners’ quiz with a £500 prize is sponsored by a car business in Derry and Tyrone.

The tape was made in Scotland from 846 kHz AM on 30^th December 2002 between 1345-1515 and is courtesy of Ian Biggar.

25th August 202519th August 2025

Border series: Oldies show on Radio North

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This recording of Donegal pirate Radio North features an oldies show rather than the usual conutry and Irish music long associated with the station. Former station manager Paul Barnett (RIP) is at the helm on a bright but chilly New Year’s Eve, and the professional presentation is reminiscent of his early 1990s station WABC Gold, also based on the Inishowen peninsula. Adverts for Northern businesses only are voiced by Paul and the absence of advertising from Donegal is likely due to a clampdown in the Republic at the time on the pirates and on businesses buying commercials on them.

The recording was made in Ayrshire on 31^st December 2001 from 846 kHz AM between 1000-1130 and is kindly donated by Ian Biggar. Audio quality is generally good with some interference, as would be expected during daytime DX reception at the time of year.

16th July 202514th July 2025

Border series: Radio North rebranded as Radio North 2000

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Radio North 2000 was a shortlived rebranding of the Donegal pirate Radio North as it approached the millennium. The name change was implemented after the station was taken over by Paul Barnett (RIP), who previously ran another Donegal pirate WABC, and American Mike Dobbins (RIP). The format moved away from the previous Irish country music diet and was replaced by American country, oldies and some contemporary. One DJ, Steven Lynch, recalls being unhappy with the new name as it was not clear what the station would be called once the year 2000 arrived. It later reverted to the original Radio North after the departure of Mike Dobbins.

This recording of Radio North 2000 features an unidentified DJ signing off at the end of her evening show, followed by continuous music interspersed with plenty of station liners and adverts, some of which are voiced by Paul Barnett. The music consists of pop and chart hits with some oldies.

The tape was made in Scotland by Ken Baird from 846 kHz AM on 16^th May 1998 from 1942-2112 and is courtesy of Ian Biggar. Thanks to Steven Lynch for background information.