Krissi Carpenter Archives - Irish Pirate Radio Audio Archive

Border series: Donegal pirate WABC returns to the air in 1989 — Paul Barnett (RIP) of WABC pictured c 1991 (courtesy Ian Biggar).

Despite closing down at the end of 1988 like the vast majority of the other pirates, the Donegal station WABC was among those to venture back on air in 1989, where it would remain for a further two years. Continuing our series on this important border station, we publish below an account of WABC’s return courtesy of Ian Biggar.

In early 1989, Paul Barnett [WABC founder, RIP] was talking about a license under what he termed ‘phase 2’. I assume he meant the community licenses which did eventually appear, but not for some years. To keep his hand in, Paul was operating a short wave transmitter on behalf of the Scottish Free Radio Network. However, the temptation was too great and WABC returned to the air on Sunday 3^rd June 1989 on 101.7 MHz with a power of 20 kW. All the old crew like Krissi, Barry Owler, Happy Harry and of course Paul were back and the station often played American radio tapes overnight to maintain a 24-hour service.

I received a letter from Paul dated 1^st September 1989, in which he wrote that the launch of Atlantic 252 had not lived up to his expectations! He said that the 101.7 transmitter was still located in Stroove at 230 feet above sea level. He had upgraded the aerial system with 4×10 element yagis estimating an effective radiated power (ERP) between 35-40 kW. The only drawback was that a couple of local houses could clearly hear WABC on their telephones! I had reported reception of WABC at on high ground on the west coast of Scotland on 98.3 MHz. Paul was surprised at this as it was only a 5 watts mono relay in the centre of Moville atop a 100 foot tower, 150 feet above sea level!

This recording was made shortly before Christmas 1989 and features the end of Paul Barnett’s breakfast show and the start of the lunchtime programme presented by his wife Krissi Carpenter. The musical style is oldies, referred to by Paul as ‘Solid Gold WABC’ and there are generic and branded station jingles. Due to the busy time of year, there are large numbers of adverts for businesses in Counties Derry and Antrim, reflecting the core coverage area and the reluctance of southern businesses to advertise of the pirates due to strict new legislation. The tape was made on 10^th December 1989 between 1045-1215 from 101.7 FM and is courtesy of Ian Biggar. Audio quality is generally good but there is some fading in places.

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Border series: Donegal pirate WABC in 1988 — Paul Barnett (RIP) at WABC in June 1988 (Anoraks Ireland Collection).

Continuing our series on Donegal pirate WABC, today’s recording is from 1988, the last year of the station’s first period on air before new broadcasting legislation was introduced. On 10^th January 1988, WABC was heard on a new frequency of 101.7 FM. The move was due to interference at 107 and the fact that not everyone wanted to tune so high up on the FM dial. Also in January 1988, power on 1242 kHz was noted at about 150w and the studios were said to be in a mobile home about 5 miles from Inishowen Head. The target areas were Derry City, Coleraine and Limavaddy.

On 27^th March, Weekly Report noted WABC on 6300 kHz shortwave as well as medium wave and FM. It added: ‘The station seems bright and lively and must be gaining listeners amongst the younger end in Coleraine and surrounds. Some adverts are noted, and plenty of “Laser-type” jingles’. Around this time, the Sunday World newspaper carried a feature about the station and its first road show which was a success. On 10^th April 1988, the FM transmitter of WABC on 101.7 was reported to have an output of 900w. The main FM was to be moved from the existing site at the studio at about 230 feet above sea level to a new site about 600 feet above sea level so the new signal would cover a much greater area. Reference was made to a recent setback when a number of items were stolen from the station, including a transmitter. On 24^th April, no doubt in response to the new transmitter site, Anoraks UK reported a ‘super signal’ for WABC on FM in Blackpool. On 12^th June, it noted that WABC had moved from Garvagh to Greencastle where their new studios were located. It also reported a new FM transmitter for Derry City on 100.8 and Moville and the Donegal coast on 99.8. Both MW and SW were off air at the time due to a lack of valves.

Our recording was made on a drizzly summer morning and features the end of the Breakfast Club with Paul Bentley (Paul Barnett, RIP), followed by Krissi. There are plenty of tagliners and station idents and adverts for businesses in Co. Antrim. The tape was made on 7^th July 1988 from 101.7 FM between 1019-1105 and is kindly donated by Ian Biggar.