Border series: Radio North religious service Gospel 846

Border series: Radio North religious service Gospel 846
QSL for Gospel 846/AWR from 2001 (courtesy Ian Biggar).

During its almost 40 years on air, Donegal pirate Radio North has broadcast religious programming at various times, either as a part of its main output or as separate services broadcasting on AM or FM only. In 1989, it had ambitious plans for an FM station called Gospel 98 but after only a few months, this offshoot closed following a storm in March 1990. Around the turn of the millennium, another religious service called Gospel 846 was launched, using the original AM frequency while the main country music service continued on FM. The change was introduced by Paul Barnett (RIP), who took over Radio North in 1998 along with the American Mike Dobbins (RIP), ushering in a more tightly formatted diet of American country music on FM along with opt-out religious programming at certain times of the day on AM.

Border series: Radio North religious service Gospel 846
A poster from 2001 for Radio North, highlighting religious shows. The Gospel 846 name had been dropped by that time (courtesy Ian Biggar).

Gospel 846 was reported by the British DX Club in 2000 as a subsidiary of Radio North broadcasting religious material. There are references to Gospel 846 on various websites up to the late 2010s but it appears that a distinct separate service ceased in 2001, when Paul Barnett decided to put his original Donegal pirate WABC back on the air on FM frequencies then being used by Radio North (103.9 and 104.4). Paul had previously run WABC from 1987-1991, apart from a 6-month break following the introduction of new broadcasting legislation in 1989. After the revival of WABC, religious programming became a more integral part of Radio North itself as all the output was then on AM only. The station did not return to FM due to raids by the Department of Communications on pirates in the northwest at that time. Details of the religious shows can be seen in the flyer above from 2001.

A letter and QSL of Gospel 846 (see above) received by Ian Biggar in 2001 were issued by Adventist World Radio, an international Christian broadcaster that was paying Radio North for the output. Although there are no separate religious services today, both Radio North and fellow AM pirate Radio Star Country in Monaghan rely heavily on religious programming for income.

This recording of Gospel 846 was made between 1117-1217 on 4th November 1999 and features part of a gospel music programme presented by Mark Fleming. Unlike Radio North itself, there are no adverts but the show is sponsored by a business in Derry and a PO Box number in Limavady is given as an address for requests and dedications. The tape was made by Ken Baird in Ayrshire in Scotland and is courtesy of Ian Biggar.

Border series: test transmission by Gospel 98 FM

Border series: test transmission by Gospel 98 FM
Gospel 98 promotional poster (courtesy Ian Biggar).

Gospel 98 FM was a short-lived offshoot of Donegal station Radio North and an example of the long-standing religious programming on the station itself or on related services. It began broadcasting on 11th December 1989 from Shrove Head outside Greencastle on the Inishowen Peninsula. A promotional poster described the new station’s aim as promoting ‘vibrant, joyful, biblical Christianity’ over the airwaves. Gospel 98 was to be controlled and staffed by committed Christians who aimed to produce short bible studies, youth programmes and programmes for older people. The station’s ethos was described as non-denominational but also Evangelical Christian and it was envisaged that programmes would be sponsored.

This short recording is of a test transmission the day before Gospel 98 went on air and features music interspersed with recorded messages. The station was to broadcast from Monday to Saturday from 1500-1900 and promised gospel music and ‘lively content’. The tape was made in Lancashire on Sunday 10th December 1989 from 97.8 FM during an FM lift and is courtesy of Gary Hogg. Thanks to Ian Biggar for the image. Audio quality is fair and characterised by fading as to be expected some distance from the transmitter.

On 2nd March 1990, the Donegal Democrat reported that Gospel 98 had been put off the air by a storm the previous weekend. In a letter to Ian Biggar on 6th March 1990, Francis Callaghan of Radio North wrote that Gospel 98 had been broadcasting between 1500-1730 every day and relayed Radio North at other times. He said that it would be off the air for at least a month due to the storm but in fact the FM station seems never to have returned. There does not appear to be a direct link with Gospel 846, an AM religious service linked to Radio North that was set up in 1999 when the main station moved to FM only.

Sunday morning shows on Radio Nova

Sunday morning shows on Radio Nova
Nova carsticker from the 819 days (courtesy Ian Biggar).

This recording of Dublin super-pirate Radio Nova was made in the winter of 1983, six months after the raids that put it and the other main Dublin station Sunshine Radio off the air temporarily. By this time, Nova had resumed high-powered AM broadcasting on 819 kHz after equipment seized in the raid was returned following a court case. This gave it greater penetration into the west coast of Britain, an area that would be included in its weather forecasts to reflect the expanded listening area. The recording begins with the final few minutes of the religious programme Life is a Celebration, followed by news read by David Malone. Next up is Greg Gaughren, who continues to broadcast on the licensed Radio Nova in Dublin to this day. Commercial breaks include the usual mix of larger businesses and brands, reflecting Nova’s strong commercial success.

The tape was made near Birmingham from 0950-1030 on Sunday 27th November 1983 from 819 kHz AM. It is from the Leon Tipler Collection, donated to us by Steve England.  

Border series: Radio Star Country relays United Christian Broadcasters

Border series: Radio Star Country relays United Christian Broadcasters
A 1980s view of Bud in western Norway where Radio Star Country was received (courtesy Svenn Martinsen)

Radio Star Country has relied on religious programming since the early 1990s as an income stream. As well as hosting individual gospel programmes, the station has at times relayed other Christian broadcasters. This recording from 1996 is one such rebroadcast of United Christian Broadcasters (UCB) Europe. A postal address in Stoke-on-Trent is announced and Christian music is heard.

The recording was made from 981 kHz from 0717-0723 on 8th March 1996, using a Drake SPR-4 with a 200-metre antenna facing southwest. Audio quality is poor with co-channel interference and splatter from adjacent stations. Thanks to Svenn Martinsen for the donation.

Religious programme on Radio Leinster

Religious programme on Radio Leinster
Radio Leinster sticker from 1983 (courtesy Svenn Martinsen).

Radio Leinster was a specialist Dublin station with an easy listening and talk format in contrast with the diet of pop preferred by most pirates. It broadcast from 29th April 1981 until 19th May 1983, closing down suddenly as panic spread following the raids on super-pirates Radio Nova and Sunshine Radio. Radio Leinster was situated on an elevated site in Sandyford with an excellent view of the city from its studios. The professionally-made 1 kW transmitter on 738 kHz (406 metres) gave good coverage by day but suffered co-channel interference after dark.

This short recording from Sunday 13th September 1981 features part of a religious programme presented by Fr. Michael Conaghty, who reads headlines from the Catholic Universe. Some of Radio Leinster’s distinctive interval signals are also heard. The clip was recorded in Malahide, north Co. Dublin and is from the Leon Tipler Tapes Collection, donated to us by Steve England.