Radio Caroline North and Manx Radio

It is being relayed on the pirate station in Dundalk on 1494, about 5 seconds ahead of 1368. This is a low power station which only covers a few miles radius of Dundalk. It usually transmits old pirate recordings.

I listen in every month and from the sound of reaction on air,the comments on the Caroline facebook page, and the bookings for visitor trips out to The Ross, it seems to me that the ship based broadcasts are increasing in popularity. Helped, no doubt by the publicity received from the award of the AM licence for 648Khz the various event anniversaries and also, sadly, Ronan's recent passing.

Caroline in general would seem to be gaining listeners with their presence online, on AM and on DAB in the UK. It's not 50kw from the north sea, but they are doing alright at the moment and good luck to them.

P.S are you the real Neil Gates?

RINO87 wrote: »

I would be one of those... this thread always reminds me when its going to be on.
I listen to caroline anyway on-line, and its relayed in Cork from time to time on FM, but its cool to tune in on AM when its there.

Can you receive the Manx relay in Cork?.
Here in Wicklow, 1368Khz is sounding well, particularly after the most recent renovation and power increase. I have heard the 648Khz signal too, but only at night, in the deep dark winter, and even then it was just about there.

One of my fondest radio memories was hearing a signal from The Ross on it's first day of broadcasting in 1983. In the days before internet, I was tipped off by a UK radio contact that the ship was in position, earlier that week. I heard UK radio reports during the first day saying that the station was on air, but daytime reception wasn't possible in Dublin. Then, night fell and the music rolled in on 963Khz - the first voice I heard was Tony Gareth (Gareth O'Callaghan). He had dropped off the Dublin radio scene and had been working in the UK for a while.

While running at full power of 50kw, Caroline was easily received at night in Dublin, unfortunately though night-time programming on the main rig switched to USA religious programming (Oral Roberts) when additional frequencies were added on board.

The next opportunity for offshore reception in Dublin was in the mid 80's when Laser 558 launched. When they eventually managed to get a bit of power out of their always inadequate antenna system, you could hear them in Dublin, but only very late at night and when RTE radio one closed down.

Fun times.... and topped off in 2004 when some of us Phantom FM heads made a pilgrimage to The Ross Revenge when it was in Tilbury port for the station's 40th anniversary. We were on board for the birthday broadcasts and for an access all areas tour of the ship by our colleague Steve Conway, who was the last man winched off the deck when the ship ran aground in 1991. She was only partly restored at the time and the general public only got access to the safe parts - we however were brought down to the impressive dirty and dangerous engine room (an amazing sight).

It was a great experience but it was sad to see the great ship broadcasting with a temporary station licensed power output of only 1 watt on AM. Luckily 'supporters' around the UK and Europe organised pirate AM and FM relays of the webstream, to mark the occasion. I remember that there were AM relays operating over that weekend in Dublin and Waterford putting out far more power than was radiating from the ship.

If you ever get the chance to head out to the Blackwater for a look, be sure to take it.

Caroline is also being relayed Sunday 20th by the Dundalk pirate on 3905 kHz. Good signal on the Irish SDR's.