Radio Caroline North and Manx Radio

I only managed to hear the last 15 minutes of it last weekend - hopefully I will hear more next time!

You can also access Manx Radio on the Radio Garden platform. Remember that, with the exception of Carnaby Radio which is on both Manx Radio AM and FM, you would need to choose Manx Radio AM for the Radio Caroline North broadcasts. Incidentally, "Radio Caroline AM 648", and various other related incarnations, are also available on Radio Garden. I know from using it that it is best to stick with Manx Radio AM if you want be sure to hear Radio Caroline North broadcasts from the Ross Revenge, as Radio Caroline 648 often has it's own programming during those Radio Caroline North runs.

Also being relayed on 1494 kHz from Dundalk.

Being relayed by the Dundalk pirate on 3905 kHz, massive signal locally. Good signal on most of the SDR's in Ireland, especially North West.

3905 is in sync with the internet stream, but a couple of seconds behind 648 and 1368.

648 and 3905 are the same at 5.30 pm, on my receiver. 1368 is a Manx Radio sports programme.

When I posted at 1.53 pm the three of them were the same. I just checked again at 9.23 pm. Shine on You Crazy Diamond is being played on 648, 1368 and 3905.

Just a note to mention that Caroline in the last few days has implemented the power increase granted to them by OFCOM - believed to be from 1Kw up to 4Kw on their 648Khz from Orfordness.

Certainly coming through much more here in the (Irish) midlands on these winter evenings following the increase. Not "normal listener" quality, but certainly clearly audible at times in the evening.

Steve

Manx have been taking very good care of their AM TX - relatively recently refurbed. At one stage they were thinking of letting it go, but the reaction, particularly to the Radio Caroline North link up, persuaded them not only to continue, but to improve the signal quality and coverage. They currently list the power output as 20Kw and their audio is the best quality you will hear on AM.

The great 1368, ..... '20Kw power, from the middle of the plantation, in the middle of the island, in the middle of the Irish Sea' (as Chris Williams announces on his iconic 'Carnaby Street' programme) - long may it continue. When they are relaying on AM from The Ross Revenge, it reminds me of that first Saturday night in August 1983 when Caroline returned after the sinking of the Mi Amigo ..... the signal rolled in to Dublin on the car radio just as it got dark and I heard Tony Gareth (O'Callaghan) on board The Ross for its first evening on air, giving out the mailing address for reception reports.

It's still great to hear a radio ship broadcasting on AM and I never thought I would still be able to hear that same ship on air in 2022.

Nearly forgot about this weekend run - thanks!

The new lad they have on board, Josh Holmes-Bright, is doing a great job. The station and DJ's are getting to an age where succession plans have to be made and I was wondering how it might sound if younger jocks were brought in to do a presentation by numbers role - without direct connection to the offshore days. Young Josh (16yrs?) has done a great job though .... he fits right in to the Caroline groove and just gets the idea, naturally.

Great to see the 'heritage' studio operating this weekend too, record decks and cart machines fired up again for the first time in many years. I was in that studio in 2004 when a few of us from Phantom accompanied Steve Conway on his first visit back to the ship, since the RAF lifted him off it in 1991. At that time, the offshore era studio was a non functioning museum display with the programmes coming from the adjacent PC controlled studio. The restoration work has been amazing since then, first 'The Overdrive studio' downstairs was restored and now the main offshore era studio is fully functioning - great work by the dedicated volunteer team.

I must make plans for a return trip - from recent pics, even the engine room looks a lot cleaner and safer than when we crawled around it in the gloomy light for an unofficial access all areas tour.

The pic below was taken yesterday as Chris Pearson prepared to go live from the heritage studio.

More pics and updates on their Facebook page, before closedown from the ship at 9pm tonight.

https://www.facebook.com/radiocarolineofficial/

It has improved certainly Ger - Catherine and I went out to the ship for a visit during our honeymoon in 2015 (clearly the ideal romantic getaway location!!) and I was very impressed with how clean and liveable it was compared to when I had last been on board on that visit with you.

It's nice, also, that you have to get to it by boat, adds back some of the authenticity.

Steve

I was about to post the same thing... it would be great to hear you on the air and sea/river waves again. I could easily imagine you doing a night time prog on vinyl from The Overdrive Studio and throwing in a few memories of life on board in the 80's - Just what the 'North' weekends need. Have a word with Mr Foster.

Glad to hear you were back on board too .... and a woman who would take time out of her honeymoon to visit a pirate radio ship, is a rare find ... congratulations 😁