6225kHz / 6268kHz / 6275kHz
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CAPITAL RADIO SW: Capital Radio had been a name heard on the Dublin wavebands for a number of years. This particular incarnation could be heard on the shortwave bands and first broadcast during the first half of 1981 and was operated by Aidan Hughes. The station was actually named Capital Radio International and was one of the many Irish shortwave stations operating on a Sunday morning during the 1980's. It put out a powerful signal, usually on 6268kHz, although the 1981 QSL card shown lower down this page was for the frequency of 6275kHz. For a time, Capital Radio International operated from the Radio Valleri site, where the photos here were taken.
Mike Anderson can be seen on the air in the photograph above. In the same room and to his right was the transmitter. Also note the Radio Caroline Annual lying in front of the transmitter. Many thanks to Derek Jones of Radio Valleri for the use of the photographs.
Capital Radio International was off the air for a number of years, but made a surprise return in the early 1990's. Again, Aiden Hughes operated the station initially on 6225kHz, but then returning to 6268kHz. Tragedy struck, when Aiden was involved in a traffic accident, and although he survived, it is believed he never fully recovered. He carried on broadcasting, flying the free radio flag, signing off one Sunday lunchtime as normal announcing the station would be back the following weekend. Unfortunately it never returned, as Aiden passed away during the week. |
| 1981_10_25_sun_capital_6268sw_0810signon_aidenhughes.wav New Apr 2022 | A short recording (in wav format) from the station's early days featuring a Sunday morning sign on with Aiden Hughes just after 8am. Recorded in Leeds from 6268kHz. | 2.9MB |
| 1992_06_07_sun_capital_6225sw_1200-1230signoff_aidenhughes-gh996.mp3 New Apr 2022 | Aiden Hughes with the last 30 minutes up to sign off, from a Sunday broadcast in June 1992. Aiden mentions they had been on air since 8am, and their next broadcast would be on Wednesday night 10th June until 4am. He also mentioned about a two colour QSL card and a history sheet telling the story of the 11 or 12 years of Capital Radio. Unfortunately we do not cuurently have these in our collection. Recorded near Blackpool from 6225kHz. There are one or two crackles, and the usual shortwave fading. The recording is left on after sign off and you can hear the transmitter switch off after a short period. | 30.6MB |
| 1992_09_13_sun_capital_6225sw_1100-1230signoff_johnrichmond_aidenhughes-gh282.mp3 New Apr 2022 | This recording of Capital Radio International was made near Blackpool from 6225kHz. John Richmond and Aiden Hughes are heard with part of the 'Magazine Programme' which has a feature on the history of receivers and also from their archives, a recording of Commnity Radio 257 from 1983. Aiden Hughes signs the station off at 1230. The signal has the usual fading of shortwave signals and some other strange noises and crackling. There is also some splatter at times from another station to the side. Mention is made that Capital and Jolly Roger Radio were the only Irish stations on shortwave that day, as Mr Ozone was not on. The recording is left on after sign off and you can hear the compressed audio feed to the transmitter turn off after a short period. | 85MB |
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