PIRATE RADIO IN CO DONEGAL |
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AN ATTEMPT TO DOCUMENT THE PIRATE STATIONS OF CO DONEGAL
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This page is intended to be the start of a list of radio stations heard across the water here in the UK, from Co Donegal. There are some of the stations that have barely been heard of outside their own local area, yet one or two of the earlier ones actually were heard quite well in the UK both by day as well as at night. Some attempt is also made here to document the various Radio North factions, which is not that simple after so many years have passed. |
EARLY STATIONS
Radio Donegal was heard for the first time in 1980. Frequencies heard were 1600, 1560, and on one occasion seemed to be on 1539ish // 1560. But not only did the MW signals come through. 6240 was strong one particular Sunday, (4 x 1560). There were also harmonics at a different time, on 4800 and 6400 (3 and 4 x 1600). |
DCR was heard in the UK at night on 1410kHz, off channel. This was during the summer months of 1980. One log which has been questioned but sadly can't be backed up by a recording, is reception one night in July 1980 on 1615kHz. This is logged as a test transmission from Donegal Community Radio. |
1985 - 1988 BOOM TIME
NWCR was the first station to come out of County Donegal in a few years. But in November 1985, signals were logged on 1260 initially, before a move to 1296 was made. NWCR eventually settled on 1116, before adding 1008 in //. See NWCR home page for more details and promotional material. |
DCR
broadcast from Letterkenny area in County Donegal. It is unknown if
the station had any connection whatsoever other than in name, to the
former station that was heard in 1980. DCR was pretty settled on 945kHz
from 1986 until 1988. More information and photos are available on
the Donegal Community Radio home page. |
Radio
North began life on 1386 briefly in late 1986, followed by a change
to 1404kHz. It was first noted in the Anoraks UK Weekly report as
launching on Tuesday 18th November 1986, after a period of testing.
More info on Radio North and various pieces of promotional material
can be found via their home page. This faction of Radio North continued
up until the 31st December 1988. |
AFTER THE 1988 BROADCASTING BILL - (1989 ONWARDS)
Riverside 101 started life as a small time FM pirate station after Frankie of Riverside left Triangle Night Time Radio to set up. The station went from strength to strength and eventually achieved such a polished and professional sound, it ranks up there in the favourite radio stations of all time. More details and promotional material can be found on the Riverside 101 page.
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