MP takes up fight against pirate radio station

An MP has taken up the fight to stop a pirate radio station stealing the airwaves from a popular Greek radio station in Haringey (North London).

Listeners of London Greek Radio are frustrated by interruptions from pirate radio station dost.fm illegally broadcasting on a nearby frequency.

After “endless” complaint letters Hornsey and Wood Green MP Lynne Featherstone met with regulator the Office for Communication (Ofcom) to discover what action is being taken to shut down the pirate broadcasters.

Chris Stylianou, manager of Cypriot Community Centre in Earlham Road, Wood Green, said: “A lot of people have been complaining about not being able to listen to the station. Anything that interferes with other stations should be shut down. It is not right, simple as that.”

Since January Ofcom has taken out 18 enforcement actions to stop dost.fm broadcasting, which resulted in 22 days of downtime since March.

The MP was told by Ofcom that radio piracy hits Haringey particularly hard as close to a third of the capital’s pirate stations are located within the borough.

Full story: http://www.london24.com/news/mp_takes_up_fight_against_pirate_radio_in_haringey_1_968234

(Source: London 24)

Fri July 22

3905: Skyline International Radio. "I Like to Teach the World to Sing" @ 2035. Strong signal. SINPO 54444.

4015: Laser Hot Hits. Simon & Garfunkel song @ 2053, good signal with strong peaks. SINPO 54444.

6295: Radio Black Arrow. ID and greetings @ 2037, song by Propaganda. Fair signal. SINPO 34333.

6295: Radio Powerliner. Calling Black Arrow (who had just closed down) @ 2200, asking for QSO. Good signal with strong peaks. SINPO 44433.

6305: Radio Altrex. Soft rock and cow sounds, using 30W, fair signal. SINPO 34333.

6305: Radio Moonlight. "Everybody Loves Saturday Night" @ 2155, fair signal. SINPO 34333.

6375: Trans Europe Radio. Dire Straits @ 2010, strong signal. SINPO 54444.

6510: Radio Pink Panther. Tom Jones "Delilah" @ 2022, greetings to listeners, fair signal here. SINPO 34333.

6930: Irish Music Radio. Moby song @ 2143, links between songs by DJ Karen. Fair-good signal, some fading. SINPO 44433.

6940: Laser Hot Hits. New frequency, song "Gold Dust Woman" @ 2140. Good signal with strong peaks. SINPO 44433.

Tues July 19

4015: Laser Hot Hits. Jon & Vangelis track @ 1905. SINPO 44433.

6305: Radio Alice. German song @ 1825, good-strong signal. SINPO 44433.

6945: Laser Hot Hits. "Heaven Must Be Missing An Angel" @ 1819. Strong signal but co-channel QRM, utility noise. SINPO 52442.

6960: Atlantic Radio. Pretenders "Back on the Chain Gang" @ 1815. Strong signal. SINPO 54444.

Pirate uses silent Sky Radio frequency in SE Drenthe

A pirate radio station in south east Drenthe (The Netherlands) made good use of the radio silence over the weekend caused by the collapse of the tower at Hoogersmilde last Friday. After many stations went off the air, the pirates took over the frequency of Sky Radio to broadcast their own playlist.

According to the pirate station, the collapse of the mast was a perfect opportunity to play music never heard on Sky Radio: schlagers and ‘pirate hits’. To make it sound authentic, the pirate station used Sky Radio jingles. The pirates have now stopped their actions to allow the real Sky Radio to return to the air in the region.

Full story: http://blogs.rnw.nl/medianetwork/pirates-use-silent-sky-radio-frequency-in-se-drenthe

(source: Radio Netherlands Media Network)

Mon July 18

4015: Laser Hot Hits. Gibson Brothers "Cuba" @ 2045. Good signal. SINPO 44433.

6290: Radio FSM. Rock music @ 1800 and IDs, weak signal with utility QRM. SINPO 23332.

6290: Radio Festivum. Commodores "Three Times A Lady" @ 2030, recorded IDs. Good-strong signal but occasional utility QRM. SINPO 44433 to 54444.

6305: Unid. Non-stop Dutch music, heard @ 2150, bad audio. SINPO 44432.

6325: Radio Altrex. Boomtown Rats "Don't Like Mondays" @ 1735, weak signal. SINPO 24332.

6945: Laser Hot Hits. Reading reception reports @ 1545, song "Sunscreen." Weak-fair signal. SINPO 24332.

6960: Atlantic Radio. Joy Division "Love Will Tear Us Apart" @ 1535. SINPO 34333.

Sun July 17

4015: Laser Hot Hits. Jesse J Song @ 0910, giving out email address. SINPO 34333.

5800: Radio Geronimo SW. Dave Scott reading reception reports, Apache song @ 0900. Fair signal. SINPO 34333.

5815: Orion Radio. Song by Heart @ 0745, fair signal with good peaks. SINPO 34333.

6200: Radio Orang Utan. Queen "I Want to Break Free" @ 0750, SINPO 34333.

6220: Bogusman. Midnight Oil song @ 0850, talking about women driving cars. SINPO 44333.

6220: Radio FSM. ID and rock music @ 1733, testing compressor. Fair signal. SINPO 34333.

6255: Radio Caroline Int. "Smoke on the Water" @ 2115, sudden off 2117. SINPO 44433.

6280: Cosmic Radio. Ambient music, ID and said signing off @ 2028, audio on the low side SINPO 34333.

6290: Radio Borderhunter. U2 "Sunday Bloody Sunday" @ 0950, ID jingles. Good signal but some fading. SINPO 44433.

6301: Radio Bonofox. ID and music @ 0845, weak signal. SINPO 24332.

6305: Radio Marconi. Polka @ 1425, fair signal. SINPO 34333.

6324: Radio Zodiac. ID and email address, signing off @ 2109, good to strong signal. SINPO 44433. Heard on 6306 @ 2119 testing. SINPO 44433.

6325: Radio Altrex. Weak signal today, music just audible through noise. SINPO 24332.

6385: Radio Underground. Talk about Radio Rockefeller, greetings, Eagles "Hotel California" @ 2020. Fair signal. SINPO 34333.

6425: Radio Universe. Giving out email address, Blondie "Call Me" @ 0755. SINPO 34333.

6510: Radio Pink Panther. Oldies @ 1740, weak signal not helped by utility QRM. SINPO 23332.

6930: Irish Music Radio. Lady Gaga "Born this Way" @ 1752, good signal. SINPO 44433.

6945: Laser Hot Hits. Paul Stuart show. Morrissey "I'm So Sorry" @ 0830. SINPO 44333.

6960: Atlantic Radio. "Hang on Sloopy" @ 0834. SINPO 44433.

Sat July 16

3905: Radio Wilskracht. Talk in Dutch, greeting chatters, country music @ 2147, SINPO 34333.

4015: Laser Hot Hits. Steely Dan "Do It Again" @ 0835, SINPO 34333.

6220: Crazy Wave Radio. Rammstein @ 2103, followed by ID. Fair signal. SINPO 34333.

6255: Radio Baken 16. Black Sabbath @ 0857, fair signal with good peaks. SINPO 34333.

6290: Radio Caroline Int. Music heard @ 2100, weaker signal tonight, ID through PIrate Chat. SINPO 24332.

6295: Misti Radio. Paulina Rubio songs @ 0850. Weak signal. SINPO 24332.

6304: Cosmic Radio. ID jingle, instrumental music @ 1745. Strong signal, sudden off (fade out?) at 1751. SINPO 54444.

6305: Radio FSM. Talk and IDs heard @ 1450, music, but quite weak signal. SINPO 24332.

6307: Radio Marconi. "Spirit in the Sky" @ 2042, strong signal. SINPO 54444.

6315: Trans Europe Radio. First time on air for a few weeks, oldies @ 1445, weak signal. SINPO 24332.

6320: Skylab Radio. Dutch music and jingle ID and email address @ 1435. SINPO 34333.

6375: Radio Dr Einstein. Country music @ 2055, strong signal. SINPO 54444.

6510: Radio Pink Panther. "Caravan of Love" @ 2142. Fair signal. SINPO 34333.

6553: Radio Galaxy. Pop music @ 2125, but not recognise song. Weak-fair signal, not the UK Galaxy. SINPO 24332.

6925: Radio Bluestar. Bruce Springsteen "Born in the USA" @ 2110, then Dutch song. SINPO 54444.

6930: Irish Music Radio. The LAs "There She Goes" @ 1420. Fair signal. SINPO 34333.

6945: Laser Hot Hits. Dance music @ 0820. SINPO 34333.

6960: Atlantic Radio. Rock music @ 0830. SINPO 34333.

9510: Radio City via IRRS. Bobby Goldsboro "Hello Summertime." Good signal with strong peaks. SINPO 54444.

Fri July 15

3905: Skyline International Radio. Country music @ 2205, fair-good signal. SINPO 34333.

4015: Laser Hot Hits. The Searchers "Goodbye My Love" @ 2300. Fair-good signal. SINPO 44333.

6220: Unid. The Fratellis "Chelsea Dagger" @ 2153. Good signal. SINPO 44433.

6220: Bogusman. Talking about hunting round record stores @ 2230, song by Curve. Unid above was probably warming the transmitter up. SINPO 44433.

6291: Radio Caroline Int. Clear IDs and pop music @ 2208. Fair signal with good peaks. SINPO 34333.

6305: Radio Marconi. The Clash "Should I Stay or Should I Go" @ 2149. Good signal with strong peaks. SINPO 44433.

6315: Radio Moonlight. Blues music @ 2312, utility splash. SINPO 33333.

6325: Radio Mustang. Queen "I Want to Break Free" @ 2145. Strong signal. SINPO 54444.

6326: Radio Caroline Int. ID jingles, dance music @ 2304. SINPO 34333.

6375: Radio Fox 48. Oldies @ 2140, fair signal. SINPO 34333.

6375: Radio Doc Einstein. Dance music @ 2245, unfortunately on top of Fox 48. SINPO 54444. Moved to 6390 @ 2249, some utility QRM. SINPO 53443.

6420: Radio Black Bandit. Country music, usual strong signal @ 2158. SINPO 54444.

6510: Radio Pink Panther. "Dancing on a Saturday Night" @ 2213. Fair signal. SINPO 34333.

6930: Irish Music Radio. "Lean on Me" @ 2225. SINPO 44433.

6945: Laser Hot Hits. The Beatles @ 2220. Good signal but some SSB QRM and fading. SINPO 43333.

6960: Atlantic Radio. The Stranglers "Always the Sun" @ 2216, strong. SINPO 54444.

Thurs July 14

3900: Radio Baken 16. "Man of Action" @ 2212, Madness song. Fair-good signal. SINPO 44333.

4015: Laser Hot Hits. Dance tune from The Full Intention @ 2024. Good signal, some fading. SINPO 44433.

6291: Radio Caroline Int. ID jingle and music @ 2010, sudden off 2011. Fair signal. SINPO 34333.

6295: Radio Bravo Sierra. Dutch songs @ 2210, off 2215. Fair-good signal. SINPO 34333.

6305: Radio FSM. IDs and 60s music @ 1810, weak-fair signal. SINPO 24332.

6420: Radio Black Bandit (tent). Non-stop country music, heard @ 1950, very strong signal. SINPO 54444.

6945: Laser Hot Hits. Tony James show. Walker Brothers @ 1955, then Roger Hodson song. SINPO 44433.

6960: Atlantic Radio. Man and woman chatting and discussing strange stories in the news @ 2005, strong signal. SINPO 54444.

Rinse FM rapped over use of F-word

London community radio station Rinse FM has been found in breach of the Ofcom code for repeatedly broadcasting songs featuring the F-word.
The station – which targets 15 to 24 year olds with an interest in urban music – hadn’t apologised on air following a ten-minute period that included five uses of the expletive.
A listener, parent to a 12 year old boy, complained to Ofcom about the prevalence of offensive language in songs broadcast by the station, giving the afternoon of 30 March 2011 as an example when her son had been listening.

Full story: http://radiotoday.co.uk/2011/07/rinse-fm-in-breach-for-f-word-in-songs/

(Source: Radio Today)


Rinse FM operated as a pirate for 15 years in London but was given a license to operate legally last year and went on air as a community station in February. There is also a response from the general manager of Rinse FM on the Radio Today story.

Wed July 13

4015: Laser Hot Hits. Tune by Air @ 1955, reading messages on station's guestbook. SINPO 44444.

6305: Radio Alice. Simon & Garfunkel "Mrs Robinson" @ 1933, good-strong signal. SINPO 54444.

6305: Radio Merlin Int. ID and reggae @ 2225, fair-good signal. SINPO 34433.

6420: Radio Mustang. "Don't Let Him Go" @ 1928, ID, then "Voyage Voyage." Strong signal, slightly over modulated. SINPO 54444.

6945: Laser Hot Hits. Simple Minds "Someone, Somewhere in Summertime" @ 1005, weak-fair signal. SINPO 24332.

6960: Atlantic Radio. Them "Gloria" @ 0955, Abba "SOS", ID jingle at top of the ID. Fair signal. SINPO 34333.

Mon July 11

4015: Laser Hot Hits. Four Tops @ 2040, fair signal. SINPO 34333.

6290: Radio FSM. Dance music @ 1935, weak to fair signal. SINPO 24332.

6301: Unid. Instrumental electro music @ 1955, utility QRM. Fair signal. SINPO 33333.

6945: Laser Hot Hits. Gibson Brothers song @ 1945, then Human League "Don't You Want Me." Good signal, some fading. SINPO 44433.

6960: Atlantic Radio. "Somebody's Watching Me" @ 1950, then Billy Joel song. Fair signal. SINPO 34333.

Sun July 10

3900: Polaris Radio. Iggy Pop "The Passenger" @ 2212. fair signal, parallel with 6255. SINPO 34333.

4015: Laser Hot Hits. Dusty Springfield song @ 0815. Fair signal. SINPO 34333.

5815: Orion Radio. Instrumental music, IDs and talk @ 0807, Dutch song. SINPO 34333.

6220: Radio Black Arrow. Darude "Sandstorm" @ 1822, said signing off. Fair signal. SINPO 34333.

6255: Polaris Radio. In parallel with 3900 but weaker @ 2213. SINPO 24332.

6288: Radio Powerliner. Starship "We Built this City" @ 2220. Fair signal. SINPO 34333.

6304: Radio Marconi. Dutch music and ID @ 1850. SINPO 34333.

6375: Radio Dr Einstein. OMD "Joan of Arc" @ 1810, fair signal, with good peaks. SINPO 34333.

6390: Radio Rockfeller. Instrumental music @ 1755, almost an hour before ID came. SINPO 34333.

6510: Radio Pink Panther. Signals fading in now, oldies @ 1900, fair peaks. SINPO 24332.

6930: Irish Music Radio. "Ain't Gonna Bump No More" @ 1907, good signal with some fading. SINPO 44433.

6945: Laser Hot Hits. Rap and dance music @ 0920, weak signal with fair peaks. SINPO 24332.

6960: Atlantic Radio. "There's A Ghost In My House" @ 1835, followed by jingle ID. Good-strong signal. SINPO 54444.

Sat July 9

4015: Laser Hot Hits. Kraftwerk "The Model" @ 0748, fair signal but deep fades. SINPO 34333.

6220: Radio Foxfire. ID @ 1630, dance music, weak signal with occasional fair peaks. SINPO 24332.

6240: Radio Grolschman. Madonna "Borderline" @ 2055, ID. Weak signal with occasional fair peaks, some utility QRM. SINPO 23332.

6290: Radio Rainbow. ID heard @ 2000, music, weak signal with utility QRM. SINPO 23332.

6300: Radio Vendor. Instrumental music and ID @ 1750, good signal with strong peaks. SINPO 44433.

6300: Radio Powerliner. "Mexico" song, ID @ 2049, strong signal. SINPO 54444.

6310: Radio Bravo Sierra. ID, Abba "Fernando" @ 2027. SINPO 34333.

6310: Radio Fox 48. Weak-fair signal @ 2110, music heard through the noise. SINPO 24332.

6320: Delta Radio. Dance music @ 2005, "Stay" then "Scatman." ID jingle. SINPO 34333.

6375: Radio Dr Einstein. New station from Holland, good signal. "Smoke on the Water" @ 2020. SINPO 44433.

6419: Studio 52. ID @ 1753, giving email address, polka. Some utility splash. SINPO 33333.

6450: Radio Lowland. Billie Jo Spears "Blanket on the Ground" @ 2010, followed by ID and greetings. Strong signal. SINPO 54444.

6510: Radio Pink Panther. Sixties music @ 1758, fair signal. SINPO 34333.

6930: Irish Music Radio. Mamas & The Papas "California Dreaming" @ 1810. SINPO 44433.

6945: Laser Hot Hits. Craig David song @ 0745. SINPO 34333.

6960: Atlantic Radio. Blues music @ 0755, good signal. SINPO 44433.

Fri July 8

3905: Skyline International Radio. Abba "SOS" @ 2215, fair signal. SINPO 34333.

4015: Laser Hot Hits. Mike Andrews show. Songs by Adele then Heart @ 2255. Strong signal. SINPO 54444.

6220: Radio Caroline/Rainbow. ID jingles and dance music @ 2245. SINPO 34333.

6255: Polaris Radio. Fair signal @ 2155, oldies. SINPO 34333.

6288: Radio Powerliner. Polka @ 2205, then German song, only using 7W. SINPO 34333.

6305: Radio FSM. ID and rock music @ 2225. SINPO 34333.

6315: Radio Caroline/Rainbow. IDs and music @ 2150, fair signal. SINPO 34333.

6325: Delta Radio. Report for Black Power @ 2200, Killing Joke "Love Like Blood." SINPO 44433.

6390: Radio Lowland. Alice Cooper "Poison" @ 2220, ID, then Eagles "Hotel California." SINPO 42432. Moved to 6420 @ 2223. SINPO 43433.

6510: Radio Pink Panther. Gary Puckett & The Union Gap "Young Girl" @ 2210. Fair signal. SINPO 34333.

6930: Irish Music Radio. Simple Minds "Don't You Forget About Me" @ 2237, female DJ with "IMR" ID. SINPO 54444.

6945: Laser Hot Hits. "With or Without You" @ 2232, reading emails, co-channel SSB QRM. SINPO 43433.

6960: Atlantic Radio. Phil Collins & Phillip Bailey "Easy Lover" @ 2228. Good signal with strong peaks. SINPO 44433.

Wed July 6

3930: Radio Batavia. Men At Work "Down Under" @ 2053, followed by jingle ID. Weak-fair signal. SINPO 24332.

4015: Laser Hot Hits. Coldplay "Yellow" @ 2100, fair signal. SINPO 34333.

6220: Radio FSM. IDs and pop musc @ 1920, some SSB QRM. Fair signal. SINPO 33333. Heard on 6238 @ 2000, ELO "Living Thing." SINPO 34333.

6255: Radio Baken 16. Greetings to listeners @ 2040, rock music, ID and email address. Good solid signal. SINPO 44444.

6280: Radio Borderhunter. Theme tune "On The Border" @ 1915, talking about photos from summer meeting. Good-strong signal. SINPO 44433.

6285: Radio Powerliner. Baccara "Sorry I'm A Lady" @ 2035, mention Borderhunter. Strong signal. SINPO 54444.

6390: Radio Lowland. Dutch song @ 1935, ID and talking about new studio. Good-strong signal. SINPO 44433.

6945: Laser Hot Hits. Song "Edge of Glory" @ 2045. Good signal with strong peaks. SINPO 44433.

6960: Atlantic Radio. Jingle ID, "We Have All the Time in the World" @ 1930. SINPO 54444.

Tues July 5

4015: Laser Hot Hits. Kraftwerk "The Model" @ 1900, fair signal. SINPO 34333.

6305: Radio Marconi. Dutch music @ 2015, then ID @ 2015. Fair signal. SINPO 34333.

6315: Radio Caroline Int. Jingle IDs @ 2020, sudden off during song @ 2021. SINPO 34333.

6945: Laser Hot Hits. Mike Andrews show. Orchestral Manoeuvres in the Dark "Electricity" @ 2040. Good signal but quite fady. SINPO 44433.

6960: Atlantic Radio. New Order "60 Miles Per Hour" then jingle ID @ 2028. Strong signal. SINPO 54444.

Mon July 4

4015: Laser Hot Hits. Kool & The Gang "She's Fresh" @ 2054, then joke version of "American Pie." Good signal. SINPO 44433.

6295: Top Radio. Jingles giving ID and email address @ 2045, Dutch music. Fair-good signal. SINPO 34333.

6305: Radio Powerliner. The Beatles "I Am The Walrus" @ 2025, ID and email address. Strong signal. SINPO 54444.

6945: Laser Hot Hits. Dance music @ 2040, strong signal but co-channel utility QRM. SINPO 53443.

6960: Atlantic Radio. Robbie Williams song @ 2035, ID jingle. Strong signal. SINPO 54444.

The inside story of a pirate station's success

In 1985, KISS FM had been just one of many illegal pirate radio stations in London playing black music that had been largely ignored by licensed broadcasters. By 1989, KISS FM had won an FM radio licence to broadcast legally to the whole of London, having fought off dozens of competing bids from some of the biggest names in broadcasting and industry. By 1991, KISS FM was attracting an audience of one million listeners a week, making it one of the most successful radio station launches in British broadcasting history.

The inside story of how a small London pirate radio station was transformed into one of Britain’s most successful youth brands is uncovered in this book. KISS FM’s remarkable trajectory was the culmination of a long-running campaign for a black music radio station in London that had been started in 1970 by soul music pirate station Radio Invicta. Also documented in this book is the determination of the government and commercial radio industry to rid Britain forever of pirate radio, and the abject failure of their desperate efforts.

KISS FM: FROM RADICAL RADIO TO BIG BUSINESS

AUTHOR:  GRANT GODDARD

More information: http://www.radiobooks.org/

Sun July 3

4015: Laser Hot Hits. Abba "Gimme Gimme Gimme" @ 0850, poor signal. SINPO 24332.

5815: Orion Radio. "Yesterday Man" @ 0750. Far signal. SINPO 34333.

6140: MV Baltic Radio. The Doors "Let It Roll" @ 0945, then "Riders on the Storm." Fair-good signal. SINPO 34333.

6200: Radio Orang Utan. Heard @ 0757, said signing off soon, M "Pop Music." SINPO 34333.

6220: Radio Caroline/Rainbow. Music heard @ 2005, difficult reception tonight. SINPO 24332.

6255: Polaris Radio. "Why Can't You Tell Me" @ 2213, then ID, thanks for greetings. Good-strong signal. SINPO 44433.

6288: Radio Powerliner. Sixties music @ 2220, fair signal, some utility QRM. SINPO 33333.

6300: Summer Meeting Radio. Still going strong, Deep Purple "Smoke on the Water" @ 0803, Bruce Springsteen "I'm on Fire." SINPO 34333.

6305: Radio Underground. Talk about feeling tired, electro music @ 1955. SINPO 44333.

6310: Summer Meeting Radio. Now running on second transmitter, heard @ 0920, slightly weaker than 6300. SINPO 34333.

6310: Radio Malaisy. Bros "I Owe You Nothing" @ 1700, jingle ID, off 1706. SINPO 34333.

6315: Radio Marconi. Heart "Crazy on You" @ 1950, then "Dancing the City." Good signal. SINPO 44433.

6320: FSM Radio. Dance music @ 1728, fair signal. SINPO 34333. Moved to 6305 @ 1735, still 34333.

6420: Radio Lowland. Rock n roll @ 1707, IDs and greetings. Fair signal but some utility splash. SINPO 33333.

6425: Radio Pionier. Blocked by stronger station but in clear @ 1055, IDs and oldies. SINPO 34333.

6510: Radio Pink Panther. ID and greetings, jingle, then rock music. Fair-good signal, peaking at S9. SINPO 34333.

6930: Irish Music Radio. Andrea True Connection "More More More" @ 2020. Good signal but some fading. SINPO 44433.

6936: Shortwave Radio Malta. Jazz music @ 2010 followed by ID, fair signal. SINPO 34333.

6945: Laser Hot Hits. Dance music @ 0840, fair signal. SINPO 34333.

6960: Atlantic Radio. Bucks Fizz "Land of Make Believe" @ 0825. Good signal. SINPO 44333.