Radio Caroline is back!

[Glow worm]

Probably one for the radio anoraks only - but Caroline is currently testing on 648khz am (the old BBC World Service medium wave frequency). Getting a whopping signal here.
Will be great at long last to have a decent alternative listen than all the bland commercial stuff currently available and on a 'normal' radio too.
Feels weird- it's the first time I've ever listened to a UK music station since November 1990 when Caroline last broadcast from the North sea. Would be interested if anyone else can hear the station (tx location believed to be Stowmarket).

 

[Drago]

Are they Tx'ing from land or sea?

 

[Glow worm]

The tx is at Mickfield near Stowmarket. A 3kw rig I believe though they are limited to one kw by Ofcom. There is a mast aboard the ship (now anchored on the Blackwater estuary, Essex) but with diesel costs and other difficulties the logistics make it much harder to broadcast from the ship. A friendly landowner has given a field for the transmitter and mast. Some programmes will come from the ship.

 

[bruce1530]

According to their license application, they will be transmitting from grid reference TM 144 607, which is a farm near Stowmarket, about half way between Ipswich and Norwich. They’re on 648kHz, with 1000W ERP.

Studio is in Strood, with the potential for some content to come from the Ross Revenge

If anyone’s cycling in the vicinity of the transmitter, take a camera and post us some photos. I’d be interested to see the antenna. I’m guessing it’ll be pretty big... (I used to run an AM transmitter of similar power)

 

[Glow worm]

According to their license application, they will be transmitting from grid reference TM 144 607, which is a farm near Stowmarket, about half way between Ipswich and Norwich. They’re on 648kHz, with 1000W ERP.

Studio is in Strood, with the potential for some content to come from the Ross Revenge

If anyone’s cycling in the vicinity of the transmitter, take a camera and post us some photos. I’d be interested to see the antenna. I’m guessing it’ll be pretty big... (I used to run an AM transmitter of similar power)

I'm hoping pics will appear here fairly soon. The engineer was looking at something similar to the BBC Hereford and Worcester array on 738khz. Have a look at that as it's on that site. Something else may have popped up of course!

 

[sight-pin]

http://www.radiocaroline.co.uk/#home.html

 

[Mrs M]

Sister and I listened to Stuart and Ollie on a Sunday night

 

[albion]

https://radiotoday.co.uk/2017/06/radio-caroline-allowed-1kw-tx-on-648-am/

'proposed a coverage area from Ipswich to Diss and Bury St Edmunds to Saxmundham. Some programmes will be broadcast from studios in Kent, and others via a link to the Ross Revenge ship'

 

[Pale Rider]

It appears Ronan O'Rahilly is still with us, although now suffering from dementia.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ronan_O'Rahilly

 

[Welsh wheels]

Probably one for the radio anoraks only - but Caroline is currently testing on 648khz am (the old BBC World Service medium wave frequency). Getting a whopping signal here.
Will be great at long last to have a decent alternative listen than all the bland commercial stuff currently available and on a 'normal' radio too.
Feels weird- it's the first time I've ever listened to a UK music station since November 1990 when Caroline last broadcast from the North sea. Would be interested if anyone else can hear the station (tx location believed to be Stowmarket).

Who?

 

[Glow worm]

Who?

I did say one for the radio geeks WW!
Anyway as I'm sure you are aware - BBC Radio Wales 'next door' on 657khz will batter anything on 648 where you are !

 

[bruce1530]

According to their license application, they will be transmitting from grid reference TM 144 607, which is a farm near Stowmarket, about half way between Ipswich and Norwich. They’re on 648kHz, with 1000W ERP.

... although rumour is that the transmission may have been relocated to the former BBC world service site at Orfordness

 

[Accy cyclist]

Way before my time. I can remember Radio Luxembourg though. I wonder if Radio Caroline will use the old theme tune?


View: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FTG7-qaStnI

 

[Glow worm]

... although rumour is that the transmission may have been relocated to the former BBC world service site at Orfordness

Yes rumours growing the transmitter is Orfordness. It would certainly explain the v. good reception reports from BE and NL.
Still a great signal even this far inland now, with bearable co-channel interference from those pesky Slovenians.
My wife, unfortunately has had enough already. I think it was the test tones that did it. Spare room for me tonight

Caroline is back. Feels like Christmas has come early.

 

[Deleted member 1258]

Way before my time. I can remember Radio Luxembourg though. I wonder if Radio Caroline will use the old theme tune?


View: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FTG7-qaStnI

Happy memories, I listened to Radio Caroline in the 1960's as well as Radio Luxembourg.