RADIO CAROLINE NORTH - Wireless Waffle Site

THE OFFSHORE CHUNK

RADIO CAROLINE NORTH

Frequencies: 199 metres, 259mtrs

On air: July 1964 - March 1968

I did not have a transistor radio, or even knowledge at the age of 13 that such a powerful new broadcasting medium had started at sea. Not until February 1964 when my parents treated me to the GEC transistor radio which is featured in the introduction section of the site. Initially the Caroline I head in the South was from this ship.

It sailed for the North of England when Radio Atlanta on the Mi Amigo merged with the Caroline organisation. There is a recording of this in my personal archive and it is hosted by one of my favourite Caroline Broadcasters and chief DJ Tom Lodge.

Unlike Radio Scotland it was only possible to hear transmissions in the South around 11pm to Midnight, or early mornings. A show which received high accolades in Disc and Music Echo, a great pop paper of the time, was the "Midnight Surf Party".

This was hosted my Jim Murphy who was nicknamed "Murph the Surf".

I also recollect that Tony Prince started his broadcasting career on Caroline North. I cannot remember my joy when Tony eventually transferred to Caroline South and brought his bright style of broadcasting to our shores.

I was at a boarding school for the blind in Worcester, west midlands England) at the time Radio Atlanta became Radio Caroline and the voyage round the British coast from Essex to the Isle of Mann was undertaken whilst still broadcasting.

The major interest was how the reception waxed and waned in Worcester, which is towards the west of the Country but pretty far in land.

Don't I also remember Tony Windsor ('hello!) being the chief jock on Atlanta. It was he who introduced us to the Polidor EP of Beatles tracks featuring 'Ain't She Sweet' which no one else ever played. His introduction was:

"Ladies and Gentlemen - The Beatles!"

Ho Ho!

best wishes

Rory Heap

(aged 15 at the time).

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