Radio Marabu

Radio Marabu first began broadcasting in 1984, and is still going in 2012, although these days it is via licensed relays. Here is a short clip of Marabu from 1986. You can find out more about the station on their website at: http://radio-marabu.de/



(0.58 min)

Radio Orion, UK

When Radio Orion launched in 1986 it became the first 7-day free radio shortwave station. Among those involved was the late Paul Johnson of UK Radio. Here is a clip of him on Orion in July 1986.



(3.35 mins)

There is much more about Orion and more audio recordings on the Pirate Archive's UK Radio page.

Radio Universum

Here is a recording of Radio Universum from Germany signing off, the recording was made in early 1986.



(1.41 mins)

Radio Private

Radio Private was a German free radio station broadcasting in the mid-80s. This clip is of the station relayed via Radio Rainbow in Ireland in early 1986.



(2.52 mins)

Falcon Radio

Now for a short recording from the UK station called Falcon Radio, made in early 1986.



(0.58 mins)

Radio East Coast Commercial

Another popular UK land-based station from the 1980s was Radio East Coast Commercial, run by Norman Nelson. Here is a clip of the station signing off in March 1986.



(3.54 mins)

Sound of Sweden

The Sound of Sweden was on the air for 10 years from Sweden and via relays. Here is a clip from their 10th anniversary show in 1985, relayed by Radio Delmare. The Free Home Scandinavia website says SOS was not heard after 1985 so this could well have been their last broadcast.



(2.51 mins)

Radio Liberty Sound

This is a recording of French pirate Radio Liberty Sound, with a New Year's Eve broadcast in 1985. The QSL is from Fritz-Walter's huge collection, with thanks. You can see more of his QSLs at http://www.radio-eulenspiegel.eu/



(3.04 mins)

Pirate Freaks Broadcasting Service

This is a clip from the Pirate Freaks Broadcasting Service (PFBS), signing off then calling CQ to Weekend Music Radio, recorded in late-1985.



(1.02 mins)

Anoraks UK Weekly Reports

The operator of the excellent DX Archive web site has been busy downloading copies of the Anoraks UK weekly reports onto his website. This carried free radio logs and news, in days long before the internet. You can now read copies from 1983 to 1989 at this link: http://www.dxarchive.com/press_anoraks_uk_index.html

Radio Scorpio, Germany

Here is a recording of German free radio station, Radio Scorpio, made in late 1985.



(1.47 mins)

Radio Pamela

Radio Pamela was a UK station broadcasting around the mid-80s. Here is a recording made in November 1985. The QSL said they were using 1.5kW.



(1.14 mins)

Riverside Radio

Here is a clip from Riverside Radio from Ireland, making its first transmission in 1985, using only 5W. QSL from the DX Archive website.



(2.21 mins)

Kiwi Radio, New Zealand

This is a recording of Radio Kiwi from New Zealand, relayed on medium wave (1094 kHz) by Radio Torenvalk, made in September 1985. The operator is heard talking about problems the station has been having in New Zealand. The station was previously known as Radio Freedom.




(6.15 mins)

Radio Skywave International

Here a couple of recordings from another Irish station called Radio Skywave Int, heard in mid-1985.






(1.03 & 0.45 mins)

Radio Tutenchamun

Radio Tutenchamun was a German station, heard via Radio Delmare in 1985.



(2.11 mins)

Solar Radio, London

Solar Radio was another of the dance-orientated stations that sprung up on the FM band in the 1980s, having been formed after some of the DJs left Horizon to set up their own station. Here is a clip from 1985.




(2.14 mins)

Radio Big Lizard

There have not been many free radio stations coming out of France. The most well-known is probably Radio Waves Int which is still going today. But here is one from 1985 called Radio Big Lizard which only broadcast a few times a year.



(4.30 mins)

Torenvalk, Woodpecker and Waddenzee

Here are clips from three Dutch pirates from 1985. Torenvalk was recorded in 1094 kHz medium wave while Woodpecker and Waddenzee were heard on shortwave.

(1:36 mins)

(1:18 mins)

(1:18 mins)

Radio Shamrock

Here is a short recording of another Irish station, Radio Shamrock, made in mid-1985.



(1.06 mins)