ABC Radio International
Click here to hear
ABC Radio London on AM in 1970
Download 309kb or streamed audio!
Click here to hear
ABC Radio London on AM in 1979 Download
187kb or
streamed audio!
Click here to hear
ABC Radio Shortwave in 1979Download 260kb or streamed audio!
Click here to hear
ABC Radio Shortwave 1st day on air streamed audio only!
With the grandiose name of Associated British Contemporary Radio this station has a long and interesting story, though not necessarily a real history, as its gauntlet has been passed to several operators! Beginning in the Romford, Essex area around 1970 with low powered medium wave transmissions, the station remained silent for many years following a raid and the conviction of its operator. It was reactivated in 1979 by three radio enthusiasts, Richard Staines, James Rakocy and Steve Ellis. Transmitting bi-weekly from a privately owned holiday home in Swanley, North Kent(!), the station became popular with radio enthusiasts all over Europe with its clear signal and bright, top 40 and oldies format.
A weekly medium wave service to East London was reactivated on 1116khz during the Autumn and Winter of 1979 but was closed following a major raid, resulting in arrests and the convictions of two members of the staff.
The short wave station closed several months later when the Radio Interference Department once again came close to attempting another raid on the station but ABC Radio was, much to the disappointment of its many listeners, heard broadcasting a dignified final closedown in the summer of 1980.
In March 1982, the callsign ABC Radio was adopted by former members of Radio Zenith, Mercury and Radio Zodiac when the operators relocated to the Irish Republic and a new station began transmitting in south east Ireland. Richard Staines joined the station in 1983. The station flourished for over six years and became highly respected in the Irish radio market. This station finally ceased it's full time operation when the then Minister for Communications, Ray Burke, closed the station and many others like it with the revised 1988 Irish Wireless Telegraphy Act.
The station remained silent until late 1995 when a new station, ABC Power 104 recommenced unlicensed transmissions on FM in Waterford, Ireland and continues to broadcast twenty four hours a day even now. It can even be heard across the world via the web. Although only loosely related to its English counterpart of the early 1970's there is a clear family tree to be drawn.
Not related to the short wave station ABC Europe.
To hear some of the great stations on this web site you'll need to install a Real Player. Click here to download your free copy of the latest version (5.0)
