Some of our old boys are keeping a keen eye on the campaign and have offered their support. What's that line from Hotel California? "...you can check out any time you like, but you can never leave..." The legend that is Robbie Dale was first to his keyboard ...
Dear Bob,
I as one of many fans "old boys" will be happy to hear that your campaign has finally proved a success. Radio Caroline will always have a unique status in British radio broadcasting. The period I spent working with many of the greats in UK radio and Caroline in the 60s holds a very special place in my heart.
Times have changed, nowadays the majority of folks listen to so called higher tec, yet many of us purists remain fans of the MW. I wish you all the best and feel sure you will get enough support to run the show.
Greetings from sunny Lanzarote.
Robbie Robinson
AKA (Admiral Robbie Dale BF and Bar retired).
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"Good on MP Tracey Crouch for her campaign for a licence for Radio Caroline & the 60 other MP's who signed up. only had to wait 45 years" ~ Johnnie Walker, via Twitter - 21/04/11, Radio Caroline 1960s.
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Hi Bob,
Just a line to wish you every success with your campaign to get Caroline back on Medium Wave.
Broadcasting around the world via the Internet and Satellite Channels is really great. However, until Internet Car Radio technology comes of age we still need AM and FM to get into our vehicles. Radio still needs mobility and it's being able to continue listening whilst on the move that makes you a real Radio station.
Looking back over Caroline's past, you could well be in with a good chance of being granted an AM frequency. Let's take a quick look at some notable dates from your past.
- Caroline commenced broadcasting Easter 1964.
- The Radio Academy was incorporated in 1986.
- In December 2007, Ronan was inducted as a fellow of the Radio Academy.
So, by my calculation, it would appear that the Radio Academy took 21 years to award recognition to Ronan for his work in establishing the foundations for commercial radio in the UK. Or, if you go back to 1964 (pre-radio authority) its a mere 43 years. Coming up to date now with OFCOM and its various predecessors, it is now 47 years and rising since the start of Radio Caroline.
My conclusion is that having done nothing for 47 years, OFCOM should be able to licence Caroline in time to celebrate her 50th birthday, if not sooner.
Wishing you all the best of luck, and remember Radio should be fun and free.
Regards
John Aston
p.s. Keep up the good work!
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Dear Bob,
Although I was a broadcaster on other offshore stations, my stint on Caroline North was one of the briefest imaginable - just before being towed away in early '68. But I am young enough to remember the pure magic of Radio Caroline from its inception four years earlier, so I remain to this day a believer in the old girl, who I am sure will be "young enough" to enjoy a sparkling new lease on life when, in 2014, she lets down her hair again and gets the old vibe revved-up for a whole new generation, who right now have no idea of what can be.
Anything was possible in 1964; surely it has to be now.
Greg Bance, formerly Roger Scott and Arnold Layne,
Radio Caroline 1960's
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Hello Bob,
You have my full support, in what you are doing.
Good luck and best wishes for your future
Wally Meehan,
Radio Caroline 1960's
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It’s a little known fact that Radio Caroline is the oldest radio station in the country. For nearly fifty years she has overcome massive odds, including several shipwrecks, to provide quality music radio. Iconic doesn’t even begin to cover it.
In an age where much radio is run by corporate suits and bean counters, Caroline is a breath of fresh air. Her passion has always been to produce good radio rather than look after the bottom line. And she’s still got a ship from which she can and does broadcast – not many stations can say that!
From the very beginning her spiritual home was the medium wave. It’s only fitting that to recognise her unique position in British broadcasting she be found a space there again.
Mike Stevens
Radio Caroline 1970s
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Hi Bob
Just a note to support you in your efforts to get Radio Caroline back onto the Medium Wave. Let’s hope you get back on Medium wave and then watch your listening figures increase as word gets around that you’re back on the radio.
Best of luck,
Mark Sloane, Radio Caroline 1960’s.
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Hi Bob,
No need for another history lesson, other than to say Radio Caroline has paid its dues - time after time. Now, more than ever, she needs and deserves to be heard again on a portable, widely accessible platform. Caroline's outstanding contribution to music, entertainment and freedom of thought over the decades is rarely appreciated. It's payback time – give this lady a licence.
Tom Hardy,
Radio Caroline 1970's.
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Hi Bob,
Regarding your efforts in trying for an AM UK signal. I want to wish you the best of luck and if there is anything I can do to help, please let me know.
Barry Everitt,
Radio Caroline (as Radio Seagull) 1970's.
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SOUNDS LIKE A GREAT IDEA BOB....IF I CAN HELP IN ANY WAY PLEASE LET ME KNOW. KEEP UP THE GOOD WORK AND MAY CAROLINE CONTINUE AS SHE GAVE ALL OF US SO MUCH FUN.
Mick Luvzit,
Radio Caroline 1960's.
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Hi Bob,
No existing commercial station is interested in AM - so why not let Caroline have it. At least we won't get the same restricted playlists and syndicated programmes that are on most AM stations.
Steve England,
Radio Caroline 1970's.
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Hi Bob,
I of course would give my full support to any application to get broadcasting on the mainstream where Caroline should be.
Happy New Year and Best Regards,
George Hare, Radio Caroline 1960's.
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Hi Bob,
Hope you're well. Ray Clark here - happy to put my name to the AM campaign.
Caroline has been around long enough to prove that she's not going away ... so they might as well give her somewhere permanent to stay!
Ray ..
Mick Williams, Radio Caroline 1980's.
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Hello Bob
Freedom of choice on the radio seems to have reached a low in the UK. Tuning up and down the FM or AM band produces a replication of output. There may be some choice on DAB and I understand that this is the medium which is being promoted at the moment.
With established AM broadcasters switching off their transmitters I would support a medium powered outlet in order that an independent experimental broadcaster may demonstrate an alternative minority service. I would suggest that this would ideally suite the legendary broadcaster Radio Caroline.
Peter Quinn,
Radio Caroline 1980's.
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Hello Bob .... yes ... continue as you are ... and I'm sure that the astute people that you are would accomodate change if it should ever become unavoidable ... "sounds fine ... Caroline ! "
Gord Cruse,
Radio Caroline 1960's.
