The results are in; the numbers have been crunched... Not really, as I have never conducted a poll to gauge listeners' favourite UK-based free radio stations on shortwave during the 1990s.
Therefore, in keeping with the other posts on my lesser-read blog - notwithstanding the vital reading it has become for Singaporean bots - the following is purely my opinion, and inevitably subjective. No correspondence has been entered into, nor have I been swayed by lobbying from or the blandishments of those 'who were there'.
The awards for:
Best (or most varied) musical taste: For very different reasons, Radio Orion and Live Wire Radio.
Best for speech-based content: Radio Orion; Subterranean Sounds, and although technically broadcasting from the Republic of Ireland, Radio Fax.
Standout music track which to this day is synonymous (to me at least) with the 1990s free radio scene: Sniff 'n' the Tears - Driver's Seat (Wizards Magic Spell); Kim Appleby - Don't Worry (Station Sierra Sierra), and Acker Bilk's Fancy Pants (Weekend Music Radio). There are many others.
Most consistent good signal (and modulation): Live Wire Radio
Favourite station (charisma of operator; listenable signal; entertaining/interactive programmes): Live Wire Radio
Conspicuous by being there but never heard by yours truly: Total Control Radio (later The Nitrozone)
Best (quickest) responder: Live Wire Radio
Favourite QSL cards: Radio Galaxy International (forerunner to Radio Merlin), and the Xenon Transmitting Company. These, and more, can be seen at Tom Read's excellent website
Most prolific broadcasters: UK Radio International, West and North Kent Radio, and Radio Orion.
Most enigmatic broadcaster: Alan Hayes (Radio Gloria International).
Most alternative broadcasters: Steve Midnight (Radio Confusion/Subterranean Sounds) for programme topics that included UFOs. Mike Wilson/Bogus Jobseeker/Bogusman - no further explanation required!
Infrequent broadcaster I always wanted to hear more from: Radio Armadillo
Most random mailing address: Anaheim, California (Radio Pamela); Merlin, Ontario (Radio Merlin etcetera); Belvoir Lodge, Whimsey Park (Station Sierra Sierra). The latter was often misaddressed as Beaver Lodge..
Mailing address synonymous with the 1990s shortwave free radio scene: 32 Victoria Road, Salisbury, Wiltshire. Honourable mentions to P O Box 220342, 42373 Wuppertal, Germany and 14 Stone Row, Coleraine, Northern Ireland.
Long service awards: Matt Roberts (formerly Tommy Teabags of Radio Mutiny International) of the Xenon Transmitting Company(XTC); Steve Most of Radio Pamela, and Radio Pandora's Steve St. Jhon(spelling?).
As ever, comments are more than welcome. My best wishes to all the operators (and listeners) who made the 1990s UK-based free radio scene on shortwave so compelling. It is much missed.
