It is a rare occurrence indeed to hear a new British-based free radio station on shortwave, but of course that wasn't always the case. Back in the 1990s, especially the early to mid part of the decade, there would be nothing unusual about a fresh name popping up on 48 metres, and that wasn't including the changes of moniker by the likes of Radio Mutiny (XTC), Total Control Radio (The Nitrozone), and Radio Confusion (Subterranean Sounds).
Fast forward thirty years, and new names are thin on the ground. Whilst a few have arrived (and vanished) over the last few years - Valley Wave Radio, Radio Nova, Radio Clash, Image Radio, Radio Jennifer, and the Soul of England - it should be remembered that at least fifty unique British-based stations were active at some point during the 1990s. Today, the stalwarts of Radio Pamela, Radio Pandora, and the aforementioned XTC remain, but this amounts to comparative and actual slim pickings. Weekend Music Radio has been broadcasting weekly for over a year, but is heard via Irish-based transmitters.
To therefore, quite by chance, hear a new British station, Station 807, a couple of weekends ago was a pleasant surprise. Furthermore, an operator behind the microphone who actually attempts to interact with his audience, however few in number they be - for such a low-power operation(15 watts in this case) it is by no means certain that anyone will be listening, especially due to fluctuating listening conditions - is a refreshing change from the hackneyed and monotonous canned announcements, no announcements with continuous music, or simply the familiar refrain of "that was... the next record is..." which is often the calling card of those with nothing to say, or are content with achieving technical mastery of broadcasting using homebrew equipment without regaling listeners with any pearls of wisdom whatsoever.
I can assure shortwave broadcasters that listeners want to hear old recordings, reminiscences, chat about the music they're playing, and that which they are not. The bar now is really low, but back in the day the likes of Bill Lewis, Steve Midnight, Jack Russel, Roger Davis, Andy Winter( plus other nom de plumes) and Paul Stuart, amongst others, were interesting to listen to. Or, was that just my young(er) ears being easier to please? It is also pleasing to receive stations with interesting names, such as the new kid on the block, Station 807.
The operator of Station 807 has a long and storied history in free radio of all stripes, including via Gary Stevens' BBMS (Britain's Better Music Station) that could be heard at the back end of the 1990s via the transmitters of Prince Terry's Ozone Radio International, or Radio Ozone as Stevens' used to unfortunately call it at times.
With a planned broadcast for the August bank holiday, Station 807 is definitely one to listen out for on a 48 band which, Weekend Music Radio aside, can at times on a Sunday ante meridiem be dead. Far from enjoying the silence, it is sad to 'hear' a vacant band which used to brim with regular Sunday morning broadcasters such as Jolly Roger, the aforementioned Ozone, West and North Kent Radio, Radio Orion, and Britain Radio International. That was though a long time ago, and comparisons are odious, or so I'm told!
Station 807 can be contacted at: station807@proton.me
