Well, it is that time of year again when April Fools Day (almost) coincides with Eastertime, which back in the day represented some interesting listening times for those of us who enjoyed shortwave free radio from the UK.
Some of the more elusive and ephemeral stations operating during the late 1980s until the latter part of the 90s would also be intriguingly named. Who could forget Voice of the Leek, Groovy Granny, Wee Guy Radio, and Voice of the Gout Sufferers?
Some of the above were synonymous with the 1st of April, whilst others would pop up seemingly on a whim. For example, Wee Guy would materialise on April Fool's Day, I believe on one occasion 'mysteriously' hijacking the multi-frequency transmitters of Radio Fax. Those that know, know.
The allegedly Welsh-leaning Voice of the Leek was sadly jut a little before my time, although the recordings I've since heard bring into question whether broadcasts actually emanated from the principality. However, so what? A dose of harmless levity does us all good.
Groovy Granny ran during the latter stages of the 1990s until I believe the very early years of the millennium. As ever, I'm happy to be corrected by those with greater knowledge than mine. The broadcasts were not particularly my cup of Darjeeling, but I say well done for trying something different, however niche.
As with Wee Guy Radio, Voice of the Gout Sufferers had an alter ego, the venerable Alan Hayes of Scotland's Radio Gloria International which itself was always a good listen. However, I was probably in my mid-teenage years when I last heard Alan on 48 metres. VOGS would generally pop up to QSO with Weekend Music Radio, whose live broadcasts had that special something that is sadly lacking from pre-recorded material, although Jack Russel is the consummate creator of loop programming.
Eastertime obviously brings a four-day weekend, and subject to conditions ample opportunities to hear free radio favourites. Live Wire Radio, Radio Confusion(latterly Subterranean Sounds), Britain Radio International, Ozone Radio(Eire), Radio Orion, and West & North Kent Radio are the names that instantly spring to mind of stations who could almost be relied upon to be there on demand at some point over Easter.
Were they great days? Well, then I was in my teens but now am in my late forties, so what sounded new, exciting, and edgy back in the day might not do to a cynical adult now staring down the barrel of becoming 50. However, in the moment, listening to UK-based free radio stations on shortwave and as with the 1989-1992 rave scene will always be something I fondly remember. Yes, I was an early starter.
Fast forward to today and whilst I haven't tuned in at all during 2026 and am now unlikely to do so again, I wonder what became of the operators of those short-lived but fun stations, as well as the operators behind stations analogous with my heyday of listening, periods of time I would narrow down to be 1990-1992 and 1994-1997.
Has free radio really changed much in the last 30 years? Insomuch that the ideals behind unlicensed broadcasting remain the same I would assume not so much, but technology has changed us all, as well as the way radio programmes are put together, broadcast, and listened to.
I would also suggest that the average age of operators is much higher than it was in the early 1990s, with some of those who were then active and indeed 'around' during the 1980s still going strong, but it no longer seems to be a hobby that a younger person would enter into. In that sense the future of free radio is uncertain but who knows, all it might take is for a broadcast to go viral on TikTok for a new generation to become aware of the scene. Moving with the times is not a phrase I care for, but doing so might just give shortwave free radio a shot in the arm.
My best wishes to those still out there in free radio land. As ever, memories and links to recordings & QSL cards from the 1990s are welcome in the comment section.
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