Hans Knot's International Radio Report

Hi and a warm welcome to the July edition of the International Radio Report. Of course first some of the responses which came in: "Hi Hans this is Phil Pickering from Coalville, Leicestershire. What a wonderful report as usual I have been reading it now for the last couple of years. How good it is to bring back the memories of Offshore Radio".

"It is now thirty odd years since I first started listening to these wonderful stations and all because we had a short wave and medium wave Radio at the School which I was attending way back in 1969.I was o�ne of those kids who had to go to a special school for Wheelie People (Those in wheelchairs) back then. I well remember the night RNI got a bomb o�nboard. I was listening o�n short wave at the time, I think it was a Saturday night I found it most exciting just listening there. It seems now that a lot of commercial radio is quite boring in comparison. I have just got a DAB receiver and there are a few stations which seem to have flavour of the old Stations. Concerning Radio London I am not at all surprised that they have not come o�n air. It seemed to me either they were dragging there heals or they had know intention of coming on in the first place but that is just my opinion! I wonder what you think. Anyway all for now e-mail you again soon.

Kind Regards Phil."

Thanks a lot Phil for your response. Always nice to see that there are also a lot of listeners having their own memories from the watery days. I hope Ray Anderson and his people still succeed in getting a signal o�n the air. Now the 1008 kHz has gone to Talpa Radio and their Radio Tien Gold. Still there�s a possibility that o�ne of the other free frequencies could go to the Anderson organisation, so let�s hope the best for them.

Next o�ne is from Rodney Collins who expresses himself in only one line:

�Wow - Mr Palmer and Mr Tremaine, these memories are wonderful, thanks, Rodney Collins�

Hope Rodney himself can write some memories from the trips he made to the radio ships, when writing on the subject some 33 years ago.

Then I sent an e mail to the people with the new radio ship in Sweden/Finland. I asked Roy Sandgran how things were going after my contacts warned me that there was trouble between the people working within the project. I simply asked: �Is there sill LA or also DA. When will we be able to hearing a thing? I got a lot of emails from people who ware asking what�s really happening. Even the name �phoney radio project� is mentioned. So be honest and tell us what�s happening.

On Friday 25th of June an answer came in from Roy:

�Hello my great friend, everything is Ok�. Mike Spenser make his decision yesterday and will from now o�n, follow my instructions. The transmitter is moving from the ship to the coordinated antenna/mast at Nabben outside Mariehamn. Later today an expert o�n AM antennas, atu and tx will try to tune in everything to the best. Perhaps some tests later today with music from some computer. Finally Mike has to accept the rules and regulations of AM-broadcasting on �land (Finland). It's midsummer day today and like a Saturday, take care of you, Roy.�

He also mentioned that tests would be made on Sunday 28th of June. Personally I didn�t tune in into the radio that day. Who did receive Radio Scandinavia that day on 603?

The radio ship MV St. Paul (copyright Radio Scandanavia)

On the internet site of Wim van de Water: www.mediapages.nl a wonderful update can be found with hundreds of newspaper cuts from the archive of Jan van Plateringen. Really a very good update.

It was the same day that the 1008 kHz went to Talpa Radio and the Radio 10 Gold transmissions that last issue of the International Report came out. It was Tom Mulder, program director of the station, who got a special delivery of the report before anyone else. I did congratulate him on the success station that in stead of Big L we would now get a Big Radio 10 Gold.�

Of course he came back to me and o�ne of the things he wrote was that a reincarnation of the old Big L would nowadays never been a success again and the quality of British radio is getting worse and worse, without the inspiration of the Americans.

Geoffrey Baldwin wants to go back to the issue female deejays:

"Going back to one of your earlier reports, Jessie Brandon said that the photo from the Laser 558 days in the 1980's that everyone saw of her was not very fair o�n her and she sent you a more recent one. After that, I took a look at the Feature Story News site and there is another photo of her in which she looks a bit like actress Sigourney Weaver (meant as a compliment!)." "So, anyway, I can o�nly agree with her comment and, yes, Jessie is an attractive woman and seems to be maturing well! Some ladies do improve with age like wine! Anyway, the point of this message is o�n that subject. You have mentioned various female D.J.'s in your reports but I was wondering who your readers thought was the most attractive offshore female D.J.? When I saw the pictures of Brandy Lee years ago (in Offshore Echos) during her days o�n Laser Hot Hits, I thought she was rather good looking and, with these new pictures of Jessie, it reminds me that Laser did come up trumps in that respect, what with the Laserettes and all!" "So, that's my question: Did Laser have the most attractive women? Of course, there were a number of other lady D.J.'s that worked for stations like Caroline, Mi Amigo, Veronica, Capital Radio, Atlantis and so on."

So guys let Geoff know what you think about this issue and sent it in to

The next comes in from Sven Martinsen from Norway and speaks for itself:

�We refer first to the internet presentation at http://www.northernstar.no/ask.html

This email does not relate to the AM project of Northern Star though, but deals with an idealist museum radio project near Bergen, Norway. The background is that LKB(call sign) Bergen Kringkaster entire site(formerly the property of NRK) has been bought by the municipality of Askoy and the new owner is looking for interest and sponsors to restore the site. Some of the main points in focus are:

Is it possible to make the 20 kW Telefunken transmitter used o�n 890 kHz work again? It has not been used since November 1st, 1978.
(A newer 10 kW Philips from 1965 may be possible to bring back.)
Is it possible to make a 1 kW Marconi used on 1115 kHz work again? It has not been used since spring of 1966. From the 40s we think.
Is it possible to make a 250 watts Western Electric used o�n 1466 kHz work again? From the late 40s. It has not been used since November, 1978.
The two 150 metres masts combined into a "T"-aerial have been taken down, but all the sections remain, stored at the site.
The guy wires as well as the central wire of the masts seem to have to be renewed.
The feeder cable to the masts must be renewed.
We think the earthing may be intact.
Thankful for any input�.
A lot of ideas they have up there in Norway and hopefully they will succeed in realise the plans. If anyone has comments or ideas let them coming in as they�re really needed in Norway.. Good luck to all the guys who are working together with Sven.

Publishers NDC and Koninklijke Boom haven�t found a buyer for their regional station Rebecca Radio which can be received in the main parts of northern and eastern of Holland, as a full operating radio station. The licence and frequency has been given free to Jan Lagrouw, who is also active within the radio business in Holland with his regional project Sun FM. Also the name can be used and so Rebecca FM will start o�n August 1st. The programs will be made from studio�s in Rijswijk and it will stay a regional radio station. Less will be changed to the format. All the commercial activities as the advertisement department will be working from offices in Meppel, where they are already. He thinks ten of the former Rebecca people (19) will have a job again form August 1st. Lagrouw and a not mentioned other investors think the station can make profit at the end of 2005.

From Berlin comes the news that the RIAS2 Mega Party will be held on Saturday August 14th. It can be seen as a farewell party to all the more than 23.000 visitors who took part in the RIAS2 Marathon Danceparties in Hof, Dresden, Luckau and Teltow. The Mega Party will be held in the �Waldb�hne� near Luckau. o�ne of the presenters will be the in Germany world famous Dennis King, who the offshore fans remember from Caroline in the seventies. Dennis is next to radio also a television personality in Germany with his show on FAB in Berlin. More information can be get at http://www.riasparty.tripod.com

Then the IMIB, the Isle of Man International Broadcasting plc came with a very glossy brochure in which the new nationwide radio station promote herself with a start for the station in the first half of 2005, with a flotation o�n the stock market in the second half of 2005.

It�s possible for everyone, big spenders as well as small spenders, to take shares in the international cooperation. Paul Rusling, Chief Executive for the company, wrote me a personal letter: �I know you would want to read this, but if you do know of anyone who might to invest, we are very interested to hear�. Better to have many small groups that I big radio group. Anyone interested can go for more information on. www.iomib.com where the contacts page has a form to get info for buying shares.

You can also send an email to and they will send the details.

So go and get your won shares. I still have the shares of the former REM Island, way back in 1964.

Listening to 1008 kHz on July 30th. What a brilliant signal of 400 kW is beaming over Western Europe. E mails coming in from all kind of countries like Scotland, Ireland, Denmark and France stating they�re listening to the stations with a very good reception. Radio 10 Gold is now Big Ten! Congratulations to Tom and all the others o�n the station. Even Paul Rusling o�n the Isle of Man wrote that he has a very good reception at the island. o�ne of the readers told me that the signal was far much better than RNI ever had. 100% right!

In the evening I was listening to some old programs and one came from 20 years ago, June 1984. It were the first weeks of Laser 558 and the station attracted millions of listeners in Great Britain as well o�n the continent. o�ne of the deejays mentioned himself several times �TR� in the program and so we can add that one to the long list of �nick names� for Tommy Rivers.

Next we go to Germany where Peter Oonk, originating from Holland, is living. He�s from 1985 and since a couple of years interested in the history of Offshore Radio. He has asked me to publish the next: �Hi I�m Peter Oonk and I think you will say that I�m crazy but I�ve plans to come with a new offshore radio station. Therefore I would like to come in contact with anyone who has worked o�n a radio ship and maybe a few of them could step with me into the future project. I�m working within the pirate land based scene since five years and also I�m working for a legal radio station. I got interested in the history o�n Offshore Radio since three years and it seems to me a very good idea to start such a station. I�ve already found public backers who are willing to take part in the project. Please contact me at

A few interesting e mails which came in around July 1st up till 8th I will take with me for the next issue of the international report. Reason is that the sad news came in that Tony Allan died on July 9th at 11.15 at the age of 54. At the end of June I got the information that Tony was taken to an hospice, the Marie Currie Hospice in Hampstead. Taking care for Tony at his own house was impossible at that stage. It was already known for 3 years that Tony had cancer of the throat. At first it was expected he should die early 2002 but his strong character kept him living for a much longer period than expected. In the early hours of the morning Tony got into coma and died in peace.

For those he did not know Tony: he was a very professional presenter with a very wide experience in music, production and voice over work. For those who worked with him since 1967 Tony was not always the same guy as he sounded like o�n the radio. He could be very hard to his colleagues and crewmembers o�n the offshore radio ships � he worked o�n through the years. There are many stories about his misbehaving. I had the honour meeting up with him for the first time in 1972 and since then met him several times. Lucky enough I can tell you that I never had the bad experiences with Tony where other talked a lot about. He had always a willing ear and seemed to have a good nature. Together we shared a lot of memories. He started his career at the age of 17 o�n board the MV Comet of Radio Scotland. He tried to get o�nboard the MV Mi Amigo in 1967, after the Marine Offences Act became law. The Caroline director however thought it wouldn�t be such a good idea to put such a young lad for a longer period o�n a ship in international waters. Tony had to wait until 1971 before he could restart his career as a marine broadcaster o�n board the MEBO II, the radio ship of Radio Northsea International.

Maybe the most legendary program I do remember was on September 30th 1972 when Tony opened officially RNI2, a radio station which was o�nly o�n the air for two days. Radio Veronica, the Dutch offshore station, changed frequency to 538 metres and as soon as the old �192� transmitter from Radio Veronica left the air, an other strong signal came o�n 192. It was RNI2, a toy station from Radio Northsea International, o�nly with the aim to introduce themselves to the Veronica listeners and hopefully to win them for RNI in the then future. In partly perfect Dutch Tony presented with full joy this opening.

After his RNI days Tony went to The VOP, the Peace station from Abe Nathan. Together with a team of technicians there was a period of long and hard working in New York, where the MV Cito of the VOP was technically installed. Then came the trip to Europe and hard times in Spain and France. It took months before the station finally came o�n the air off the Israeli coast and again Tony did open this station. He stayed a long time o�n the ship, even returned in 1976 after working o�n both Radio Seagull and Caroline in Europe.

When I did research for my book on The Voice of Peace some thirteen years ago I interviewed a lot of former people who had worked for the Voice of Peace and almost every time people started talking very enthusiastic about the way Tony could bring his experience to them. He was a very creative person, not o�nly for the listener but also to share it with his colleagues. When back in Europe o�n the MV Mi Amigo he even presented a lot of programs in his romantic Dutch when there were no tapes o�n sister stations like Radio Atlantis and Radio Mi Amigo. For Tony non stop music was a taboo.

During the eighties Tony worked on Scottish Television and a few Irish commercial radio stations like Radio Nova , Sunshine Radio and South Coast Radio. With his beautiful voice he could be heard at the same time o�n Irish Public Radio RTE as a voice over. During the nineties he could be heard again for o�ne day during the 1995 RSL in London harbour. The Ross Revenge was anchored in the Docklands and when I did enter the ship to do my own program o�ne day, I saw Tony for the very first time since years. He was in a very bad mood as the then program director Johnny Reece had told him to leave the ship and never showing up again. Tony had lost his temper o�n the radio ship after making a program and sour comments on younger deejays. It would take years before Tony was invited again to do programmes on the satellite version of Radio Caroline. A pity his voice was already in a bad condition but still his experience could be heard in the way he was presenting and making his own musical choice.

After it became known Tony had cancer I had the luck to meet him once again in November 2002. It was a surprise party as I would met Robin Banks o�n Piccadilly Circus at two o�clock at a Saturday afternoon for a drink. He was stocked in the traffic and without notice suddenly Tony tagged me on the shoulder. What followed was again an afternoon filled with joy, cigarettes, a good beer and many memories. Memories shared with Tony will remain for always in my mind. May he rest in peace.

An Obituary was sent in by Andy Archer: �� Of all of the people I met and worked with during my "pirate" radio years, Tony Allan was the most extraordinary. He was charming, erudite - and wickedly witty. Like many talented people - and Tony was VERY talented - he could have his temperamental moments and throw the odd "wobbly". These were largely as a result of his own professionalism which would not allow him to suffer amateurs gladly. For reasons that have always eluded me, he did not class me in that category, and we never ended up kicking the shit out of each other.

It is well known that Tony did not know the meaning of the word "abstemious", and it was during a shore leave from Radio Caroline that he and Graeme Gill visited me at a well-known hotel in Amsterdam. I had been given a room with a very large private bar, stocked with every drink imaginable. During the course of what should have been a highly memorable evening (I wish I COULD remember it) we drank late into the night. It was o�nly when I woke in the morning (late) that I realised the impact we had made o�n the stock of brandy, whisky, vodka, gin etc. As the remaining contents of the bar were due to be measured, and the amount missing added to my bill, I had no choice but to top the bottles back up again ... the vodka and gin from the bathroom tap .. and the other spirits with various strengths of diluted coffee and tea. When I told Tony afterwards, his o�nly reaction was: "Thank ***** I wasn't the next guest in THAT room!"

Sadly Tony and I lost touch for the better part of 20 years but, thanks to our mutual friend Elija van den Berg, we recently met up again and remained in close contact for the last couple of months of his life. We three spent a joyous afternoon together in London which, despite his frailty, was an event marked not by sadness but by laughter. Lots and lots of it. �

Next one came in from Robb Eden, who also worked together with Tony o�n both RNI and Radio Caroline: �Hans, I'm sure that you will have heard that Tony passed away this morning. We arrived at the hospice half hour too late. He looked very serene & peaceful. Tony and I have been working o�n a compilation of unsigned music. Tony has written the sleeve notes. The first pressings will be ready in about three weeks. Profits will go to the Marie Curie Cancer hospice where he was being cared for. I have also interviewed him about his life. When this has been transcribed it will be available for all to see at www.jacobsladder.org.uk (in about a week). Will e-mail when the funeral arrangements are confirmed. Robb Eden.

Then from Isra�l an e mail from media watcher Mike Brand: It was of course with deep sadness I heard of the death of Tony Allan this evening

What more can be said that already has been said. I had the privilege of listening to Tony on RNI, Caroline and the Voice Of Peace.

Thinking that when I came to Israel in 1976, listening to good radio was over, I was gladly surprised to listen to the voices of Tony Allan and Crispian St John ( Howard Rose once again, through the airwaves of the VOP. Peace was always in the mind of Tony, and radio today has lost a very special person. Tony is the third VOP (amongst other stations of course) presenter to pass away in recent years, the other two being Howard Rose and Kenny Page.

Radio Heaven International has a pretty impressive line up at this moment ��

Mike Brand.�

Well a sad end of this report. Let�s hope we have better news next time. As always you can sent in your comments, news and memories to

In last issue we ended with the sad news of the death of Tony Allan who made a fantastic radio career from 1967 on until his death. After sending out next report a lot of people have written in with memories.

First was Robb Eden, who wrote about my last obituary: �Hans, Lovely piece about Tony. If o�nly he had lived to read it, he would have been proud. Noticed I misspellt our website address. It should read www.jacobsladder.org.uk. Be in touch.�

So there the interview Robb Eden had with Tony some weeks ago can now be found.

From Canada another old colleague from sixties days wrote in about Tony Allan: �Hi Hans: As you know Tony and I worked together o�n Radio Scotland and it was with great sadness that I heard about his passing. He phoned in last July to City Beat in Belfast when I was a guest o�n the Kenny Tosh show. I will treasure the cd of the show as Jimmy Mack also phoned in to talk to me o�n the same show (Jimmy sadly passed away last Saturday). Many times he thanked me, Mel Howard and John Kerr for helping hone is craft. He was a consummate professional and I for one will remember him with much fondness. Best Wishes Ben Healy.�

Thanks also for your memory and fine words Ben. Indeed a sad loss, two former colleagues within a week. I will come back to Jimmy Mack later in this report.

From an avid fan of Radio Scotland the next e-mail came in: �Thank you as always Hans for a wonderful report, but how sad that you also have too often report sad news. It is indeed very sad, if not entirely unexpected, to hear of the death of Tony Allen. For me he was really o�ne of THE voices of the offshore pirate era. Growing up in Glasgow and being a big fan of Radio Scotland, I thought his unique voice and stylish mode of presentation was o�ne of the most important factors in establishing the station's identity and popularity. And who can forget his valued contribution to o�ne of the greatest offshore stations of all time - RNI. He will be sadly missed. Best wishes, Dave Burke.�

Another former colleague from RNI days is Hans ten Hooge (Hoogendoorn). He wrote the next: �It�s a very strange feeling. I think it�s almost 30 years ago I met Tony Allan for the last time but the message of his passing bring me sadness. I think because he was the �personality cult� for the living o�n board the MEBO II. During my first week o�n the radio ship he was my personal mentor way back in 1971. With a lot of patience he taught me a few skills or better to say, he brought me trust and a bit of self-confidence o�n the ship. He was younger than me but had a kind of natural authority. This sometimes threw himself in a whim of aggressive behaviour. I�m lucky I�ve never been in the frontline at those moments. I shall always think with dignity to the times with Anthony Allan. Hans Hoogendoorn.�

Then we go over to Ireland from where Steve Marshall sent in his memories: �Hi Hans, sad to hear about Tony Allan's passing, I'd like to add my own tribute Tony was o�ne of the finest broadcasters ever, a o�ne-off, in an age where the word Legend is over used. Legend really applied to Tony. Great as a Jock Newsreader Voice man, and in production there was no-one who could touch him! There was very little that Tony couldn't turn his hand to in radio as someone who knew him as a workmate and dear friend over twenty years, I miss him terribly. Tony was an inspiration to us all. There will be many people in and out of the business who will fondly remember Tony. Tony was a talent that o�nly comes o�nce in a lifetime, and that talent was plain for everyone who heard and met him. Tony said recently that if he got people to learn something about cancer, he had done o�ne good thing in his life, Tony did many great things in his life as a broadcaster and a person. Tony gave his all to broadcasting and lived life to the full, and anyone who knew him would say he had a well developed sense of fun. A consummate professional, Tony never forgot that someone gave him his first gig o�n Radio Scotland back in the 60�s. Tony always gave advice o�n radio and life in general freely. I remember working with Tony o�n a number of stations in Ireland, he was always fun and such a professional broadcaster.

As a friend there was no one better than Tony, he would do anything for you as a friend, and in an industry where fair-weather friends abound, with Tony o�nce he was your friend, he was a friend for life. I remember when Tony came to Galway in Ireland to help us with Coast 103, Tony disappeared up to the staff house in the afternoon, I got a call at the station at 6.00pm saying "Marshall be here for 6.30 with everyone else, its veggie curry for supper". That was typical of Tony to put others above himself, and he was a wonderful cook too! And he did some great commercials and programmes for the station whilst he was there! And outside radio, Tony always remained a dear friend through good times and bad.

Even now I expect him to call and say "hello Love its Tony how are you what you been up to?" and I'm smiling of the memory of a dear friend who passed away. We met a couple of years ago in London, and ended up in a pub near his home, Tony was his same old self, asking after everyone, and wanting to know the latest gossip. A day filled with fun and laughter. I'm sure others elsewhere will list his long and varied radio career. I'll remember Tony as a great workmate, and a marvellous friend. Rest in Peace Tony.

You gave a lot to radio and some great memories to the people whose lives ou touched with your kindness and love Steve Marshall http://www.iol.ie

Marc Jacobs, who worked for offshore stations Radio Mi Amigo and Radio Caroline also reflected his thoughts: �It�s many years ago since I spoke to Tony Allan for the last time but when reading the sad news of his passing away it is getting me a bit sad. As you know Hans I never had problems with Tony and there are a lot of memories concerning Tony, of which the most are very positive. Thanks to him I got the nickname �Marcyparcy� as he always mentioned me o�n the air. He had a lot of energy in him. During many nights he could be found in the production room making jingles, really beautiful peaces of art. He had also the gift to bring emotions with his voice to other people. With his own emotions he was at his wit�s end. He drank, far too much sometimes. The next thing was that he locked himself up in his cabin and stayed there for days. Nobody dared to go to his cabin in such moments. Except me, and I brought him in those days food and drink and all I found was a pathetic little man. I was always very pity with him but at the same time I did admire him as being the radioman Tony Allan.�

Rob Chapman, who got broadcasting experience including BBC local Radio in Northampton and Bristol and contributed material to programs on BBC Radios o�ne and Four and is author of �Selling the sixties, the pirates and pop music radio� wrote in too: �Hans, I would just like to add my tribute to the many others you will receive o�n hearing of the sad death of Tony Allan. He was without a doubt the most erudite, musically eclectic and mischievous soul ever to grace the pirate airwaves. I have many fond memories of his time o�n Caroline. His mere presence o�n the ship seemed to audibly lift the spirits and the general vibe of the station. I have a large stack of recordings of Tony o�n Caroline/Seagull from the 1970's so I shall always have that voice to listen to. God rest his soul. Rob Chapman.�

Ger Kruidenier from Rotterdam has re-found interest in radio since a couple of months and subscribed himself too o�n the International report and after reading the sad news responded with: �Hans, what a sad message that Tony isn�t anymore with us. It really shocked me when reading. Always I thought he was one of the better deejays. Lucky enough I have enough tapes to relistening to him again. The �Mi Amigo and Caroline in an ocean of love� jingles were master pieces produced by Tony. During the years I thought sometimes where he and others had gone, if they had stopped working in radio or would be working for a local radio station. It very sad to get the information from reading the report. Greetings Ger.�

From Rene Burcksen in Montgonery Maryland USA comes the next memory: Hi Hans, � I was sorry to hear about Tony Allan. I too have fond memories and remember for example another start up of Radio Caroline in the late 70�s which were presented by Tony. How excited and thrilled he was being able to present this program which started another episode in the Caroline saga and the start of Dutch programming on this station during the day.

I am happy to have been able to listen to such a talented DJ. Rene.

From Whitstable in Kent Bob LeRoi wrote in: � I first met Tony in the early 1970�s and like most managed to rock and roll with his tempestuous personality. Tony was though without doubt a natural gifted talent, having learnt his trade from the earliest days of Radio Scotland.

Developing a style of his own, he captivated his audience with the simplest, and sometimes most personal of links. He had a passion for the music he played and very much enjoyed sharing it. Timing�s everything, and Tony was there in the 1972 pitching it just right. Everyone was waiting and hoping for the moment, when Tony�s voice cut through with the word �we�re back, this is us� that short statement was to forever make him synonymous with Caroline and the offshore movement.

Stories galore abound about his times in Ireland, and he�d be the first to admit he liked a drink. But it�s with much respect and admiration that we saw Tony mellow, and with advancing illness go to great pains to make peace with old friends. I�ve fond memories of lively discussions with Tony o�n many subjects; he�d an opinion o�n everything. Yes, Tony was passionate about radio but he also appreciated art, was an active Ornithologist, champion of minorities, and truly supported the underdog. Tony Allan - He�ll be remembered with affection as a real character & for the many happy times that he helped create. Bob Le-Roi�.

For a pictures & audio tribute to Tony Allan visit www.bobleroi.co.uk

Then again Don Stevens after he read the last issue of the report: � I did not know Tony passed o�n.....he was a man I worked with many times, and he caused me no end of problems with business partners in Israel, especially with Schmuel Hoogy and the mafia who ran the Karish NightClub in Ramla back in 1978, but he was a unique person and he was always willing to help out no matter what the circumstances of the last meeting.

He worked with me years later in Ireland in 1982, he even worked for me as Head of News both at South Coast Radio and Atlantic Sound Galway. He supported Keith York and I when we launched WLS Galway and was Head of our News and Presentation, and I believe he helped Keith out again after I left Galway in 1987, he was great.

Thanks to Tony, I was Breakfast relief at Radio Nova in Summer 1985 a real treat for me as I had always enjoyed the style and attitude of Nova and its founder Chris Carey, a man who never lets folk down and is rarely appreciated for his sincerity. I did enjoy driving my car through a bunch of striking NUJ thugs at Nova Park who wanted to close the station down, and o�nce we broke the barrier the rest of the crew got through. Chris really appreciated that, and Tony, Keith and I celebrated well that night, rejoicing in the good fortune we had our chance to do a favor for Chris. Great times and fond memories of radio's greatest lost talent.

He should have been the greatest broadcaster of the late 20th Century in terms of wealth and position, instead, we are all fortunate that he was our greatest broadcaster in the free radio world, and he was our friend. Don.�

From Belgium Raoul Verolleman who wrote in that he is French speaking and there apologises for the fact his Dutch is not good. Well, he wrote me in Dutch and it�s really good to read. He wrote that in July 1967 he visited the MV Comet, the ship of Radio Scotland and shared the cabin with Tony Allan. Even Tony invited him to do some announcements in French on 242. Since 2000 he was a few times in contact with Tony again and has his own memories to the late Tony. Raoul asked me if I could mention the address of Bob Lawrence o�nce again. Some months ago I mentioned that Bob did a double cd o�n the Tony�s time in radio.

The Tony Allan story is available on two CD's and can be ordered for 21 Pounds or 30 Euros by sending a cheque or cash to The Radio Production Company, PO Box 113, Sheerness, ME12, 2TD United Kingdom.

As Tony Allan almost was 55 years old of ages when he died, his former colleague o�n Radio Scotland, Jimmy Mack, brought it 15 years longer. Jimmy died o�n the age of 60 o�n Saturday July the 3rd in Scotland. Just a few weeks back he presented his last program o�n Radio Clyde 2. Also he suffered many years from cancer. He was also a talented presentator in many fields within the radio industry. Next to Radio Scotland and the Clyde stations he worked for BB Medway Radio in Kent and BBC�s Radio 1 and 2.

This could be found o�n the Pirate Hall of fame o�n Jimmy�s career:
�Jimmy Mack was born in Greenock, Scotland, o�n 26th June 1934. Jimmy had a job as an insurance representative when Radio Scotland launched but he also worked part-time as a volunteer o�n hospital radio in Edinburgh. Fascinated by the new station, he did not waste any time. Jimmy immediately sent off a demo tape. Managing Director Tommy Shields commissioned him to present The Hospital Request Show each week. This was recorded o�n land but whenever possible Jimmy took time off from the day job to visit the ship and present shows live. The following year, with the end of the station in sight, he took more holidays and spent the last three weeks of Radio Scotland's life o�n board the ship so he was there when it closed down o�n 14th August 1967. Following the closure, he applied to join the BBC in Glasgow. From there he presented a number of different shows o�n BBC Radio Scotland as well as network programmes for Radio 1 (Radio 1 Club) and Radio 2 (Night Ride). In 1970 BBC Radio Medway opened and Jimmy moved to Kent to join the launch team. In 1979 he returned to Glasgow to take over the mid-morning show o�n BBC Radio Scotland. In 1990 he transferred to Clyde 2.

From Mike Brand we received a message on July 5th: �Next week, (July 12th) I will be starting the English service of the new Israeli/Palestinian radio station "All for peace". At the moment, broadcasts are o�nly through the Internet, but we hope to be broadcasting o�n FM very soon. There is a slight disagreement between the Israeli and Palestinian Communications Ministries, as to the allocation of a frequency for the station. As soon as this is cleared up, the station will broadcast with a 5 KW transmitter from somewhere in the Palestinian Authority area. We hope to reach the Central part of Israel, and the Palestinian Authority area.

Programmes at this moment are in Hebrew and Arabic, with English programmes starting this coming week. There are two co-directors of the station, o�ne Israeli, and o�ne Palestinian. Studios are in Jerusalem, so both Israeli and Palestinian Can reach the station to broadcast. All shows at this moment are taped, but live programmes are planned for the future. This station has NO connection to the former Voice of Peace, but sees itself as a successor to the former offshore station. Programmes o�n the VOP were in English and Hebrew o�nly (mainly in English), whereas AFP will broadcast in all three languages (Hebrew English and Arabic ).

This was the "other group" that was calling itself the Voice of Peace a year back , that was in conflict with another VOP group, with myself, Noam Tal and others involved, with the backing of Abie Nathan. As this group backed by Abie, disintegrated, and out of respect for Abie, the �other group �changed it's name to "All for Peace�. I suggested English programmes to AFP a while back, was politely refused. A month ago, I was told that English programmes were going to start, I made a demo for the station, and official programmes will start soon.

You can listen to AFP at the following address : www.allforpeace.org

Mike Brand

Then an e mail from Paul in Kent: �Hi Hans. This is the first time I have written to you, I do read your monthly reports and really enjoy them, I am a collector of Radio Luxembourg (208) shows but also really liked the RLI show which was an half hour show in the early evenings but am struggling getting hold of any apart from two, do you know anyone who may have some for trade or something, I don't seem to be able to get any Tony Prince Top 30 disco shows from 1983 either. Any help would be most appreciated. Many thanks, Paul Bedford (Kent UK)�.

It is really a problem to get in touch with people who have recordings of Radio Luxembourg, I know myself. Strange, that I did record since 1961 about 15.000 hours of offshore radio and maybe 12 hours of Luxembourg. Anyway, if there�s anyone who wants to be in contact about Radio Luxembourg or who has recordings of the station can get in touch with Paul by mailing him at:

An e mail from a former Carolinedeejay who never before wrote to me, Martin Fisher from the seventies period of the good old lady:

�Hi Hans, I have not written to you before, although I have often seen your reports appearing on various web sites. I recently stumbled across your �very strange episode in the history of offshore radio� o�n the radiolondon.co.uk web site. I very well remember the day that the Mi Amigo's wheel was stolen. I remember being extremely annoyed at the time; I just could not believe that they could have removed the wheel without anybody seeing what was going o�n. I also seem to remember that the tender left in a bit of a hurry that day, I was not even alerted to the fact that the tender was leaving, which was unusual, but after visiting the bridge and discovering the wheel missing, I could see why they did not hang around. Although it was distressing at the time that anybody could steal anything from our beloved ship, in the long run, it possibly turns out to be a stroke of luck if an artefact from the Mi Amigo, does indeed survive to this day, and how amazing for Marc Jacobs to have discovered it and actually have it in his home. I thought you might like this rather posy picture of me at the wheel taken either in 1977 or early 1978. All the best, Martin Fisher�

Thanks a lot and for you and all the other readers, your memories are always welcome to include into the international report. You can sent them to:

The plans from Sietse Brouwer and his companions to start a radio station for the tourist visiting the isles during the summer are not going well. First it was expected to open the station early July, and then August was mentioned. The question is however if the station will come on the air this summer. Officially the place for the arial was Stiens, near Leeuwarden. They thought it would be better to go for a location near Harlingen and did, versus the Broadcast Partners, a request for it to the Board of Telecom Agency in Groningen. Permission was not granted. As the owners of Radio Waddenzee want to place the mast 22 kilometers to the west and therefore allowance must be got from an English radio station which uses the same frequency but is 400 kilometers away. Waddenzee would only use small power. Although they can�t be on the air as promised earlier, they will be on internet as soon as possible. Will keep you informed.

One of the e-mails I had to save for this edition came in from Don Stevens, who worked on both Radio Caroline as well as the Voice of Peace off the Israeli coast: � once again, my compliments o�n the newsletter, it has become a welcome part of my mailbox and provides an opportunity to forget work, brew a coffee and relax while enjoying the news. As promised, I have been searching out photographs from the Peace Ship to place in high quality on a 'Voice of Peace the Golden Age' website, but a few need to be seen sooner. For example the colour image of the late Crispian, enjoying an afternoon chat on the main deck of the Peace Ship from 1976, and the black and white shot of rarely seen James Ross, Phil Mitchell and Richard Jackson just dressed after a sunbathing session on the forward hold hatch. I also enclose a thoughtful pose of Stevie Gordon a few weeks before he left the Peace Ship and I believe he went straight to Caroline, so its an interesting study.

I have Radio Jackie on in the background and it�s like the good old days of land based piracy in London. It sounds really good, tight links and an original playlist, lots of fresh tunes, great oldies you should tune in Hans, they are o�nline at www.radiojackie.com and they have a couple of ex-offshore people involved, including Tony Collis.

Send you more stuff soon Hans, I've found a photo of the MV Odelia, the Israeli pirate television ship that caused so much hassle in 1977/78, and a shot of MV Norderney and MV Magda Maria side by side in Amsterdam...I think in 1986...but you will know for sure o�nce you see the shot. Keep up your excellent work Hans, you are the glue that binds us together...Buster Pearson was like that in the 1970's and held the offshore family together. Thanks again Hans. Live Long & Prosper, Don�

In name of all thanks a lot for the photos and also for the compliments. By the way, it was an honour to have worked together in the eighties together with Jean, Buster and other persons within the Monitor Magazine team. Here�s a current shot of Don and really he�s now a gentleman. But how many days a year you�re have your hat on?

Jan van Heeren wrote in that he found in his archive some newspaper cuts from 1964 and 1965 including a program schedule for Radio Veronica and this brought some female deejays we did not mention before. Madelon Heyen presented �Chez Madelon�, Linda Goedhart presented a sponsored program for grocery �De Spar�, Annette was the one for �Favorieten Express� a record label from the Fontana Company and Calvo Roderiquez was with Veronica to do her weekly Spanish program.

An e mail form the USA: �Hans - saw your website and was wondering if you'd have any advice for an American DJ with EU passport who wants to move to E.U. Are there any agencies you know of that would be worth contacting to get work over there? Ideally a club residency, ideally in Copenhagen. I have played in 16 countries with most of the big names in the biz. Thanks for any help you can offer. Jas�.

I answered him telling I�m radio related and have no contacts in the club circuit and advised him to put a note in the report. Second answer was:

�That would be great Hans. I play o�n radio here as well and actually I like that better than club stuff, if there is anyone looking for an American DJ. You can hear my shows on the net - links to that and all my bio stuff is here if you want to include it in your newsletter mention. www.groovetribe.org/jas.html

You are to kind - thank you very much for replying. I'm sure I could learn a lot from you regarding radio.:

So anyone who want to answer Jas can do in on the above e mail.

And before we forget to mention: Paul de Haan mentioning that one of the world best radio stations is back on Internet after three years so go and have a listen to www.wlng.com

It brought me to the idea listening to this station during the day o�n July 13th and during the evening I tuned in into an old recording from Radio Caroline with one of their American deejays. Recording in New York, Jack Spector could be heard in the sixties on Radio Caroline in Western Europe. I now hear how bad he was, but he also mentioned a few time his own given nickname: �Your main man Jake�. For people who are fresh readers of the international radio report �nicknames� for former offshore deejays is one of the topics through the past years and if you want a long list with the names we have found just e mail me and ask for the list:

There�s one other I would like to add. I read an old interview with Cees van Zijtveld, from 1963 when he worked for Radio Veronica. o�ne of the topics was a new presenter o�n the station in those days: Gaston Huysmans. He was from Holland but his parents from Belgium and had an interest in playing a lot of �polka and Dutch language� music in his program. And Cees told in the interview that Gaston already got a nickname in 1963 as he was called �Nonkel Gaston� by his colleagues.

Listening to programs from the very first week of Radio Atlanta in June 1964, a station that started 40 years ago and merged with Radio Caroline in July of that year, it occurred to me that the American deejays almost only read slogans o�n the air and had less social talk to the listeners. �This is the mast with the most�, �This is living loving radio�, �This is friendly Radio Atlanta�, �Radio Atlanta, your station for a brighter sound�, and �This is Radio Atlanta playing music, the o�nly language that every body knows�, are just some of the examples I did hear a lot today (July 15th). What we didn�t know by then that a lot of radio stations would be boring to listen to some 30 years afterwards with deejays with o�nly �liner carts�. But we can also add, due to listening to the old programs, two nicknames we didn�t had in our list of nicknames. Mike �Your very own deejay� Raven and Bob �Little fat boy� Scott are the two to be put into the list. o�n Radio Noordzee, the Dutch language station on board the MEBO II there was a program in which two persons had a nickname, we didn�t mention before. Each Saturday the program was broadcast and Ferry de Groot became Ferry �meneer de� Groot and Andr� van Duyn became �Dick voor Mekaar�.