From the late 1970s onwards, numerous pirate radio stations, commonly known as free radio stations, appeared on the French FM band.
Defying the monopoly of the time, these stations were the subject of various articles in the national and regional press. For example, the newspaper Le Monde, in an article by Annick Cojean , covered the news of the FM band well into the 1980s.
In the decades that followed, several books dealt with this subject, always drawing inspiration from articles of the time.
Regardless of the work, we therefore almost always find the same stations: Radio Verte, Ici et Maintenant, Carbone 14, Radio Ivre, Radio Riposte… This is what we call information on a loop, emanating from one and the same source.
https://icomjapan.blogspot.com/2023/08/radio-ici-maintenant-en-homme-didier-de.html
Completely ignored by journalists, and therefore by the general public, and vice versa, French free shortwave radio stations have not been the subject of any article in the national press, to our knowledge.
Several association magazines, however, have devoted regular sections to European pirates, such as Offshore Echos Magazine.
Since the late 1970s, most pirate shortwave radio stations have been broadcasting from northern Europe, mainly from the Benelux countries and the British Isles.
In France, the phenomenon is more marginal, but we have nevertheless counted, with the help of some listeners, about fifteen stations.
Radio Tic Tac
In 1979 and 1980, Radio Tic Tac broadcast in the 48m band, between 6230 and 6280 kHz, with a power of 25 W. This radio also broadcast in FM on 100.2 or 100.4 MHz with 1 W.
The program consisted of songs recorded on official FM radio stations, interspersed with some commentary.
The main advantage of OCs is that, with only 25W, you can be heard simultaneously in several European countries.
Radio Atlantic
Radio Tic Tac ceased broadcasting in June 1980, and reappeared very briefly in 1994.
But did it really disappear in June 1980? In July and August 1980, a new station appeared in the 41m band.
This is Radio Atlantique , which has nothing to do with Atlantic 2000 .
Music tracks are also pirated on FM radios, and despite announcements made in a foreign language, some listeners thought they recognized the Radio Tic Tac presenter .
Atlantic 2000 International
Atlantic 2000 began broadcasting on shortwave on June 6, 1982 on 7325 kHz, after broadcasting on FM from 1978 to 1982.
The first transmitter, with a power of 20 W, could be received throughout Europe, but on that day, an English station had the bad idea of setting up on our frequency shortly after the start of our broadcast.
As a result, the listening reports concerning the June 6th broadcast came only from France.
The following broadcasts were transmitted on 7340 kHz, and reception reports were received from various European countries.
Atlantic 2000 continued to broadcast almost every month until July 17, 1988, in the 48, 41, 38 and 26 meter bands.
After more than 19 years of silence, the station returned to the airwaves on October 28, 2007, on 6280 and 6210 kHz.
Since 2008, Atlantic 2000 has been available to listen to on the Internet.
In 2008 and 2009, our station broadcast on 6220 kHz, relayed by Mystery Radio in Italy.
In 2009 and 2010, you were able to listen to us on 7550, then 7610 kHz, thanks to our friends at Radio Amica in Italy.
From December 2010, our programs were broadcast on 6005 kHz from the Kall-Krekel site in Germany, operated by Radio 700. Since October 16, 2011, Atlantic 2000 has been broadcasting on 9480 kHz via MV Baltic Radio , located in Göhren, Germany. The use of the 31-meter band allows us to expand our listening area.
Radio Waves International
Radio Waves International began broadcasting on November 13, 1983 on 6250 kHz.
Reflecting the tastes of the presenters, which is the least one would expect from a free radio station, the programming consists of French variety and, above all, country music.
With its transmitters, Radio Waves could be heard on the 48, 41 and 26 meter bands. During the 80s and 90s, it relayed several French and foreign stations.
To improve listening comfort, RWI was successively relayed by Radio Milano International on 7295 kHz, IRRS Milan on 3985 and 7120 kHz, then Riga in Latvia on 9290 kHz before the dismantling of this transmitting center.
Still present in shortwave, Radio Waves can also be heard on the Internet thanks to the Pirate Radio Network .
Radio Liberty Sound – Radio Big Lizard
A new station appeared in 1985. It was RLS, Radio Liberty Sound .
Audible in 1985 on the 41-meter band, it was then relayed in 1986 by the powerful transmitter of Radio Delmare , from Antwerp in Belgium on 6206 kHz. The address of the operator, who lived in Pas-de-Calais, was given on the air.
The same operator was behind another station, broadcast from 1985 to 1987. This was RBL, Radio Big Lizard , or the Voice of the Big Lizard . In 1986 and 1987, the transmitter used was still that of Radio Delmare in Belgium, on 6206 kHz.
Radio Luce
The pirate station Radio Luce was heard between 1987 and 1991 in the 41 and 48 m bands.
It was relayed by Radio Waves , then having its own transmitter, it in turn relayed the latter.
Between 1988 and 1989, a new station called Radio DJ ( Diji , typically French pronunciation) was relayed sometimes by Radio Waves , sometimes by Radio Luce .
In the years that followed, Radio Spectrum could be heard in 1990, then Radio Equinoxe and Radio Mandarine in 1990 and 1991. These stations were relayed by Radio Waves .
Radio Anorak
French station, or just an address in France? Radio Anorak was heard briefly in 1991 on 7460 kHz, indicating an address in the Doubs department, in France.
Radio Caroline (France)
Radio Caroline (French pronunciation required) has no connection whatsoever with the famous high-seas radio station. A 100% French station, Radio Caroline broadcast from the Arras region in the Pas-de-Calais in 1995 and 1996.
The station broadcast on FM on 104.1 MHz, on 6205 kHz in the 48 m band, and on 27025 kHz in the 11 m band.
It should be noted that the 11m CB band is very rarely used by pirate radios.
Radio Caroline had to cease operations after receiving a formal notice from the Superior Audiovisual Council regarding its FM broadcasts.
Radio Capucine
Radio Capucine made a brief appearance on shortwave at 5795 kHz in 1998.
RFB – Radio Face de Blatte
RFB , which stands for Radio Face de Blatte , was born in the mid-2000s.
The musical programming is very eclectic.
The presentation is as strange as the radio station's name, and the presenter's tone is absolutely inimitable.
Radio Bon Esprit
Radio Télévision Bon Esprit appeared as a streaming service on the Internet in the 2000s.
It was planned to broadcast on shortwave, but to our knowledge, no one has yet received any signal from the station on that frequency range. The stream is currently inactive, but according to its website, Radio Bon Esprit is broadcasting on medium wave at 1512 kHz somewhere in Paris.
Other stations
The list of stations we have mentioned is undoubtedly not exhaustive. Therefore, if you yourself have hosted a French free radio station broadcasting on shortwave that we have not listed in this section, please feel free to write to us to share your memories and experience with our listeners.
And if, as a listener, you received a station that has not been mentioned here, please write to us as well.
Pirate sections
In the magazine "A l'écoute du Monde" (Listening to the World), published by the Amitié Radio club, which has ceased publication, a section was devoted to pirate radio stations on shortwave. It was written by Julien de Bona , who had himself succeeded Francis Mougenez .
Until 2011, Georges Cany wrote his " what's new" column in Offshore Echos Magazine, before the latter
its publication continues.
The "pirates" page of the Antennes du Perche newsletter, published by the Radio Club du Perche, is signed Philippe Gondard .
And we will remember those who have sadly left us.
Michel Ravigneaux , who actively participated in this adventure in various newsletters and magazines, as well as Jean-Luc Vigié , who was behind several free radio stations, among those we have mentioned today.
Monsieur
Michel RAVIGNEAUX
1963 - 1995
décédé le 24 juin 1995 à 32 ans
A few days before, a pirate radio was broadcasting from his garden with a few friends.
On June 6, 2010, Atlantic 2000 dedicated a program to French pirate shortwave radio stations. Of course, the list of stations mentioned was not exhaustive.
Some of you have sent us additional information, which leads us to dedicate a new program to this subject.
This is the second episode of the history of French pirate radio stations in shortwave, produced in close collaboration with Francis Mougenez and Marcel Kurtz .
The previous episode began in 1979 with Radio Tic Tac . However, since 1945, several pirate stations had existed, broadcasting on medium and shortwave. Unfortunately, very few accounts exist from this period.
In 1969, on the university site of Villeneuve d' Ascq , near Lille, Radio Campus was born .
It broadcast on long wave, medium wave, and FM.
But the oldest shortwave station known to current DXers is Radio What You Know . Radio What You Know broadcast on shortwave from the Paris region between May and July 1970, before being seized by the police.
Radio Tic Tac was on the air in 1979 and 1980. It made a brief reappearance in 1994. The shortwave transmitter had a power of 25 watts. Various frequencies were used, between 6230 and 6280 kHz. It also broadcast on FM, with 1 watt on 100.2 or 100.4 MHz. The music broadcast was recorded from FIP.
Atlantic 2000 began broadcasting on shortwave on June 6, 1982. You can find our station's history on our website.
In 1984, a station appeared, identifying itself, depending on the broadcast, as either Radio Liberty Sound or Radio Big Lizard . It was relayed by Radio Hotel Amigo in the Netherlands, then by Radio Delmare in Belgium on 6206 kHz. An address in Étaples, Pas-de-Calais, was given on air. This was the address of the operator, Jean-Luc Vigié . The last broadcast was heard in 1987.
On November 13, 1983, on 6250 kHz, RWI, Radio Waves International , was born .
RWI was very active in the 1980s and 1990s in Ile de France region near Paris and had only a few watts. It broadcast on a significant number of frequencies (6225, 6271, 6275, 6320, 7306, 7441, 7473, 11401 kHz, etc.) almost every Sunday between 1987 and 1994. RWI was the relay of many pirate radio stations like VHR,etc. It was also relayed by Radio Milano International on 7295 kHz in 1986. The French service, presented by Philippe, was introduced by the song "A la française" by Alex et les Lézards. Some commemorative broadcasts took place under the name WCS - World Communication Service , with a special QSL card. Regular broadcasts ceased at Easter 1994, but the station continued its activities at a more leisurely pace, either with its own transmitter or by using repeater stations. Still present in shortwave in the 2010s on 6325, 6425, 7480 kHz, 11401, then 6985 kHz, Radio Waves is also audible on the Internet thanks to the Pirate Radio Network.
In October 1987, RWI began broadcasting Radio Luce for the first time , then sold it an 18-watt transmitter. Radio Luce was managed by Jean-Claude and hosted by Jean-Pascal, who came from the CB radio world . The station's focus was "French music and songs." Dedication programs and listener mail were also broadcast. A drawing competition was launched in 1988 to create the QSL card . In 1988 and 1989, broadcasts were frequent on 6520 and 7375 kHz, as well as via RWI on 7440 kHz. Programs were also reportedly broadcast on higher frequencies (25735, 26010, 26015, 26955, and 27035 kHz), but no one ever heard them. In 1989, Radio Luce used its transmitter to relay other stations as part of a service called " Revolution Relay International ." The station closed on January 2, 1990, following a disagreement between the transmitter owner and the broadcaster.
Jean-Pascal then founded Radio Spectrum (1990), broadcast via RWI on 7441 kHz.
Shortly afterwards, the same team launched Radio Equinoxe (1991), broadcast via RWI as well as by its own transmitter on 6525 kHz.
Radio DJ broadcast in 1988 using its modified Yaesu transmitter on 6265 kHz, as well as via Radio Luce on 7375 kHz and via RWI on 6320 kHz. The station closed in 1989 when the operator obtained his amateur radio license . The presenter pronounced the station's name in the French way, that is, " didji " (and not " didjé ").
Sunshine Radio gave an address in Saint-Gaudens; it first broadcast on June 26, 1988, on 6875 kHz, then in 1988, 1989, 1991, 1992, and 1995 on a variety of frequencies in shortwave, medium wave, and FM! QSL cards were signed Peter Pan Pirate. The presenters included Big Sicilian Face, L' Abominable , The Pirate Man, Dash 3, and a few others. The station was primarily experimental and aimed at a dedicated DX pirate audience.
Radio Mandarine only broadcast twice, in April 1990 and January 1991, via RWI .
The presenter was called "Prince Charming". She broadcast a music program.
Radio Pwet only broadcast once, during the 1992 annual general meeting of the Radio Friendship Club, via RWI . The presenter was Saddam von Pwet , aka SVP. The aim was to add a bit of flair to an event that, in his opinion, lacked it.
The objective was achieved, as the broadcast was received during the plenary session of the assembly by several listeners who were thus distracted from the remarks of President Roland Paget.
Radio Catapulte broadcast programs in French via RWI and in English via Jolly Roger Radio in Ireland in 1992 and 1993. The presenters introduced themselves as Napoleon IV and Professor Catastrophe. They portrayed several characters throughout the programs, including "Roger Labarbe " and "Jean-Marie" for a parody of the Amitié Radio club's DX program.
"Listening to the razor" instead of "Listening to the world"... The station's QSL card was a real gem!
Onda Caliente broadcast its first show on January 1, 1994, on 6200 kHz via Radio Orang Utan in the Netherlands, followed by several broadcasts via Radio Europe in Italy, before acquiring its own transmitter on 7473 and 7430 kHz for a series of broadcasts in 1994 and 1995. The station broadcast exclusively independent rock and was characterized by a certain sense of irony. The QSL card was shaped like a condom! The presenters were Leo Black and Veronica .
Onda Caliente made its return to the airwaves in March 2012 on 6315 kHz.
In 1995 a French shortwave station called Radio Caroline appeared , whose tone was very reminiscent of Radio Luce , even though the station denied this heritage.
In fact, the story of this French Radio Caroline begins in 1976 in Nanterre. One of the presenters at the time was named Philippe. He would later be found at Radio Waves International .
In 1981, the team formed a non-profit association under the 1901 law, but did not obtain authorization to broadcast on FM. In 1983, the radio station moved to the Yonne region, where a new application for authorization was refused; pirate broadcasts were then aired on weekends.
In 1990, another relocation took place for Pas-de-Calais; FM broadcasts resumed on 104.1 and 107.8 MHz. In 1992, a third license application met the same fate as the previous ones and failed.
Condemned to piracy, the station came to shortwave via CB; the first broadcasts took place on 27025 kHz, before a homemade 48m transmitter was put into service on August 27, 1995 on 6200 kHz with 40 Watts.
An address in Beaurains , Pas-de-Calais , was given on air. The presenter's first name was Alain.
In addition to the 48-meter broadcast, programs were also transmitted on the 11-meter band, as well as on FM at 104.1 MHz. The FM broadcasts led to proceedings against Radio Caroline by the French Broadcasting Authority (CSA), resulting in the station's closure.
A station identifying itself as The Voice of Hard Rock (VHR) reportedly broadcast in 1993 and 1994. The DJ was Frank and the jingles were made by an American girl. This station was broadcast via the relay of radio wave int.
Radio Coroner , broadcast in 1995 on 6260 kHz from Meurthe et Moselle.
ASW, Alternativa Shortwave was relayed by RWI, before having its own transmitter in Calvados.
Radio Zulu Kilo was very active between 2005 and 2007 in the 48m band. As with most pirate radio stations, the transmission location is unknown.
Finally, the latest arrival on shortwave, RFB, Radio Face de Blatte , was born in the mid-2000s. It occasionally broadcasts without notice a very eclectic musical program with rare identifications.
Also of note is the presence of French-language programs on European free radio stations: Jean-Claude George on Radio Empire and European Music Radio , Patrick Champvert on Falcon Radio , Gérard on United Radio Europe , and a certain Mike on Radio Amica .
Our sincere thanks to Francis Mougenez and Marcel Kurtz who provided us with most of this information, as well as the recordings, which led to the production of this 2nd program dedicated to French pirate radio stations in shortwave.
The source of this article are http://radioatlantic2000.free.fr/
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