Capital Radio (pirate)
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| |
|---|---|
| Broadcast area | Netherlands, Belgium, eastern England |
| Frequency | 1115 kHz (269 metres) |
| Branding | Capital Radio |
| Programming | |
| Language | English |
| Format | Pirate radio |
| Ownership | |
| Owner | International Broadcasters Society (IBS) |
| History | |
First air date | 14 June 1970 (test); 1 September 1970 (official) |
Last air date | 10 November 1970 |
Capital Radio (not to be confused with the later British radio station of the same name) was a pirate radio station which operated from international waters off the coast of the Netherlands in 1970.[1] It was broadcast from the ship King David.[2] On 10 November 1970, the ship sent a mayday signal after it became unanchored during a storm, and later ran aground on the beach at Noordwijk.[3][2] The DJs were rescued by the Royal Netherlands Sea Rescue Institution, after which they were delivered to the police.[3]
The ship originally took up position off of Noordwijk on April 25, 1970, but the antenna buckled in a force 8 gale and the ship had to return to port to have the antenna repaired.[2]
The pirate radio station on board the King David began transmitting test transmissions off the Dutch coast on 14 June 1970, at 269 metres, 1115 kHz.[2]
Official programming did not begin until 1 September.[2] Ten days later, the antenna was damaged again and the ship sailed into Zaandam for service.[citation needed]
The station returned to the air on October 10 and broadcast uneventfully for a month.[citation needed]
On November 10, the ship lost its anchor in a force 12 storms and ran aground at Noordwijk. At that point the ship was impounded over unpaid debts owed to its tendering company. The IBS were unable to raise the necessary funds, and so the ship was seized, ending any chance for the station to continue.[citation needed]