These pages will attempt to document the many and varied free radio broadcasters who operated in the Edinburgh area over the period roughly between 1970 and 1990.

 

 

Early operators were mostly on medium wave "AM", using primarily homebrew transmitting equipment with thermionic valve technology.

Laterally some stations came up on the VHF FM band which by around 1986 was starting to overtake medium wave in popularity for everyday listening.

Some stations also operated on shortwave being heard worldwide when conditions were suitable!

 

The majority of these early stations attempted to broadcast every Sunday for a few hours in the daylight period, typically noon till early evening.

 

As it was of course illegal to transmit, having no licence, the authorities would attempt to track down and locate operators in an effort to prosecute offenders.

If they were successful the pirates had transmitting equipment confiscated and were summoned to the local sheriff court some months later to hear their fate.

This could be full forfeiture of equipment used and a fine of up to £400 and/or 6 months in prison!

 

These penalties were subsequently increased to an unlimited fine and/or 2 years imprisonment also anyone convicted of an offence is barred from working on

a legal station for 5 years.

The authority to pursue operators was originally with the Post Office Radio Services in their little green vans. Laterally the Post Office Radio Services were

incorporated into British Telecom and following privatisation in 1984 the radio inspectors transferred to the DTI, a department of the Home Office.