We would all like to thank those of you who listened in and took the trouble to support us.
Red Sands Radio is essentially a local radio service aimed at Whitstable and the North Kent coast. Licenced by Ofcom, (the Broadcasting Regulator) as a Restricted Service for a maximum period of 28 days per year. RSR chose to operate for only 10 days for various reasons. Mainly cost and the availability of staff over the longer period of 28 days. Each contributor gives their time for free.
The aims of Red Sands Radio are to raise awareness of the Thames Estuary Sea Forts which defended Britain in WW2. It also promotes the work of PROJECT REDSAND geared to restore and maintain The Redsand Fort for future generations. RSR is also dedicated to promoting the music of local unsigned musicians, local community events and is now becoming very much a part of the Whitstable scene.
The small number of onboard staff are fully experienced at working in uncomfortable conditions with risks attached. Each person has to be prepared to act promptly in an emergency and accept an average of 4 hours sleep! Unlike our shore based counterparts, we can’t return to a cosy home at night- BUT we love it!
During the setting up and operating periods of June and July the weather was mostly VERY poor. These conditions required us to withdraw plans for live music from the Fort in the interests of health and safety. Most people appreciate that conditions at Redsands are considerably worse than during the 1960’s so that operating in stormy and wet weather makes life rather difficult resulting in the odd “hiccup” or two, much loved by fans of “offshore radio”!
We are now looking at August/September for our future broadcasts. There’s no guarantee of good weather but perhaps a later period would be more settled. This will also depend on other works being carried out at the Fort. If funding can be raised for 28 days and we have the staff, this will be implemented. This is of course subject to the required licences being granted.
The feedback from our target area of Whitstable & Herne Bay has so far been superb with listeners reporting excellent reception, good local content and high audience figures. In our second year of broadcasting we were supported by local sponsorship and small business advertising. We are happy to announce that all our sponsors have reported a good response and were delighted with their ads.
Please see our gallery pages for images of RSR 2008 which will be updated as new pictures come in. You can also see some fabulous images on Bob LeRoi’s own site: www.bobleroi.co.uk
So until next time,
Best wishes,
BOB LE ROI, ROBIN ADCROFT, PETER CHICAGO, TONY PINE, ZAC VAN RENSBURG, MANDY KEWLEY, JOHN LUBEC, ALAN LITTLE, BLACK PRINTZ, GLYN RICHARDS, KEVIN TURNER, VAUGHN, PHIL SHEPPERD, DAVE FOSTER, ROB ASHARD, RON & JULIE VANSITTART , ALAN SINGLETON
Broadcasting from the Thames Estuary Red Sands Radio might be all at sea but its HQ is in Whitstable & it’s serviced from the harbour there. In the mid 1960’s Radio Sutch, the first station to use a Fort later Radio City settled on Shivering Sands. Meanwhile Radio Invicta later KING then Radio 390, took over the Red Sands. They too were supplied from Whitstable Harbour; Fred Downs owner skipper of the ‘Harvesters’ looked after the needs on Shivering Sands whilst Vic Davies served Red Sands with his ‘Mallard’
Operating outside then British Territorial waters both stations kept a low profile, the Forts were unlit as shown on the Admiralty charts, & no flag ever flew from their radio towers. Now in 2008 broadcasting & operating within British law Red Sands Radio has commissioned its own flag to fly from the Fort top
Said media designer ‘Kathia’ “Initially the idea was to use the overall layout plan of the Forts, but artistically I created a design based on a red background that encompassed the Fort’s elevation in yellow surrounded by the distinctive well know life ring”
Red Sands Radio launches on 4th July 2008. For more information contact Red Sands Radio, PO Box 299, Whitstable, Kent, CT5 2YA or telephone 07961 601 893
Bob Le-Roi - Programme Director
------------------
Mass Communicator
Communication is changing at an ever-faster rate as today’s I.T demands technically efficient voice over Internet communication. So it’s with pleasure Red Sands Radio welcomes aboard ‘Select Sponsor Partner’ VoIPon Solutions
VoIPon Managing Director Keir Argent said “Red Sands Radio uses the familiar Amplitude Modulated Transmitters for its output. Make no mistake Medium Wave & conventional analogue frequencies are set for big changes in future communication, we at VoIPon are pleased to be working with Red Sands Radio a station that brings excitement back to radio”
VoIPon is a trading division of Keison International Limited successfully distributing industrial products around the world for over 20 years. VoIPon utilises this experience in the rapidly expanding area of voice over IP telecommunications technology. With a wide range of top named brands VoIPon has built an impressive portfolio of clients VoIPon is undoubtedly a market leader in voice over Internet communication.
Bob Le-Roi - Programme Director
------------------
Tower gets Tower
Once fitted with an impressive 200-foot mast topping the Red Sands Fort towering 117 feet from the seabed the Pirate Radio 390 antenna could be seen for miles. That was when British territorial limits extended just 3 miles. Brought within British waters by legislation the Fort Pirate Radio stations found them selves outlawed & closed down by early 1967
Now 2008 sees a new & highly efficient transmitter antenna being installed on the Fort. Replacing the temporary mast a new giant sectional purpose built structure is being erected for Red Sands Radio
Said senior technician Tony Pine overseeing the installation of the new system “It’s an incredible structure, being both light & exceptionally strong.” “Riggers will step the mast in sections before a special top hat is fitted to match the transmitter out put to the antenna”
Bob Le-Roi - Programme Director
------------------
Talented talent
Whilst Red Sands Radio may be all at sea it’s more than ever promoting local talent, unsigned local bands, musicians & perhaps even some untried presenters
Red Sands Radio Programme Director said “ We showcased a whole raft of new, local & unsigned talent last year.” “Unlike other radio that only play tracks after they’ve become hits, & at best bury local bands & singers on their websites”
“Red Sands Radio in a quest to promote even more local talent this year will be including unsigned music in most of our programmes”
Composers, Songwriters, Groups, Bands, Soloists & would be Presenters are invited to sent unreleased material for broadcast consideration to Red Sands Radio, PO Box 299, Whitstable, Kent, CT5 2YA
------------------
Baileys-Nissan
Priding them selves on being the local premium supplier of the Nissan range of cars Baileys-Nissan of Vauxhall Road Road, Canterbury has become a ‘Select Sponsor Partner’ in Red Sands Radio
Said, general manager Brian Smith “We’re active in our support of local enterprise & events which we believe are crucial to the area. Baileys-Nissan has long been associated with Whitstable’s 10 kilometre run which attracts several hundred entries.”
“Red Sands Radio too has a big following, the station has a finger on the local pulse, & plays great music. It reminds us of the days when radio made exciting listening, we’re glad to be aboard”
Bob Le-Roi - Programme Director
------------------
It’s a Blast
The reputable pleasure craft operator ‘Bayblast’ has joined the Offshore party.
‘Bayblast’ who run five high speed RiB’s (Ridged Reinforced Boats) from Herne Bay& Whitstable has become a select sponsor of Red Sands Radio.
Said John Harrison of ‘Bayblast’ “We took crew & supplies to & from the Fort last year.” “Bob Le-Roi often comes out with us on conducted tours to explain the history of the Radio Forts.” “Everyone along the coast was listening last time, we’re pleased to be behind the local station that plays more than the just the same few songs day in & out”
You can book a ‘Bayblast’ pleasure trip by ringing 07800 754 493 or popping into their booking huts at Herne Bay or Whitstable Harbour.
Bob Le-Roi - Programme Director
------------------
ICOM joins RED SANDS RADIO
Herne Bay based Radio Communication Company, ICOM UK become a ‘Select Sponsor Partner’ of Red Sands Radio. Established in 1974 in Herne Bay, Kent. ICOM (UK) Ltd is privately owned & is sole UK/Ireland importer for ICOM Inc. Osaka Japan. A comprehensive portfolio of radio transceiver, receiver, navigation & computer products is maintained by a staff of 39 to suit the consumer, commercial, radio-amateur, marine & aviation markets. Equipment is available in fixed-base, vehicle-mobile & handheld formats to suit a wide range of specifications & applications
ICOM Managing Director Phil Hadler said “We very much enjoyed the programmes of Red Sands Radio last year, it was a breath of fresh air hearing something different that was topical & local that played a wide range of music. We as a specialist organisation realised how difficult it was to pull off the initiative & are pleased to be supporting the project hereon”
Red Sands Radio Programme Director Bob Le-Roi replied, “ICOM were amazing they called us up out of the blue & maintained a reassuring link throughout our broadcasts. ICOM have a mutual interest in what were doing & we’re delighted they’re aboard. We’re offering ICOM facilities to conduct experimental World-Wide ‘Ham Radio Broadcasts’ during this summers transmission period”
Bob Le-Roi - Programme Director
------------------
Aerial takes a tumble
The severe gales over recent weeks have taken their toll at the Red Sands Fort. Situated seven nautical miles out from Whitstable in the Thames Estuary, the Forts are exposed to the full onslaught of winds from every direction. So hardly a surprise that the transmitter antenna installed on the Red Sands Fort last summer has taken a tumble
Said radio engineer & overall Project Redsand Chairman Robin Adcroft “We’re disappointed it’s fallen but in reality it was a tempory antenna which we didn’t expect to survive the winter”. He continued, “We have a new and permanent replacement ready to ship out and erect for this and future Red Sands Radio broadcasts”
Red Sands Radio plans a return to the air in early July 2008
For more information telephone
07961 601 893
Bob Le-Roi - Programme Director
