Latest Updates
Ads
Power House Radio
Paul H was a fan of reggae music and used listen to PCRL. Through that influence he decided to start his own station. So with a 10 Watt transmitter and some help from his mate HMV (aka Johnny B), on the 7th February 1988 Power House Radio was born (complete with The Thunderbirds theme tune).
This was to be the start of a new era in West Midland pirate radio. Up until then, most pirates broadcast recorded programmes from hills or were only on live on Sundays or bank holidays. None the less, these stations were still hounded by the authorities.
Power House were to change that. Not only were they live, but also they were coming on every day. This hadn't been done before and strangely they were left alone by the authorities. This meant they could settle into a routine of broadcasting from 6pm till the early hours every day. As 1988 progressed the hours gradually increased as more presenters joined the station.
Power House were pioneering in other ways too. They broadcast all kinds of music including reggae, rock, oldies and a run down of the Top 40 every Monday. On bonfire night 1988 they broadcast live from a bonfire in Paul H's garden using a spare transmitter to link to the studio. When a phone line was introduced, there were people calling in for requests all day long, the station was becoming extremely popular.
Transmitter power was increased to 25 Watts and then later to 50 Watts with Stereo being added as well. By October they started to take advertising. By late 1988 the station was broadcasting 24 Hrs a day and HMV (Johnny B) appeared on an edition of the regional discussion programme Central Weekend to talk about pirate radio.
By this time it was obvious a raid was imminent. DTI officials had been spotted on the stations CCTV cameras more then once. The raid came on 26th January 1989. They were back on by the same evening but another raid soon followed with another in April.
The station continued through 1989 but as well as people appearing in court and getting hassle from the DTI they now had to deal with competition from other pirates, most notably Freedom 102. Not just competition for audience but also for staff. Some DJs left PHR for Freedom, whilst others started their own stations.
The station was raided again in February of 1990 and after they were raided for a 5th time in May of 1990, they decided to call it a day.
The pirate stations that came on after PHR may have been bigger, slicker and stayed around for longer, but if PHR hadn't done it first would those other stations have existed? We at The Pirate Archive very much doubt it.
And for that PHR, we salute you.
This was to be the start of a new era in West Midland pirate radio. Up until then, most pirates broadcast recorded programmes from hills or were only on live on Sundays or bank holidays. None the less, these stations were still hounded by the authorities.
Power House were to change that. Not only were they live, but also they were coming on every day. This hadn't been done before and strangely they were left alone by the authorities. This meant they could settle into a routine of broadcasting from 6pm till the early hours every day. As 1988 progressed the hours gradually increased as more presenters joined the station.
Power House were pioneering in other ways too. They broadcast all kinds of music including reggae, rock, oldies and a run down of the Top 40 every Monday. On bonfire night 1988 they broadcast live from a bonfire in Paul H's garden using a spare transmitter to link to the studio. When a phone line was introduced, there were people calling in for requests all day long, the station was becoming extremely popular.
Transmitter power was increased to 25 Watts and then later to 50 Watts with Stereo being added as well. By October they started to take advertising. By late 1988 the station was broadcasting 24 Hrs a day and HMV (Johnny B) appeared on an edition of the regional discussion programme Central Weekend to talk about pirate radio.
By this time it was obvious a raid was imminent. DTI officials had been spotted on the stations CCTV cameras more then once. The raid came on 26th January 1989. They were back on by the same evening but another raid soon followed with another in April.
The station continued through 1989 but as well as people appearing in court and getting hassle from the DTI they now had to deal with competition from other pirates, most notably Freedom 102. Not just competition for audience but also for staff. Some DJs left PHR for Freedom, whilst others started their own stations.
The station was raided again in February of 1990 and after they were raided for a 5th time in May of 1990, they decided to call it a day.
The pirate stations that came on after PHR may have been bigger, slicker and stayed around for longer, but if PHR hadn't done it first would those other stations have existed? We at The Pirate Archive very much doubt it.
And for that PHR, we salute you.
Downloads
To save any item from this list then Right Click and 'Save Target As...'
Newspaper Cuttings and Artwork
Card 1
Poster 1
To save any item from this list then Right Click and 'Save Target As...'
Newspaper Cuttings and Artwork
Card 1
Poster 1
Newspaper Article 1
Newspaper Article 2
Newspaper Article 3
Newspaper Article 4
Newspaper Article 5
Newspaper Article 6
Newspaper Article 7
Newspaper Article 2
Newspaper Article 3
Newspaper Article 4
Newspaper Article 5
Newspaper Article 6
Newspaper Article 7
Newspaper Article 8
Newspaper Article 9
Newspaper Article 10
Newspaper Article 11
Newspaper Article 12
Newspaper Article 13
Newspaper Article 14
Newspaper Article 9
Newspaper Article 10
Newspaper Article 11
Newspaper Article 12
Newspaper Article 13
Newspaper Article 14
Audio
| Paul H & John Bee (3rd day on air) 10/2/88 | 91 mins |
| Paul H - 27/3/88 | 31 mins |
| Paul H - 2/4/88 Part 1 | 46 mins |
| Paul H - 2/4/88 Part 2 | 32 mins |
| Tony James - Elvis Show - 3/6/88 | 46 mins |
| Griswell Part 1 | 46 mins |
| Griswell Part 2 | 38 mins |
| Dave W & Mr. T - 14/12/88 | 92 mins |
| Cally - 1988 | 42 mins |
| Cally New Years Eve 1988 | 5 mins |
| Paul H Top 40 Of 1988 Part 1 | 47 mins |
| Paul H Top 40 Of 1988 Part 2 | 46 mins |
| PHR Return After First Raid - 26/1/89 Part 1 | 20 mins |
| PHR Return After First Raid (Playing tape of Cally) Part 2 | 41 mins |
| Andy M & Mr. T 1989 | 25 mins |
| PHR Tests After Raid With HMV 1989 | 26 mins |
| Andy S & Ollie Brooks 1989 | 59 mins |
| PHR Adverts 1988 | 5 mins |
| PHR Advert Out-takes | 3 mins |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
Sounds Alternative pg updated
Freedom FM page updated
County Radio page updated
Pukar Radio page added
UK Radio page updated
Quest FM page added
For full details click Latest
Freedom FM page updated
County Radio page updated
Pukar Radio page added
UK Radio page updated
Quest FM page added
For full details click Latest
Have you ever wanted to transfer your old tapes to your pc ?
Well if you wanted to do this but didn't know how well you're not alone. To solve this problem we have put together a simple little step by step guide and also some "Free" software to help you do just this.
Click Here For The Guide
Well if you wanted to do this but didn't know how well you're not alone. To solve this problem we have put together a simple little step by step guide and also some "Free" software to help you do just this.
Click Here For The Guide
Join our mailing list to be kept up to date with all site updates.
Contact Us:
info@thepiratearchive.co.uk
info@thepiratearchive.co.uk