EST / Empire Radio

In the late 70s and early 80s there were many short wave pirates broadcasting from the UK, and one of the most popular was Empire Radio.

They first took to the air on 28th May 1978, broadcasting on 6200 kHz Short Wave, with the slogan “Serving a Free United Europe”. This was later changed to “The Voice of Alternative Broadcasting in Europe”.

Regular, monthly, broadcasts were made for nearly 3 years, and attracted a loyal audience across much of Northern Europe. DJs included Albert Hall, Mike Thomas, Rick St James and Dave Cooper. Up to 100 letters per month were received from as far afield as France, Belgium, Holland, Germany and all Scandinavian countries, in addition to the whole of the UK.

Some Empire Radio DJs also did shows on local medium wave pirates such as Radio Free Birmingham at the time, so when Empire stopped regular broadcasts they decided to start their own local stations. Mike Thomas became Keith Rogers, and set up Sounds Alternative, while Dave Cooper (along with Rick St James of Empire) established EST (Electronic Sound Transmission).

Sounds Alternative broadcast to the West Midlands on Medium Wave between 1980 and 1985, while EST broadcast to the West Midlands on FM between 1981 and 1985.

Although regular Empire Radio transmissions ceased at the end of 1980, it never quite went away and still made spasmodic broadcasts. The most recent was in 1999 – Still with the same old crew! Also, one of Empire and EST’s biggest fans set up Crystal Radio on Short wave in the mid 80s, which would also sometimes feature some of the Empire crew!

For more information about EST then why not read the full EST story as written by Dave Cooper, Albert Hall, Tim Shepherd & Nick.

Click Here to read the full EST Story

More on Sounds Alternative can be found Here

Downloads

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Artwork/Photos

Paper Cuttings

Audio

Empire Radio – Mike Thomas – 12/11/78	44 mins
Empire Radio – JF’s Choice – 12/11/78	44 mins
Empire Radio – JF’s Choice – 10/12/78	41 mins
Empire Radio – JF’s Choice – 31/12/78	41 mins
Empire Radio – Paul Matthews Album Show 1 – 1979	31 mins
Empire Radio – Paul Matthews Album Show 2 – 1979	29 mins
Empire Radio – Dave Cooper – 30/12/79	40 mins
Empire Radio – Mike Thomas – 6/4/80	52 mins
Empire Radio – Dave Cooper – 28/8/82	55 mins
WKAT – Test Transmission – Feb 1981	28 mins
EST 94.3 – 1st Broadcast – Various DJs – 4/7/81	94 mins
EST 94.3 – Paul Matthews – Good Beer Guides – 4/7/81 To 21/2/82	101 mins
EST 94.3 – Closedown – 4/7/81	3 mins
EST 94.3 – Dave Cooper – 5/7/81	8 mins
EST 94.3 – Martin – 29/7/81	46 mins
EST 94.3 – Martin – Dave Cooper – 29/7/81	46 mins
EST 94.3 – Dave Cooper – 18/7/81	38 mins
EST 94.3 – Various DJs – Clips – 31/8/81	102 mins
EST 94.3 – Dave Cooper, Paul Matthews & Martin 13/9/81	60 mins
EST 94.3 – Paul Matthews 60s Hitback Show – Xmas 1981	58 mins
EST 94.3 – Martin, Linda & Dave Cooper – June 1982	31 mins
EST 94.3 – Dave Cooper – Nick – 19/12/82	87 mins
EST 94.3 – Linda & Dave Cooper	47 mins
EST 94.3 – Sally Slapcabbage – 12/6/83	47 mins
EST 94.3 – Neil Shaw – Albert Hall – 26/6/83	61 mins
EST 94.3 – Music Time – 31/7/83	39 mins
EST 94.3- Dave Cooper – 2/10/83	7 mins
EST 94.3 – Paul Matthews 60s Special – Xmas 1983	46 mins
EST 94.3 – Paul Matthews 70s Special – Xmas 1983	47 mins
EST 94.3 – Linda, Nick & Alice In Wonderland – 12/2/84	94 mins
EST 103 – Albert Hall & Sally Slapcabbage – 1 – 1984	62 mins
EST 103 – Albert Hall & Sally Slapcabbage – 2 – 1984	60 mins
EST 103 – Mike Farrall – 8/7/84	50 mins
EST 103 – Kingmaster – 25/12/84	47 mins
EST 103 – Mike Farrall – 25/12/84	47 mins
Crystal Radio – Clips – 1984	1 mins
Crystal Radio – Bob Barton – Show 1 – March 1984	31 mins
Crystal Radio – Bob Barton – Show 2 – March 1984	31 mins
Crystal Radio – Bob Barton – Show 3 – May 1984	30 mins
Crystal Radio – Bob Barton – Show 4 – May 1984	28 mins
Crystal Radio – Bob Barton – Show 5 – June 1984	26 mins
Crystal Radio – Dave Cooper – Show 1 – June 1985	44 mins
Crystal Radio – Dave Cooper – Show 2 – June 1985	45 mins