Laser558

A couple of weeks before it was reported by Radio Netherlands Media Network a friend of mine Patrick tipped me off that there would be a second pirate radio ship off the British coast. Considering that it had taken years to get Caroline back this was a surprise. Originally known as Laser730 tests would eminate on 729 kHz. The initial tests used a helium balloon to raise the aerial  and were received far and wide.  At my locale near Gatwick it was stronger than Caroline using the 50kW at 30kW or so. Sadly this failed as their was not a corona shield installed near the balloon and the balloon flew off.  With the project at risk of collapsing broadcast engineers rigged a temporary antenna between the ships masts. This put out a much weaker signal but this time some engineers raised shows under the jingle call sign KOPA. 

Laser558 had a massive impact on the UK radio scene, The BBC had extensive needletime restrtictions Radio 1 could only play 50 to 60% music from discs. They tried to make up on this by live music shows and concerts.  The result of this meant  would be substantial chat on what was supposed to be a music network. Steve Wright introduced the zoo format from the US which went down well with this bosses as they all talked for half the time! The UKs commercial radio network had similar restrictions imposed. The restructions were due to action by the musicians union and other trade unions.  They couldn't be Top 40 stations like most of the 60s offshore radios and many had a format like a Radio One and a half. (a mix of Radio1 and 2 format).  Some but not all stations were 24 hours.

Despite not being able to use fullpower due to aerial restrictions the Laser had a massive service area on 558 kHz. due to the low frequency. A signal (the groundwave) on 500 kHz would travel three times as far as on 1500 kHz giving a considerable increase in servicer area.  Power was up to 18 kW into the aerial.. On my Grundig it would show around 25 out of 55, Caroline on 963 was about 30 or so. (using approx 25/30kW) Caroline on 576  would be around 10 to 15 and they were down on 2/4kW.

Along came Laser with no restrictions and "your never more than 60 seconds away from the music".  Laser hit the news headlines and word spread  by word of mouth. They could be heard everywhere. Shops, restaurants and taxis. The station had an immediate effect on the charts (what I call the Laser effect) . The best example is Relax by Frankie goes to Hollywood, It had been banned by the Beeb. It had been relased in November 1983 and despite the ban got to number one in January. It then slid down the charts to Number 31 in May 1984. Laser comming on-air played Relax as well as their current record Two Tribes.  The Lasereffect got Relax back up to No2 in July. 

Laser was quite notable for their female DJs. On UK radio you were lucky to have one female DJ/presenter on a station. Laser changed all that and at times  three Laserettes could be heard. And not stuffed away on a graveyard shift. On Laser they did primetime daytime shows  back to back a revolution back in the mid 80s.

The success of Laser didn't go down at all well with the commercial opposition. where listeners left in droves. They split into two camps. Essex Radio wanted the pirates particularly Laser558 shut down whilst the likes of Invicta realised that for local issues etc they could use that as a weapon to keep listeners. Invicta also tended to recruit ex Caroline DJs and became known as Caroline West in the trade.

It was known to many that there was a lot of sympathy amongst ILR and BBC staff for the pirates.  Many provided illicit support which would have got them fired if it had come out. For examnple the tuning coil for Laser on 558 kHz was designed and installed by Andy Gemmel Smith who was Andy Anderson on 70s pirate Radio Atlantis from the MV Jeanine.  A well known IBA engineer would take a long holiday from the site at Saffron Green (LBC AM on 1152 kHz and Capital 1548). His holiday was spent on the MV Ross Revenge! His employers found out and he had to stop or lose his job.  In contrast one ILR station MD wanted to illegally seize the ship Communicator and bring it into port.  He was annoyed that some of his staff were behind the scenes working for Laser558.

Of course the pirates as well as luring listeners in also worked to the interest of the legal stations. This way they could pressure the authorites to ease the oppresive  needletime restrictions and this eventually happened. Did ILR management passively support the pirates in this case? Well I have asked the question to the likes of Broadcast Consultant Paul Rusling. Needless to say no-one wants to answer that. I'll leave you to read between the lines.