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MERSEYSIDE LBP - MERSEYSIDE FREE RADIO (MFR)

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Merseyside Free Radio began broadcasting a big signal across the North West on 1242kHz in early December 1982.  It appeared to be a re-incarnation of the old powerful Station J1000, which had continued with Andy Davis on the FM band only during 1982.  The station initially didn't seem to have a name but the term D.B.C. was heard (was this short for the 'Davis Broadcasting Company'?, after its operator Andy Davis), but mostly, deejays just referred to it as 'free radio on AM and FM'.  Frequencies were announced as 1242kHz / 241 metres on AM and 97.55MHz FM in stereo.   By January 1983 the station began announcing as Merseyside Free Radio.   M.F.R. had several well known jocks on from the time including Kevin Hall, Steven Bishop and Andy Davis and pumped out a massive signal across the North West. On the broadcast on Sunday 17th April 1983, deejays announced it may be the final transmission due to new laws being introduced. It is not known how long the station broadcast after this but by 27th July, they were reported in Tim Jackson's 'Merseyside Report' as having closed, having not been heard for 'some time'.

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Merseyside Free Radio Audio Library

1982_12_05_sun_mfr_1242am_1156-1310_stevebishop-gh444.mp3 New May 2023 Sunday 5th December 1982 was thought to be the first day of 'regular' transmission for this station. This recording was made near Blackpool from 1242kHz and the tape was a bit bass heavy.  Also towards the end, the signal drops, and there is a lot of local electrical noise. This may have been due to a receiving aerial issue. 67MB
73mins
1982_12_12_sun_mfr_1242am_1124-1210_kevinhall_stevebishop-gh048.mp3 New May 2023 Kevin Hall on 12th December 1982, which was the second week on the air for this station which still did not have a proper name. This week it was  just announcing as 'AM and FM Free Radio For Merseyside' on 241m and 97.6MHz in stereo. Steve Bishop follows Kevin Hall at mid-day. Ths station was using big power and this recording was made near Blackpool from 1242kHz. 42MB
46mins
1982_12_12_sun_mfr_1242am_2030-2116_stevebishop-gh048.mp3 New May 2023 More of Steve Bishop from 12th December, this time 8:30 in the evening as he waits for the results of the phone-in to be returned to the studio. He is also asking for deejay demo tapes. Recorded near Blackpool from 1242kHz. 42MB
46mins
1982_12_19_sun_mfr_1242am_1054-1116_signon_kevinhall-gh442.mp3 New May 2023 This recording from Sunday 19th December 1982 starts with test music and then a live sign on announcement with Andy Davis as 'Merseyside's Free Radio', with Kevin Hall then being the first show at 11am. It was announced that there was problem with the FM, so wouldn't be used this week. Recorded whilst on the move near Blackpool from 1242kHz. 21MB
23mins
1982_12_19_sun_mfr_1242am_1127-1205_kevinhall_stevebishop-gh442.mp3 New May 2023 A continuation of the above Kevin Hall show until mid-day when Steve Bishop takes over. Recorded on the move near Blackpool from 1242kHz. 35MB
38mins
1982_12_19_sun_mfr_1242am_1205-1300_stevebishop-gh442.mp3 New May 2023 Just under an hour of Steve Bishop continuing from above. Recorded near Blackpool from 1242kHz. 50MB
54mins
1982_12_19_sun_mfr_1242am_1303-1405_stevebishop_andydavis-gh442.mp3 New May 2023 The second hour of Steve Bishop from 19th December 1982 until 2pm, when he hands over to Andy Davis. Recorded near Blackpool from 1242kHz. 54MB
58mins
1982_12_19_sun_mfr_1242am_1424-1627_andydavis_kevinhall_nickcatford-gh442.mp3 New May 2023 This recording lasts almost two hours and includes the last 35 minutes of the above Andy Davis show, followed by an hour of Kevin Hall at 3pm, and then Nick Catford from 4pm. Recorded near Blackpool from 1242kHz. 109MB
118mins
1983_01_09_sun_mfr_1242am_1108-1155_kevinhall-gh043.mp3 New May 2023 Kevin Hall on Sunday morning 9th January 1983.  The station finally seemed to now be being announced as 'Merseyside Free Radio'. Recorded near Blackpool from 1242kHz. 43MB
47mins
1983_03_06_sun_mfr_1242am_1030-1131_stevebishop_alanjohnson-gh453.mp3 New May 2023 Steve Bishop starts up the programming for Sunday 6th March 1983 at 1030 before Alan Johnson hosts at 11am. The signal and audio didn't seem quite as good this particular week. Recorded near Blackpool from 1242kHz. 56MB
61mins
1983_03_06_sun_mfr_1242am_1203-1302_stevebishop-gh453.mp3 New May 2023 More of the above broadcast with the first hour of Steve Bishop's lunchtime show. Recorded near Blackpool from 1242kHz. 55MB
60mins
1983_03_06_sun_mfr_1242am_1314-1414_stevebishop_andydavis-gh453.mp3 New May 2023 The last part of the above Steve Bishop's show with Andy Davis following at 2pm. Recorded near Blackpool from 1242kHz. 55MB
60mins
1983_03_06_sun_mfr_1242am_1424-1524_andydavis_kevinhall-gh453.mp3 New May 2023 Andy Davis finishes his show at 3pm and is followed by Kevin Hall. Recorded near Blackpool from 1242kHz. 56MB
61mins
1983_03_06_sun_mfr_1242am_1527-1627_kevinhall_nickcatford-gh453.mp3 New May 2023 The second part of Kevin Hall who is followed at 4pm by Nick Catford. Recorded near Blackpool from 1242kHz. 56MB
61mins
1983_03_06_sun_mfr_1242am_1630-1720_nickcatford_kevinpalmer-gh453.mp3 New May 2023 The last hour of recordings we have from Sunday 6th March 1983 has Nick Catford followed at 5pm by Kevin Palmer. Recorded near Blackpool from 1242kHz where the foreign station was starting to cause issues to reception. 47MB
51mins
1983_04_17_sun_mfr_1242am_1155-1205_airchecks_recorded_in_scotland-kb.mp3 New May 2023 Some airchecks of MFR from around noon on the day the station announced they might by closing due to new radio legislation. In fact they were still on the air in May. Recorded in Scotland from 1242kHz. 5MB
5mins
1983_05_15_sun_mfr_1242am_1230-1345_stevenbishop-gh469.mp3 New May 2023 Some partly airchecked recordings of Steve Bishop from 15th May 1983. At the end he mentions he was about to go and work on a big new Irish station operated by Chris Cary. Only 3 days later, Radio Nova were raided and the mentioned 50kW transmitter removed, although it would be returned later in the year and eventually be used. Recorded near Blackpool from 1242kHz. 70MB
76mins

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