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.
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
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
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
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
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.
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.
