Farewell West Yorkshire

Well, today was my last day at Arqiva. So. it seems a good time for a final round-up of what's on air in the Leeds area:

Roundhay Radio are doing an RSL on 87.7 FM. RDS = ROUNDHAY

Fresh FM 95.6 and Peoples FM 104.5 are still on-air. Haven't heard Radio Frequency 88.1 for about a week now - raided?

Ah well, still haven't found a new job yet so it looks like I'm on the 'rock 'n' roll' for now. Nevertheless, I'm determined not to let my radio skills go to waste ... and I've plenty of time on my hands to pursue my latest 'project' ...

Leeds pirates gone

Early this afternoon, Fresh FM were noted at the Cedar Court Hotel, near Wakefield (off junction 39 of the M1) - some way south of Leeds. Signal was strong enough for the RDS to be readable.

By 4pm this evening, however, no Leeds pirates were heard; Fresh FM and Peoples FM were gone.

Raided?

Fresh FM is a thriller

From 4pm, DJ GQ on Leeds pirate Fresh FM 95.6 seemed to be dedicating his show to music by Michael Jackson. This was apparently to celebrate the 25th anniversary of his Thriller album.

Well, when he played Thriller itself, it certainly set the atmosphere for the gale-swept drive home down the (often rather bleak) A1.

I also noticed that Fresh FM have again started using dynamic RDS, and were using it to advertise and under-18's disco. (Either appropriate or ironic, depending on your opinion of MJ himself!)

Leeds pirates return

Both Fresh FM 95.6 and Peoples FM 104.5 were back today.

Fresh FM 95.6 noted in the morning, just before 8am, playing reggae music. Scrolling RDS.

Just after 4pm, Peoples FM 104.5 had also returned. No RDS received.

Also this afternoon, Leeds 11 FM 87.9 had been joined by an as yet unidentified Asian station on 87.7 FM. Very weak signal in Garforth, still audible some way down the A1, implying the station is not from Leeds (Bradford maybe?)

Leeds pirates missing presumed raided

No Leeds pirates heard today, an unusual event.

Not only was Peoples FM 104.5 totally missing, so was Fresh FM 95.6 - there wasn't even the usual "hiss relay" normally heard on 95.6 when Fresh is off-air (presumably they switch off the link TX at the studio, but leave their main TX transmitting and relaying the hiss received by its link receiver).

Strongly suspect Ofcom have had a round of ether-ic cleansing in the Leeds area.

Fresh FM Leeds

On way home from work at 16:00, Fresh FM 95.6 heard.

RDS = FRESH-FM

Jingle heard was "95.6 in the mix, that's how we're doin' it".

Fresh FM section on Northern Base website