MusicMann 279
Encyclopedia
MusicMann 279 was the 'working' name of a proposed longwave
radio station
broadcasting from the Isle of Man
to the UK
, Ireland
, and parts of mainland Europe
. It was rumoured that the on-air name would be Caroline 279 after the former pirate radio
station.
The station has been mooted for many years, but due to a variety of technical and legal problems has been delayed several times, and now seems unlikely to launch.
.
A lot of publicity surrounded the project with reports that veteran presenters such as Emperor Rosko
, Mike Read
, Barry "Berlingo" Mung, "Ugli" Ray Teret and Mick Luvzit (both heard on Radio Caroline North in the 1960s), and at least one Manx Radio
personality would be on the station from launch. Other publicity surrounded the proposed crossed field antenna
of 20 m in height which at one time was to be situated on a custom-built platform or a ship to be located close to Radio Caroline North's former anchorage in Ramsey Bay
. However in November 2006 the Company announced it was trying to recover a deposit of £300,000 from Kabbary Antenna Technology after non-delivery problems with the crossed field antenna
for the new station. The station has been referred to as the Long "Wait" Radio Station by the newspaper IOM Today. Rusling eventually left the company in January 2007, reportedly owing to a dispute with the other board members. In October 2007 the station's websites went offline, suggesting that the station will not now be launching and that the Company has finally ceased operations. No evidence to the contrary has emerged since then.
Longwave
In radio, longwave refers to parts of radio spectrum with relatively long wavelengths. The term is a historic one dating from the early 20th century, when the radio spectrum was considered to consist of long, medium and short wavelengths...
radio station
Radio station
Radio broadcasting is a one-way wireless transmission over radio waves intended to reach a wide audience. Stations can be linked in radio networks to broadcast a common radio format, either in broadcast syndication or simulcast or both...
broadcasting from the Isle of Man
Isle of Man
The Isle of Man , otherwise known simply as Mann , is a self-governing British Crown Dependency, located in the Irish Sea between the islands of Great Britain and Ireland, within the British Isles. The head of state is Queen Elizabeth II, who holds the title of Lord of Mann. The Lord of Mann is...
to the UK
United Kingdom
The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern IrelandIn the United Kingdom and Dependencies, other languages have been officially recognised as legitimate autochthonous languages under the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages...
, Ireland
Ireland
Ireland is an island to the northwest of continental Europe. It is the third-largest island in Europe and the twentieth-largest island on Earth...
, and parts of mainland Europe
Europe
Europe is, by convention, one of the world's seven continents. Comprising the westernmost peninsula of Eurasia, Europe is generally 'divided' from Asia to its east by the watershed divides of the Ural and Caucasus Mountains, the Ural River, the Caspian and Black Seas, and the waterways connecting...
. It was rumoured that the on-air name would be Caroline 279 after the former pirate radio
Pirate radio
Pirate radio is illegal or unregulated radio transmission. The term is most commonly used to describe illegal broadcasting for entertainment or political purposes, but is also sometimes used for illegal two-way radio operation...
station.
The station has been mooted for many years, but due to a variety of technical and legal problems has been delayed several times, and now seems unlikely to launch.
History
The company involved in setting up the station (Isle of Man International Broadcasting plc) was headed by Paul RuslingPaul Rusling
Paul Rusling is an East Yorkshire public house and restaurant owner, disc jockey and former radio and publishing entrepreneur who has also identified himself during radio programmes as Paul Alexander.-Life:...
.
A lot of publicity surrounded the project with reports that veteran presenters such as Emperor Rosko
Emperor Rosko
Mike Pasternak, better known by his stage name of Emperor Rosko is a well known pop radio presenter.Born Michael Joseph Pasternak, he is the son of Hollywood film producer Joe Pasternak. He was influenced in his career choice by KYA Radio Los Angeles DJs Lord Tim Hudson and Wolfman Jack...
, Mike Read
Mike Read
Michael David Kenneth Read is an English radio disc jockey, writer, journalist and television presenter.-Early life:...
, Barry "Berlingo" Mung, "Ugli" Ray Teret and Mick Luvzit (both heard on Radio Caroline North in the 1960s), and at least one Manx Radio
Manx Radio
Manx Radio is the national commercial radio station for the Isle of Man.The station began broadcasting on 29 June 1964, almost ten years before commercial radio was licensed in the United Kingdom. The Isle of Man, having its own government and laws, was not subject to the rules prohibiting...
personality would be on the station from launch. Other publicity surrounded the proposed crossed field antenna
Crossed field antenna
A crossed field antenna, or CFA, is a type of antenna for long and mediumwave broadcasting, patented in 1986, which was claimed to have the same efficiency as a conventional antenna but only one-tenth the overall height...
of 20 m in height which at one time was to be situated on a custom-built platform or a ship to be located close to Radio Caroline North's former anchorage in Ramsey Bay
Ramsey Bay
Ramsey Bay is a large bay at the northeastern end of the Isle of Man. It runs for 18 kilometres from the Point of Ayre at the island's northern tip to Maughold Head...
. However in November 2006 the Company announced it was trying to recover a deposit of £300,000 from Kabbary Antenna Technology after non-delivery problems with the crossed field antenna
Crossed field antenna
A crossed field antenna, or CFA, is a type of antenna for long and mediumwave broadcasting, patented in 1986, which was claimed to have the same efficiency as a conventional antenna but only one-tenth the overall height...
for the new station. The station has been referred to as the Long "Wait" Radio Station by the newspaper IOM Today. Rusling eventually left the company in January 2007, reportedly owing to a dispute with the other board members. In October 2007 the station's websites went offline, suggesting that the station will not now be launching and that the Company has finally ceased operations. No evidence to the contrary has emerged since then.