AM/FM: The Guide

The real radio times

Horizon '87 relaunches as Chicago '87... Split 1 from RJR creates City Radio... More rock 'n' roll with the arrival of Radio Embassy... Girls FM finally begin programming... Kiss FM run through from Fridays... Launch of Arab Radio London... With soul and Indian music comes London Asian Radio... More soul from Mainline Radio... Kjazz back, with Starpoint sometimes... The return of a dinosaur as Radio Free London makes another appearance... From the ashes of LTFM, Raiders FM touches down... Even more soul from Soul FM... Solar Radio prepare to go 7 days... And yet more from Touch FM... Split 2 from RJR creates WNK: Wicked Neutral and Kicking:.. TKO move back to their old frequency... Star Force 576 (formerly Laser Hot Hits) are go...

AM/FM is the comprehensive guide to radio listening in London, and what's happening in the rest of the UK.

London Guide
Here you'll find a full guide to all the stations you can tune in to in and around London: BBC National and Local Radio, Independent Radio, offshore and unlicensed radio stations. For each station you'll find news, selected programme listings, times of broadcasting, formats, addresses and more.
Choice Cuts
Our choice of some of the best and most original programmes on London's airwaves.
The full list
An alphabetical listing of stations, frequencies, formats and times.

For each station in the London guide we try to give details of their approximate primary coverage area. This is where they can be picked up using a normal, portable radio. You may well be able to pick up a station outside this area, especially if you've got better equipment.

Reception of most pirates is variable, with a station coming in superbly one week and then poorly the next. Stations may also be off the air for several days — or occasionally weeks. Remember also that it is an offence to listen to an unlicensed station.

If reception of a station you to listen to isn't too good, then here are a few ideas to try to improve the signal.

Try and use either a good portable radio with its telescopic radio fully extended, or a hi-fi tuner with a roof mounted aerial. A roof aerial should be mounted as high as possible, and you will probably need an aerial rotator if you listen to a large number of stations from different directions. Don't buy a masthead amplifier, which are useless in all but a very few applications.

When using a portable radio, try moving it around the room and changing the angle of the telescopic aerial. Moving the radio just a few inches can make an amazing difference to reception. One especially good tip is to put the radio near to a window. Listening in an upstairs room may also help.

The best advice must remain: tune around and see what you can pick up. Then refer back to AM/FM for more details.

Credits

AM/FM is compiled by Steve Hamley with help from Ken North. Special thanks also to Clive and Sid. Thanks to the following stations for their help... Radio Activity, Radio Badger, Chicago '87, Clockwork Wireless, CDR, Direct Line Radio, Radio Duck, Faze1 FM, Fresh FM, JBC, Kiss FM, London Music Radio, London Rock, LWR, Melody FM, Network 21, Quest FM, RFM, Solar Radio, South West Sound, Starpoint Radio, Studio One, Time FM and WNK.

Stations

Have we got your schedule?

Programme schedules, news and information are greatly appreciated and help to ensure that your station's listings are comprehensive and accurate.

Get in contact by mail at Radio Today, BCM Box 225, London, WC1N 3XX. By phone on 01-400 8282, leaving a number we can reach you at on Friday or Saturday. By E-mail on 01 509 XXXX.

Radio Today Infoline

For the latest news of what's happening on London's radio dial, call our 24 hour a day recorded information service on 01-400 8282. There are 10 lines waiting for your call right now.

Updates are carried out at 5pm Sunday and 9pm Wednesday, with special updates for hot news stories.

You can also leave messages for us with your news, questions and comments.