The MV Ross Revenge, with original 300 foot tower. This is how the Ross looked when Caroline returned to the air in 1983, after a three year break following the sinking of the Mi Amigo in 1980. This is the tallest mast ever erected on a ship, and as such deserves to be featured in the Guiness Book of records. However, due to the nature of the ship, this fact has never been officially recognised. The mast suffered structural damage in hurricane force winds in October 1987, and collapsed during a strong storm a few weeks later, before remedial work could be actioned. Fortunatley, the ship suffered little physical damage during the collapse, but it can be argued the station never recovered from this situation although various different antenna systems were subsequently tested. (Photo by East Anglia Productions)

The MV Communicator was home to All Europe Radio - Laser 558, in 1984 and 1985. Singlehandedly, this station revolutionised the entire sound of radio within the UK. With its formula of never more than a minute from the music, listeners took to the station and deserted landbased outlets in their millions. This immense success caused much political embarassment, and the government eventually started to blockade the Communicator and Ross Revenge in the Summer of 1985. Referred to on air by the Laser crew as Eurosiege '85, (which caused even more concern to the government) this action was to find out where the station was getting its supplies from. Ultimately, this action forced Laser 558 off air, when, running low on fuel and other supplies, and faced with generator failure on 5th November 1985, the crew radioed for assistance, and were towed into port, where the ship was impounded. The ship was later auctioned off by the Admiralty Marshall, and although a clause in the conditions of sale stated that the new owner would not use the ship for broadcasting, it was fully re-fitted whilst in a British port, for use as a "Radio Museum". In what must be one of the greatest beauracratic bungles of all time, the conditions of sale did not apply to subsequent owners, so once re-fitted the Communicator was sold to a Hunduras company and simply sailed back to sea, and re-launched as Laser Hot-Hits in December 1986. (Photo by Anoraks UK)

Following the introduction of the 1990 Broadcasting Act, which effectively finished Radio Carolines days as an offshore broadcaster, the station made its first foray into satellite broadcasting in March 1991. This is the rear of Innovation House in Camberley, which at that time housed Chris Careys "Hi-Tech" decoder manufacturing operation. From within the same building, Carey had been operating his Radio Nova service on satellite, but due to heavy losses, had closed the station, and offered the remaining paid up transponder time to the Caroline orgainisation. Although very popular with the listeners, the plug was pulled by the Caroline management a few weeks later, when things started to go politically astray. The illfated studio is to the right of the picture, behind the large dish.

During the silent years of the early '90s, there were many attempts to keep the Caroline name in the minds of its listeners. One such venture was the opening of Caroline Music, a second hand record shop in Archway Road, Highgate, London by two ex-presenters. The location was chosen due to its proximity to what had become Carolines unofficial landbased HQ. Sitting here in 1999, I can't remember when the picture was taken (I guess early 1993) or what records I had purchased just prior to having my picture taken. (what an Anorak!)

Merchandising of the staion is always an important method of spreading the word, and raising funds. During each RSL, premises are found somewhere in the locale to sell goods, and here is the Caroline sales booth, on Clacton Pier, in August 1995.

An essential part of maintenance on the Ross Revenge is to protect its exterior from the elements. Here we see Steve K. demonstrate how to reach the parts other paints can't reach!

Not directly offshore radio related, but it is a nice picture! The moon rises above Walton pier in the early hours during the broadcasts of Offshore 1584 in August 1992. The Galexy is just out of view, to the left.