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Horizon Radio

From neil@>>>>>>>>>>>>>.com

Hi
I’d be interested to know what was the average transmitter power Horizon used? Were there times when more or less power was used? And what was the estimated ERP (was a single dipole used or were phased doubles used)? I lived in Hertford, 30ish miles north of Crystal Palace and normally had good reception without using external aerials.
Many Thanks

Reply:

Hi Neil

Good to hear from you
The highest power Horizon Radio ever used was 450 watts into a slimjim

We took this down one day to test a new antenna Chris designed. The new aerial was originally from a 2m design but scaled up for frequency IE 102.5fm, this sort of resembled a triple dipole at first but built out of 13mm copper water pipe using standard copper solder joints. Pyers over in Walthamstow did a test on it before it was changed and after the new test rig 100 watt went in. The system was 7 times more powerful on 100 watts than the 450watts thanks to the new aerial. That was it that aerial then stayed in to the end and had a 160 watt transmitter attached to it. Easy cheap and quick to build and worked better that any dipoles. Others who could, then copied our design.

We will feature this  design in the Antenna section on this website so you can see it.

The best aerial ever used in the 80’s that is why we got out so well, later getting to hear of regular listeners in Luton and 20 miles west of Reading, Southend and Brighton.

Tower block aerials were always alloy slimjims, we should have use copper as we found out later.  Because you could leave them up and no one except Eric would know they were there. Horizon Radio had one install at Peckham Rye that came on late at night and it lasted nearly a year, we did not have to visit, as it came on auto from the studio as we changed transmitters in the early days.

A secret place near you helped out with the final rig design, can’t say any-more but sort of Gov and it was the full wattage going to the aerial as we worked overtime on keeping Horizon rigs clean. Even the Gas board at CP helped.

I hope that helps, ERP sorry no Idea. in those days it was all about the listeners as far away from CP that we could get the signal to.

Thanks for the email

From: Paul <________@soulfulgrooves.com>
Subject: Gary Lee

Message Body:
You may already be aware but if not just to let you know Gary Lee passed away in December 2016.

Hi Paul

Very sad news, we did not know, a little shocked tonight to hear that. Gary was the first DJ to join Horizon Radio, a real nice guy who knew and loved his music. We always remembered him when Horizon Radio came up in the conversation.

Update: Gary passed away on the 21st of December 2016, this year we will remember him.

Paul we have sent you a private message.

Thank you for letting us know.

Absolutely shocked tonight.

Keep well

Why Did Horizon close down you where the top radio station of that time, so would it not have been better for the stations chances of getting legal if you had of stayed broadcasting.

Martin>>>>>>>gmail.com

Hi Martin thanks for your question. That is a question we have been asked many times and we have even asked ourselves it too. We closed to apply for a radio license is the answer. Was it the right thing to do? We will continue this with a page on the options open to us in a few weeks time but if the internet had have been around at this time, London would have got a soul radio station and probable Horizon with the listener-ship we had at that time. so please check back for the update on this.

HRL

Subject: Horizon Radio “Signal Strength”
From: Steve <_______________@hotmail.com>
Subject: Signal Strength

Question
Do you know the furthest place the signal reached in UK ? We were in the burbs Farmborough, Hants and could pick you guys up 🙂

Hi Steve thanks for the question.

We know it went north past Milton Keynes, we had regular listeners there. East you could hear it in Southend and also south in Brighton. Out west it was heard in Reading+.

On nights when the conditions skipped the frequency. Mike Richards of Big L Limerick Ireland heard it, that is how we got to know him. We also had DX reports from Norway, Holland, France and Germany.

We hope that answers you question.

Thanks for the email.

HRL

Welcome Back, It was lovely to see those Horizon Radio t/shirts again I bought my then little brother one all those years ago and he never took it off. Do you have any new ones, as they would make a great Christmas present? Well done on the website looks fantastic and at last we will get the story. Paula———@gmail.com

Hi Paula we have replied by email, sorry the Hat and there is only one which is 32 years old along with the T/shirts again just 3 and 32 years old are we think the only ones left. They where framed by Hitman records all those years ago as a memento, so have lasted the test of time. Sorry we have no plans to create any more, thanks for your email. Have a great Xmas.

What happened to Chris Stewart Where is he now?  (adam——-@outlook.com)

Thanks for the question Adam. He runs another type of business these days and is busy. But as he says to us when we ask “Half way between the gutter and the stars” We hope that helps.

Steve ———– @aol.com

Steve M we have passed your email on to Chris and as it’s a bit private, not featuring it here. The website is here just to remember those days and the people in the Horizon Radio Soul Family. There are no plans to bring Horizon Radio back even on the Internet. Lets remember the history and what the station did, after all memories are golden.

Thank you for your offer of equipment and the email, stay in touch.