Categories: HistoryQZVX

Radio 77 plays to an audience of one

A DJ whose shed-based radio station has only ever been heard by his wife is expanding his audience after 50 years. Deke Duncan, now 79, started playing pop records from his back garden in Stevenage in 1974. But with no licence, the station could only be beamed through a speaker in his living room to wife Teresa. Mr Duncan was offered a one-hour special on BBC local radio (2018) – and could finally realise his “ultimate ambition” to broadcast to the rest of Stevenage.

He said his interest in radio was sparked by pirate station Radio Caroline, which broadcast off the coast of Essex in the 1960s. He set up Radio 77 – named after a job-lot of second hand jingles bought from an American station of the same name.

Mr Duncan presented non-stop weekend slots on the station with friends Richard St John and Clive Christie. He made regular references on air to the fact he was broadcasting from – and to – 57 Gonville Crescent. (BBC)

Since the introduction of the Internet, Duncan can now be heard worldwide on LakeShore 64.

Jason Remington

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October 13, 2024 at QZVX

Lou Robbins says:

I’ve been listening to the online station, WLHA all day. Excellent Oldies, 50s-80s and Classic Rock. Specialty programs, jingles and personality jocks. This one is radio as it was and should be. I’ve gone so far as to download the app for this station on my phone, station logo and song title & artist display on the screen in my car, similar to the screen pictured here. This one is a keeper!

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