Phase 42
From Freeradio
Phase 42 used to broadcast from Clowne, from June 1995 to February 1997.
Format was mostly dance, rap, R&B, soul, rave and hardcore music.
Frequency used started on approx 105.3 FM, and underwent several changes in frequency before ending up on about 106.2 FM. Stereo broadcasts started in 1996.
Broadcasts started on Saturday evenings, but very soon moved to Friday night broadcasts.
Programmes were Pre-recorded on tape, and were normally 45 minutes long.
History
Initially, from June 1995, Phase 42 FM was broadcast as part of Community Net - a short-lived Relay service in Clowne, which broadcast on Saturday evenings. At the time, there were 2 DJs on Phase 42 - Al Capone and D'n'D.
Shortly after the start of 1996, Community Net fizzled out and Phase 42 FM became the station which broadcast via its transmitter. It was also around that time that broadcasts moved to Friday evenings, rather than Saturday evenings as previously. In addition, Al Capone changed his name to DJ Dangerous at this time.
As time went on, the quality of the Antenna used improved - leading to an improvement in Phase 42's coverage area. By mid-1996, Phase 42's signal was reaching Worksop and Chesterfield.
In early summer 1996, Phase 42's studio moved from inside the operator's house to a shed on his yard. This was soon followed by a vast increase in the number of DJs heard on the station, and with it a diversification in the programmes. Happy hardcore, especially Vibealite mixes, became a significant part of Phase 42's music.
Broadcast hours extended slowly as time went on, although occasionally programmes were aired more than once. At its peak, Phase 42 broadcast from 8pm until after midnight on Fridays.
Sadly, Phase 42 closed down after the studio shed was burgled by a local drug user, in February 1997.
Technical
A 12 Watt Transmitter was used by Phase 42, with a Slim Jim Antenna.
A stereo encoder, supplied in kit form from Veronica Electronics and constructed by the operator, was used.
Two cassette decks and a mixer were used for the audio - one (auto-reverse) deck played the pre-recorded programmes, the other played an inter-programme promo which broadcast the station's phone number and/or mailing address.
