RNI with Robin Banks 1

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Radio Northsea International

Engineer/DJ Robin Banks recalling his time in the 1970's working on board the Mebo 2

The RNI ship was built by De Groot & Vliet in 1948 at Slikkerveer in Holland, first named the Silvretta the 186 foot 630 ton ship was converted by the same Dutch yard to became the radio ship Mebo 2

Mebo 2 Starboard sky shot

Mooring off the Dutch coast the garishly colourful Mebo 2 came on air as RNI with a German on short wave in January 1970

Followed by English on medium wave & later programmes were heard in Dutch

Funnel side view with Robin Banks

By the funnel on the ships port side, listen here to the Robin Banks Programme

from 29th March 1974

Interior ship walkway

Night shot of the Mebo 2 galley with Rudi Kagon & Gerrit de Winter

Brian MacKenzie taking tea in the mess room before his programme

Bob Nokes compares used & new transmitter tubes

Crew member sailor Rein at the ships main engine

Don Allen's cabit door with Brian MacKenzie

Brian MacKenzie on the walkway by "Daffy" Don Allen's den of iniquity. Every space including the outside cabin door & walls were adorned with his collection of glamour pictures

Early days, Captain on his bridge as news goes out before the news studio had been built

Gerrit de Winter listens to the panel output

Brian MacKenzie makes his first link, you'll hear Brian in Part 2 of this feature

RNI with Robin Banks Pt2 coming soon

Transmitter hall Robin Banks in background

Robin Banks in the transmitter hall

On board the Mebo 2 there were 5 transmitters, a main 105kW transmitter for Medium Wave: RCA BTH 100B serial 002. A 10.5kW standby Medium Wave: RCA BTA 10J formerly used by Radio 390. A 10.5kW for 31 metre band Short Wave: RCA BHF 10B. A 10.5kW standby Short Wave: Brown & Boveri Corporation used for 49 metre band. A 1.2kW Rhode & Schwarz 100mHz FM

Bob Nokes at 49 metre band SW transmitter

Bob Nokes setting up the RCA BHF 10B the 10.5kw 6210mhz 49m short wave band transmitter

49 metre sw transmiter close up with Bob Nokes

Bob Nokes completes his final adjustments to the RCA BHF 10B with a screwdriver that's just a tad too big for a trim pot

Rudi Kagon with Roger Kent & Peiter

Same cigarette surely not the same link

"Daffy" Don Allen leaves his cabin cuddling toy bear "Louise"

Louise worked at Manx Radio on the Isle of Man & it was Don that talked her into recording links for the overnight Skyline Programme

Rudi Kagon in the wash room

"Daffy" Don prepares for his Country & Western Jamboree

Bruno Brandenburger lowers a temperamental tape machine to a watery grave with Bob Nokes looking on

"Daffy" Don Allen in the hot seat

Will the cook the Captain, Bobby Schmitz, Rudi Kagon & all but hidden John de Mol, Roger Kent & Brian MacKenzie

Navy ship passes astern

Robin Banks with Roger Kent on the port side stern, note the bicycle on deck above

Bobby Schmitz doing a spot of fishing over the stern

Robin's in his cabin self named "Banks' Bungalow"

Like the brightly painted ship, the station was to have a colourful time RNI was jammed, became embroiled in politics, had writs issued against her, was fire bombed & even accused of being a spy ship

JUST LOGGED ON TO YOUR SITE. VERY NICE TO SEE THAT YOU ARE KEEPING THE GREAT STORIES ALIVE. AS YOU MAY KNOW I WAS ONE OF THE DIRECTORS, PD & DJs ON RNI & CAROLINE. LARRY TREMAINE

See more of Radio Northsea International in the 1970's in RNI with Robin Banks Pt2

There's more of the RNI ships the Mebo's in Libya

Plus Radio Northsea International in RNI 1999 & RNI 2001

The RNI Documentary CD Mebo Memories is available from the Offshore Shop along with other Offshore Radio related items

[HOME] (c)Bob Le-Roi 2003