Pirate FM (Wellington)

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Pirate FM

City	Wellington, New Zealand
Frequency	98.9 and later 96.3
Branding	Pirate FM
Programming
Format	Music (Rock)
Ownership
Owner	Derek Archer
History
First air date	early 1990
Last air date	1999
Technical information
Class	Terrestrial

Pirate FM was a radio station in Wellington on 96.3 FM before it was replaced by The Rock in early 1999. The station was primarily operated by DJ Derek Archer.

History[]

Archer ran Crescendo studio in Wellington at 99 Kent Terrace above the "Car Stereo Company". In early 1990, he began Fun and Music 99FM at 98.9 MHz.

Archer ran the station with business partners and support from local business. The station aimed for minimal advertising on air.

The station was taken off the air in July 1990 due to the NZ radio frequency tender and lost its frequency to More FM Wellington. Archer continued to broadcast from this frequency becoming known as Pirate FM "Farc 'em All", where FARC referred to "False Acquisition of Radio Control". In April 1991, it ceased broadcasting. The 98.9 FM frequency was used to launch 99-100 More FM the following month.

In 1993 Pirate FM was restarted in the flat at Archer's place in Roseneath on 96.3 FM. One night, an arson attempt effectively destroyed the station.

In September 1998, Archer died from a heart attack at age 45, after collapsing at a furious debate between the candidates for the Wellington mayoralty election. Pirate FM died with him. The frequency was acquired that December by Radio Pacific/RadioWorks Group for $600,000 and used to launch The Rock FM in Wellington in February 1999.

External links[]

• In Memory of Pirate FM

Chis (Ryan) . ..did you edit this down from prior list which included most DJ's ?? B4 ABOUT 2000 ?? (1 OF HIS sons in Aussie wanted to know what his Dad was like..craig i think.. who edited this down taking down mine & other DJ's names ??? Correction: I was there in 2nd guise & format was everything but (c)rap incl folk,NZ big time , world ,you name it & more - turned FM Broadcasting on its head in true HI FI Stereo ! Straight off the ANOLOG desk & carts...we turned then FM Broadcasting format on its head. Who altered history here from when i last saw it in print here ?. Derek & silent backers (like Cafe LaFare etc ) The sale & transfere ex Mt Vic was not Legal ! (I want my $ & CDs back & they are named. It will be back - as the Blues Brothers quipped: we're putting the band back together. (& i know how to build a Station from the ground up - Like grandad @ radio frequency 2yB in 1922. You out there A hepworth or Mr Ryan ?. Listen to your buck'n'ears.