questfm

The London Pirates

Quest FM (89.9 FM, 90 FM, 92.7 FM, 105.5 FM) 1986? – 1988?

2E Lauriston Road

The Ridgeway

London SW19

Coverage: South/SW London/ Central London

DJs: Dave Martin, Gary M

Soul station Quest FM probably began transmitting in late 1986, and is known from at least January 1987. Based in southwest London, its broadcasts alternated between live and taped shows and went out 24 hours a day, seven days a week. Quest were raided in January and February 1987 and later in July and August of that year, which resulted them being off the air until October ’87. DJ Gary M was struck by lightning while attempting to stabilise the station’s transmitter, which underlined the dangers of illegal broadcasting. He was lucky to survive.

Details of DJs and shows are few, but from at least late January ’87 Dave Martin had a Monday and Tuesday night show on which he played Rare Groove, breaks and perhaps some Hip Hop.