Triode Valve taken from Ross Revenge in Dutch Raid

Aim

This prize draw is running to raise money for urgent structural repairs to our radio ship 'Ross Revenge' in dry dock to secure her future

The Prize

Our prize draw is for an original Triode Valve 833, which was one of the items taken from our radio ship ‘Ross Revenge’ during a raid by the Dutch authorities in August 1989. When the items were returned some years later the 50kW Ampliphase broadcast transmitter and this RCA BTA 10 valve which transmitted Radio Caroline on 558 were then rebuilt

During the August raid, Dutch officials stripped all the components from the three transmitters onboard ‘Ross Revenge’ and took these to Holland, along with many other items. 

The transmitter was briefly returned to use during a short-term broadcast off Clacton-on-Sea, Essex in the early 90s - increasing the 1W of power permitted to 2000W, in the hope that the broadcast would end before anyone had time to react

The valve is mounted on a solid wooden plinth which measures approx 13 1/2” w x 2” h  x 6” deep. The complete unit is approx 11” high. It has an engrave plaque to the front with the wording ‘Triode valve from the R/C/A 10kW transmitter which sent Radio Caroline’s 558 kHz signal from Ross Revenge in the 1980s’.

The Cause

‘Ross Revenge' is in urgent need of dry docking, where surveys and urgent structural repairs can be carried out. Our prize draws supplement our fundraising appeal to achieve our goal of securing the future of our historic ship for generations to come. The former pirate radio ship 'Ross Revenge' is still regularly broadcasting at sea today and more than 1,200 visitors tour the ship each year. The vessel is an important part of both deep sea fishing and broadcasting history. To lose her would be a tragedy.

This project successfully funded on 1st June 2024