On 15th January 1973 the Independent Broadcasting Authority (IBA) started test transmissions in readiness for the introduction of local commercial radio in London later in the year.
One of the frequencies used for the test transmissions was 557kHz (538m), the same as used by Radio Veronica off the coast of Holland.
The effect of these test broadcasts, which were made from a temporary aerial strung between two chimneys at the London Transport power station at Lotts Road, Battersea, was to blot out reception of Radio Veronica in London and the south east.
Listeners who complained about the 'jamming' of the offshore station were told that the IBA was using a frequency allocated to Britain under international agreement and that Radio Veronica was broadcasting on the frequency without authorisation.
The IBA also pointed out that it had been allocated the frequency by the Post Office before Radio Veronica had changed from 192m in September 1972.
HOLD Noun - cavity in a ship below deck where cargo is stowed. Also the area used to house transmitters on many radio ships.
