“TITAN FAVORITES”
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Music in the Dutch language

In the autumn of 1980 I was testing almost every night till the small hours. The name of the radio station would be “Titan Radio Illegal.” On Boxing Day 1980, the first program was a 2 hour-long Christmas show. Very soon requests were coming in from different people who had found the new pirate station, which made the first program a big success.

Continuity and the right Dutch music would measure up for more fame. Until December 1982, every Saturday morning from 10 till 12 the program “Titan Favorites” was to be heard. At this time the program got more and more requests to play. “Titan Radio Illegal” known to the people as “T.R.I.-radio” had no reason to complain. Then a lot of listeners asked to change the program from Saturday morning to Saturday night which I did immediately. From 8 to 11 p.m. “Titan Radio” could be heard through the Illegal airwaves.

The popularity grew with age. The program was extended from 8 till 12 p.m. Listeners where requesting mostly Dutch music, but music in the German language also became popular. In between time the transmitting apparatus was being upgraded. At this time, a few pirate radio stations approached "Titan Radio” to form a fusion to find success in the region. “Titan Radio” refused this and carried on with its small send capacity. “Titan Radio” had found success with Dutch music because of its order, quality, and continuity.

When the radio station existed for 5 years, a life show was organized in the Dutch language. Long before the show, all the tickets were sold out. In an overflowing concert room the listeners were introduced to “Titan Radio” and vice versa. The evening was a 100% success again. This was repeated many times in the years after which made the popularity of “Titan Radio” immense.

With the growth in popularity the decision was made to extend the broadcasting times. First came Sunday Night, and later Monday, Tuesday and Thursday Night. A joint venture was realized with Radio “The Flying Dutchman”, Radio “Aurora” and Radio “Atlantico.” The slots fit in perfect with each other.

A lot of pirate stations in and around Schagen were taken out of the air by the Justice of the Peace. This included Radio “Atlantico”, “Aurora” and “The Flying Dutchman”. “Titan Radio” was not effected and celebrated its birthday every Boxing Day with a twelve hour illegal broadcasting which included a quick call quiz and requests. Every year prizes worth 1000 guilders (USA $500) were given away after each broadcasting. This was seen as a small investment to see who and where the listeners were. Around 400 telephone calls were received. The results were encouraging. “Titan Radio” knew what the listeners wanted.

The introduction of cable television gave “Titan Radio” a lot of competition.

In the end, the decision was made to concentrate on Saturday and Sunday evening broadcasting. The name was changed again to “Titan-Weekend-Radio-Schagen.” This would stay the same until August 1992, which was the beginning of a Local Radio station in Schagen. “Titan Radio” was approached and asked to do a program called “Titan Favorites.” And…”Titan Radio” joined Radio “Schagen-FM!”. At this time, the illegal station “Titan-Weekend-Radio-Schagen” was continuously broadcasting for 12 years. At twelve o’clock on Sunday evening, August 23, 1992, Gerlof Elzinga willingly closed down “Titan-Weekend-Radio-Schagen.” During the last 12 hours of broadcasting, the popular quick call quiz was once more to be enjoyed, and the faithful listeners would receive 1000 guilders (USA $500) worth of flower arrangements. This was a symbolic gesture from “Titan-Weekend-Radio-Schagen” for the twelve long years of ups and downs and the support of faithful listeners. Saturday the 29th of August the program “Titan Favorites” could be heard on the local radio station “Schagen-FM.”