Kool FM is a London pirate radio station, started on 28 November 1991[1][2].
Kool FM has stated that it has been "the very first pirate station ever to play Hardcore Jungle".[1] Simon Reynolds called it "London's ruling pirate station" in an account of the beginnings of jungle music in the early to mid 1990s.[3] Similarly, Billboard magazine referred to Kool FM as "leading jungle station" in a 1995 report about the genre.[2]
In January 1996, Kool FM Midlands started broadcasting to the Midlands on 105.6 FM, based in Birmingham; by then dedicated to drum'n'bass.[1]
In the same year, Kool FM featured in a BBC documentary about pirate radio.[4].
In 1998, U.S. magazine Vibe compared it favorably to Kiss FM (a former London pirate radio station which had become legal): "Meanwhile, U.K. pirates like Kool FM and Hard FM continue to broadcast even better music without interference from authorities."[5]
In March 2001 Kool Fm Midlands changed frequency from 105.6 Fm to 92.4 Fm to make way for the launch of saga 105.7 in the summer.
A 2002 article in the Evening Standard reported that Kool FM was making profits from advertising and organizing raves.[6]
In Early 2002 Kool Fm Midlands sufferd a studio raid from the dti that year, But was back up and running within 11 days. The last weekend of may Kool Fm Midlands 92.4 Broadcasted for the final time probably due to their up and coming court case.
In 2005, a Kool FM transmitter broadcasting from Wapping (in the London Borough of Tower Hamlets) was seized in an Ofcom operation against London pirate stations.[7]
In 2007, Kool FM was featured on a BBC London News report about pirate radio station interference to the 'emergency services' and their use of the airwaves. Ofcom never have supplied recorded proof that this is happening only claims. [8].
Kool FM was still operating illegally in February 2008, broadcasting on 94.6 FM from Tower Hamlets, when three of its phone lines were disconnected during a series of raids led by Ofcom.[9][10]
As of August 2010, Kool FM is operating as an internet radio station, providing a live video and audio stream of radio shows on its relaunched website [11]. The site appears to be under active development with new features being implemented. Kool FM have also launched the Kool Archives, a Mediafire account that is regularly updated with recordings of the live shows and has recordings that span from 1992 to the present day.[12] It is unknown whether it will continue to operate on air or exist solely as an internet radio station.