Thanks Freddie and Mark.
The Revox A77 type tape recorders, introduced in 1967, were of reasonably high quality for the time, suitable for a hi-fi set up, but they were unbalance in-out, that being my criticism for use in a broadcast environment. From 1971 they were in use up to 12 hours a days playing back the shore-recorded programmes.
The balanced Revox PR99 didn't arrive until 1980, so the choice should have been Studer (same company), or one of the US makes found on the 60s offshore stations.
The Tandberg NAB cart machine was Series 13 in two versions, record-replay and replay only.
When I was there some, especially Graham Gill, used a Revox to produce reverb/echo by recording output and bringing up the playback fader.
That's interesting about the tape decks, I was always impressed with the quality of Revox and Tandberg hardware, I used them for work in the mid 70's, they were the A77 rack mount, a nice bit of kit anyway. I think the Tandbergs we had were Series 14, they were definitely more domestic use.
However… At the time the Mebo II was the first major offshore project to launch with second-hand transmitters (setting a dubious trend). No doubt the previous owners were glad to see them go, as was the estate of Radio 390 when that transmitter was later transferred to the RNI collection.
Also the studio equipment in 1970 included domestic versions of Revox tape recorders, with un-balanced ins and outs, and Tandberg 3¾ ips foil-stop NAB cart machines (ditto). I bought one for a home production studio in 1968 and then two more for the student film group. They were fine for that but not for a robust broadcasting environment.
But you are right, the Mebo II was paradise compared to some of the others and the highly professional crewmembers were also good company. BTW Bruno Branberger is still alive and living in Serbia.
As far as planned achievements are concerned the Mebo 2 conversion to a radio ship, the most professionally installed with MF, 2x HF and VHF broadcast transmitters and excellent studio. Also one of the few ships that was seaworthy.
Surely this has to be the REM "island", the platform and tower?
The last four issues of Offshore Echos, 210 to 213, has been covering this achievement.
And not least the erection of all the towers on the Ross after the big mast came down.
1st the temp stuff, then the heavier sections taken to the ship as described in Butterfly, and put up at sea. The double masts.
They stood till they were taken down so many years later in port......
And signals were still being broadcast as most of the work was taking place......