WHEN it comes down to the best thing about his career in radio, Mike "Locco" O'Loughlin reckons it's got to be the people.

The popular 4CA breakfast radio announcer will hang up the headphones next month , when he retires after 40 years on the airwaves.

"People I've interviewed, from your Mick Jaggers to authors of books like Jeffery Deaver and Lee Child ... it's just been great," Mr O'Loughlin said.

"There's been some really, really good times," he said.

But it is the strength and passion of the Cairns community that Mr O'Loughlin will miss the most, as he harks back to some of the more memorable moments during his time in radio with former 4CA FM presenter Juanita Kelly.

"There was a lady, who after one of the many storms we had up here, lost her house and then had to go somewhere else and lost her partner ... it was one of the most touching stories," he said.

"We were able to do a campaign on the air to get her a house again. For me, it was a beautiful, touching moment and a very teary moment."

Mr O'Loughlin has had a decorated broadcasting career, after originally starting out as a "cartridge operator" in Adelaide back in 1972.

His third and final stint in Cairns is ending after 12 years.

The Bayview Heights man will soon head south, as he gets set for a career change managing a farm in Victoria's Goulburn Valley.

Mr O'Loughlin's last day on the air will be December 21.

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