News about free radio stations on shortwave and mediumwave, and free radio logs from Newfoundland, Canada.

Tuesday 29 October 2013

Logs, October 28 and QSLs from Sluwe Vos, CoolAM and Nachtpiraat

I took Monday off from work, did a few chores, and decided to check the radio a bit early.  Was I ever glad that I did!  Noise was incredibly low, and even low power signals were audible 2 hours before sunset.

It was not a busy night, but that was ok, since I got to spend more time listening to each station.  Cool had a marathon show, and I finally logged him clearly in AM mode.  It was a classic grayline reception.   He peaked right around sunset and stayed clear for about 20 minutes.  Although he did fade a couple of times after that, he kept bouncing back, and was quite clear after 2215 when he switched to usb.

Other stations were also quite clear.  I may not be apparent from the SINPO's listed (I judge signal strength purely on the meter reading), but the low noise meant all stations were doing very well.

6324,2 . . 1850 . Radio Zeewolf, ID, greetings, report to Underground (who had been barely audible), 24441, very good signal for this early time
6284,9 . . 1855 . Radio Altrex, very weak music and talk, heard a “moo” on a peak, positive ID via Iann’s chat, c/d 1900, 15441
6735,0 . . 1900 . CoolAM Radio, traces of music at this time, better at 2030 with dance music and IDs, 24442 (I have heard Cool many times in ssb, but this was my first decent reception in am mode), switched to usb at 2215 with blues, followed by a rock show
6290,0 . . 1905 . Odynn Radio, greetings, ID, America “Horse With No Name”, 25442
6375,1 . . 2134 . Radio Experience, “Popcorn”, “Rhinestone Cowboy”, c/d 2157, 24432
6284,8 . . 2230 . Radio Rainbow Int., dance, ID, greetings, website, lots of old tunes, “I Got You”, 24342

I have also received some nice QSLs lately.  This one from Sluwe Vos reminds me of my trip to Holland in 2010 (very pleasant memories).  Thanks Vos.


CoolAM had his usual super-quick response to my report from tonight. with a nice special collector's editon eQSL  Thanks Andre!


And, finally, Radio Nachtpiraat (Night Pirate)sent me this nice tube QSL.  Thanks Diederik!


Sunday 27 October 2013

Logs, Oct. 24-27

It was nice to have the opportunity to listen each of the past four nights.  Lots of stations, lots of good music, lots of good listening.  Thanks guys!

Regular readers may have noticed that there have been no mediumwave logs here these past few months.  I have been suffering from s9 noise on mw.  On Saturday, I completely replaced my coax leads and connections, and pounded my ground rods a little deeper to try to remove any accumulated film from the outside.  It cut my noise on 48 m in half (it is now way below s1) and helped dramatically on 76 m (noise dropped from s4 to s1).  But the noise on mediumwave is still s9!!!  I will try to get this figured out in the next weeks.

Oct. 24
6284,8 . . 2054 . Radio Goudenster, Scorpions “Winds of Change”, polka, "Rock Around the Clock", 25442
6289,9 . . 2136 . Ronex Radio, ID, email, instrumental music, greetings, 24442

Oct. 25 
6304,7 . . 2003 . Radio Marabu, ID, pop, 34442, still on 0010 with “Hard Rock Café”
6284,9 . . 2022 . Focus Int., ID, Ram Jam “Black Betty”, 35443
6264,0L . 2057 . Over 60 Degree Radio, weak talk and music, ID via Iann’s chat

Oct. 26
11401,0 . 1956 . Radio Waves Int., (presumed), weak oldies, 13441, ute QRM
10451,0L.2006 . Over 60 Degree Radio, weak music and talk, ID via Iann’s chat, 15441
6453,2 . . 2011 . Lowland Radio, greetings, ID, country, low power test, 35442, better at 2208 with “Hotel California”, greetings, 35443
7610,0L . 2022 . Over 60 Degree Radio, ”I Only Want to Be With You”, jingle ID, 25442
6205,4 . . 2044 . Radio Tango Italia, talk in Italian, tango music, 25442
7620,0 . . 2053 . Sluwe Vos Radio, techno music, greets to Squonky, ID, 24443
6291,0 . . 2059 . Odynn Radio, Hendrix “Freedom”, Dion “The Wanderer”, 34443, c/d 0004 after Dutch National Anthem
5840.0L . 2107 . Over 60 Degree Radio, oldie, “Lean on Me”, 25442
3905,0 . . 2117 . Radio Alice, instrumental polka, several IDs, 35443
5780,0 . . 2122 . Sluwe Vos Radio, pop, ID, 25441
6284,8 . . 2134 . Focus Int., Kinks “You Really Got Me’, ID, Herman’s Hermits “I’m Into Something Good”, 45443
6435,0 . . 2143 . Radio Experience, Abba “Fly Like an Eagle”, ID, 24442
6325,0 . . 2219 . Radio Etherfreak, very weak music, caught ID on brief fade-up, 24441
6375,9 . . 2227 . NMD Radio, 70’s psychedelic instrumental, “Baby Come Back”, “Barracuda”, ID, email, c/d 2338, 33442
6210,0 . . 2330 . Radio Black Arrow, oldie, ID, greetings, hard rock, c/d 2339, 34442
6210,0u . 2341 . Radio Underground, oldie, report to BA with lots of echo, ID, 24442
6304,8 . . 2356 . Radio Marabu, ID, “Tainted Love”, 34443

Oct. 27
6203,0 . . 0030 . Mustang Radio, “Along Came Jones”, “Rosanna”, ID, greetings, 45443
6735,0L . 0044 . Cool AM Radio, rock music, ID, Stones “Heartbreaker”, 25441
6795,8 . . 1800 . Pink Panther Radio, ID, email, country, Al Stewart “On the Border”, 25441, still going at 2128 with Fleetwood Mac “Don’t Stop”, 35442
6985,0 . . 1815 . UNID, country music, no ID heard, 24441
6270,0 . . 1906 . Radio Merlin Int., “Hotel California”,  ID, largely covered by wide splatter from legal station on 6260, 22441
6304,8 . . 1925 . Radio Marabu, ID, dance/funk, 34443
6324,9 . . 1950 . Radio Nachtpiraat, greetings, ID, said short test, Dutch music, instrumental polka, 24442
6284,8 . . 2005 . Focus Int., Doobies “Long Train Running” (live), ID35443
6279,9 . . 2056 . Ronex Radio, greetings, ID, music, c/d 2102, 24442
6280,0 . . 2102 . Radio Nachtpiraat, mellow music, ID, report to Ronex, greetings, 24442, followed by QSO
6265,0 . . 2254 . Radio Experience, ID, freq., “Nothing But a Heartache”, “Baker Street”, 25342

Wednesday 23 October 2013

Logs, Oct. 19-20 (and how I rediscovered the magic of pirate radio)

A strange thing happened to me on Saturday night.  After 4+ years of listening, I suddenly rediscovered the magic of europirate radio, and fell in love with it all over again.

Let me explain.

This was a horribly crappy weekend for me.  One of our cats died in our arms on Friday night.  Now, some people may say "It was just a cat", and I understand that.  But he was part of our family, and one of the kindest, gentlest cats I have ever known.  Plus, we have already buried 3 parents and our dog in the past few months, so it hit me pretty hard.

Of course, on Saturday I had to make a hole to bury my cat, but the soil in our backyard has never been disturbed by man, and is hard as concrete.  The only thing that works is a 2 m long, 20 kg iron bar with a pointed tip, which chips out tiny bits the size of your fingernail.  It took 6 hours.

By the time Saturday evening came, I was feeling about as depressed, tired and sore as I have ever felt in my life, but I decided to listen for a bit.  And a funny thing happened.  Just listening to all the stations gradually took my mind off everything.  By the time I heard Readymix play "Run to the Hills", I was totally lost in the radio.  And to top it off, my old friend Borderhunter came on the air at the perfect time and brought several smiles to my face.

What makes europirate radio so special?  It is the operators.  Their enthusiasm and love of what they do is absolutely contagious, and listening always makes you feel better.  They are unique, they are true masters of the art, and I salute them.  Thank you. one and all.

Oct. 19
6290,0 . . 1917 . Radio Black Arrow, Stones “Miss You”, Led Zep “Kashmir”, Supertramp “School”, ID, 24442
6795,8 . . 1929 . Pink Panther Radio, “Cover of the Rolling Stone”, jingle ID, 24442, up to 34443 by 2106 with greetings, ID; closing announcements, ID, email, 2210
6325,8 . . 2003 . Tower Radio, 80’s pop, ID, 33442, ute QRM, still 34442 at 2147 with greetings, ID, “Fox on the Run”, c/d 2158
6910,0 . . 2011 . Premier Radio Int., jazz. “It’s Raining Men”, “Locomotion”, ID, 25442, c/d 2104
6746,9 . . 2025 . Pioneer AM Radio, slow Dutch music, ID, 24442,
6423,0 . . 2042 . Studio 52, weak music and talk, had to use lsb mode because of massive ute on 6425, ID via Iann;s chat, 22441
6267,5L . 2052 . Over 60 Degree Radio, weak music, just above the noise, 15441, moved to 6260.0L at 2126, “Blanket on the Ground” at 2205,
6205,4 . . 2111 . Radio Tango Italia, slow music, show tunes?, ID, 25342
6324,8 . . 2217 . Radio Norton, instrumental polka, IDs, greetings, 23442, ute and ssb QRM
6306,0 . . 2300 . Radio Universe, ID, Kiss “I Was Made For Loving You”, 25342
6450,2 . . 2305 . Radio Readymix, greetings, Iron Maiden “Run to the Hills”, ID, AC?DC “Whole Lotta Rosie”, 25342
6260,0 . . 2340 . Borderhunter Radio, ID, greetings, “Fight For Yur Right to Party”, lots of diverse music, 45444, c/d 0113

Oct. 20
6795,8 . . 1940 . Pink Panther Radio, John Denver “Leaving On a Jet Plane”, ID, c/d 2024, 32441, bad noise
6235,0 . . 2039 . Sluwe Vos Radio, techno, Mike Oldfield “Tubular Bells”,
6910,0 . . 2052 . Premier Radio Int., greetings, ID, Supertramp “Logical Song”, 25342

Monday 14 October 2013

Logs, Oct. 11-13 and QSL from RMGP

First, some good news.  I am 99.9% certain in will be back in Europe next summer, including a trip to Summermeeting.  I look forward to meeting many of my old friends (and hopefully some new ones).

I must apologize for my almost complete lack of direct reporting to stations this past while.  I have not had as much free time as I hoped, so I have focused on listening as much as I can.  I have enjoyed the shows tremendously, however.

Oct. 11
6305,0 . . 1919 . Radio Paardenkracht (tent.)  Stones “Satisfaction”, good signal but c/d before I caught ID
6747,0 . . 1927 . Pioneer AM Radio, instrumental, Dutch and English pop, 25441, up to 34442 at 2220 with Roy Orbison “Crying Over You”
6310,0 . . 1950 . Radio Telstar South, weak music under ute, ID via Iann’s chat, 23441
6240,0 . . 2002 . Mustang Radio, “Mrs. Robinson”, ID, “Land Down Under”, low audio at first, 35442
6290,0 . . 2012 . Odynn Radio, ID, email, said would c/d, greetings, Dutch anthem, c/d 2020, 25441
6735,0u . 2030 . Cool AM Radio, weak dance music at noise level, peaked with jingle IDs at 2055 (local sunset), The Who “Substitute”, Beatles “We Can Work It Out”, 25441

Oct. 12
6255,0 . . 1953 . Radio Technical Man, Dutch music, REM “Shiny Happy People”, 35443, long show until past 2330
6310,0 . . 2009 . Radio Telstar South, country, instrumental, talk about Radio Caroline, 25442
9910,0L . 2015 . Baltic Sea Radio, instrumental, polka, ID, 23442, splatter from 9915
6293,0 . . 2023 . Radio Black Arrow, U2 “With or Without You”, ID, greetings, “Radar Love”, c/d , 24442
6795,8 . . 2032 . Pink Panther Radio, pop, 22441, bad ute QRM
6285,0 . . 2040 . Dokkum DX Radio, weak music and talk, peaked at local sunset but still just a bit too weak for details, ID, via Iann’s chat, 15441
6324,8 . . 2050 . Radio Norton, oldie, Dutch song, ID, greetings, 25442
6240,0 . . 2125 . Crazy Wave Radio, very weak music and talk, cw ID popped through, 14441
6419,1 . . 2213 . Radio Zomerzon, Bowie “Major Tom”, 24441, moved to 6405 at 2218 which had more ute QRM
6930,0 . . 2235 . Trans Europe Radio, pop, ID, greetings, email, Blondie “Heart of Glass”, 23441, ute QRM
6205,0 . . 2325 . Borderhunter Radio, ID, Scorpions “Rock You Like a Hurricane”, time checks, email, country, Deep Purple “Child in Time”,  c/d 0040, 35443
6735,0u . 2340 . Cool AM Radio, jingle ID, very weak music, 15441
6744,5 . . 2245 . Radio Zomerzon, Fleetwood Mac “Go Yur Own Way”, U2 “Sunday, Bloody Sunday”, “New Years Day”, ID and talk with echo, 35443, moved to 6745,0 at 0032, c/d 0038

Oct. 13
6240,0 . . 1918 . Sluwe Vos Radio, Metallica “Nothing Else Matters”, ID, dance, promo for CoolTV, 25442
6909,9 . . 1945 . Premier Radio, playing old Caroline show, The Chuffons “He’s So Fine”, and a show from old Radio Dublin,  followed by own show, 35443
6310,0 . . 2005 . Radio Telstar South, country song, ID, oldies, 34442
6282,8 . . 2015 . Radio Mazda, Toto “Hold the Line”, greetings, had to use lsb mode to eliminate ute just above, 33441

I did receive one QSL recently for one of the few reports I have managed to send.  Radio Mistero Ghost Planet sent me this very nice, very detailed card.  Thanks to the cute op. 




Sunday 6 October 2013

Logs, Sept. 27 - Oct. 5

Sept 27
6284,8 . . 1919 . Focus Int., weak at first, up to 35442 by 2105 with Fleetwood Mac “Dreams”, “Rhiannon”, ‘Go Your Own Way”,  ID,
6240,0 . . 1939 . Mustang Radio (with Tidalwave), Bon Jovi “Always”, Boston “Amanda”, ID, variable audio levels, 35442
6400,0u . 2030 . Radio  Python, greetings, ID, testing new antenna, 24442
3905,0 . . 2115 . Skyline Int. Radio, Kenny Rogers “The Gambler”, ID, greetings, high noise on 76 m, variable ham QRM, 25442- 23441,
6900.0L . 2203 . Baltic Sea Radio, “Bird Dance”, ID, 25442
6290,0 . . 2217 . Radio Experience,  weak rock music, ID via Iann’s chat, 24441
6210,4 . . 2259 . Radio Tango Italia, old show tunes, 25442

Sept. 28
15065.0 . 1821 . Bluestar Radio, “Black is Black”, ID, greetings to Olddxer, 45443
6249,8 . . 2012 . Groente Boertje, Dutch music, greetings, ID, 35442
6290,9 . . 2018 . Odynn Radio, Metallica “Nothing Else Matters”, Stones “Painted Black”, greetings, ID, 25442
6508,0u . 2034 . Radio Python, electronic music, jazz, ID via Iann’s chat, 25442
6749,4 . . 2039 . Pink Panther Radio, Simple Minds “Don’t You Forget About Me”, ID, greetings, 35342
6324,9 . . 2054 . Radio Norton, “Moonlight Shadow”, more slow tunes, ID via Iann’s chat, 25342
6284,8 . . 2102 . Focus Int., pop, ID, email, SMS number, snailmail, 35443
6305,0 . . 2110 . Unicum Radio, few seconds of music, c/d, back with carrier in a minute, pop music at very low volume at 2114, Van Halen “You Really Got Me” mixed with another song, “Driver’s Seat”, ID, email, 35442
3904,9 . . 2139 . Radio Alice, country music, ID, instrumental, c/d 2320, 25442
6290,0 . . 2149 . Ronex Radio, pop, ID, email, “Knock on Wood”, c/d 2148,  25442
6210,4 . . 2153 . Radio Tango Italia, classical music, tango, moved to 6207 before ID at 0029, anthem, c/d 0033, 24441
6303.0u . 2335 . Radio Mistero Ghost Planet, Mike Oldfield “Tubular Bells”, announcement a little too weak to copy, “Tubular Bells” repeated between songs, Canned Heat “On the Road Again”, greetings to DimBulb, 25441
6209,0 . . 0106 . Radio Experience, “Jolene”, ID via Iann’s chat, moved to 6205 at 0117, 15341

Oct. 3
6210,0 . . 2017. Radio Mexico, ID, greetings, country and latin music, announced would c/d, which he did 2025, 35442

Oct. 4
6747,0 . . 2003 . Radio Pioneer, polkas, clear at first but covered by noise by 2030, ID via Iann’s chat, 25342
6290,0 . . 2010 . Mustang Radio, hip hop, oldie, ID, greetings, 45343
6238,0 . . 2031 . Sluwe Vos Radio,  ID, greetings, AC/DC “Highway to Hell”, techno, 24342
3905,0 . . 2101 . Skyline Int. Radio, ID, greetings, Dutch music, “All Right Now”, very tough copy under loud noise 3900-3910 kHz, 34321

Oct. 5
6319,7 . . 2020 . UNID, weak music, a few words and c/d, 14341
6300,0 . . 2021 . Radio Tower, slow music, ID, 23441, ute QRM
6747,0 . . 2030 . Pioneer Am Radio, lots of Dutch music, polkas, ID, 25442
6795,8 . . 2035 . Pink Panther Radio, Dutch pop, ID, greetings, 25442
6436,1 . . 2039 . Radio Black Arrow, short test with a new antenna, ID, greetings, 35442
6290,0 . . 2135 . Mustang Radio, “Caroline”, “I Can’t Get No Satisfaction”, “Painted Black”, greetings, ID, 35443
6240,0 . . 2240 . Radio Frieloo, duet, ID, greetings, country, 33442, ute QRM
3904,0 . . 2307 . Radio Alice, ID, Dutch song, high noise and ham QRM, 24342
6324,9 . . 2321 . NMD Radio, ZZ Top “Sharp Dressed Man”, ID, greetings, email, moved to 6290 at 2327, 25442
6298,0U . 0013 . Radio Mistero Ghost Planet, Doors “Light My Fire”, tent. ID, “Tubular Bells”, 23441, ute QRM, moved to 6280,0u at 0027, ID, c/d 0036, 25442