Thursday, January 11, 2018

The class of 2017

Rewind to this time last year as we began 2017. I reported here that during the previous 12 months I had heard 167 Dutch MW pirate stations at our location in England, a figure that included a few operating with second names and the odd one from over the border in Germany. 

At the end of January 2017 I wrote how during that single month I had monitored broadcasts from 101 pirates - 98 individual operators - and speculated that perhaps by the end of 2017 I might have hit a double-century.

I might not have reached 200 Dutch MW pirates, but an examination of my logs for the year reveals 172 names on the list, just topping the total for the previous year and not far away from the 185 stations I heard during 2015.

Given the upsurge in activity from the Dutch authorities and their campaign to silence illegal broadcasters on AM, this figure is very impressive and suggests the scene is still thriving.

Sure, we don't have anywhere near the amount of stations broadcasting what we used to call 'international music programmes' - a mix of music from across the ages with announcements in English aimed at an audience overseas; there are plenty of stations concentrating solely on what has often been labelled 'agricultural music'; there are some stations who broadcast only to test equipment that have made for other pirates, and there are some who use the band just for qsoing. However, there is no denying that interest certainly remains at a decent level in the Netherlands for switching on an illicit transmitter every now and again and having a chat with another operator or playing some music.

How many people are actually listening to these broadcasts is an interesting subject. I was talking recently to Radio Barones about this. He is of the opinion that it's a small list of listeners, most of whom can be found lurking in the well-used pirate chatroom

I like to think, however, that there is a band of people out there who remain hidden, subterranean and never revealing their identity, but tuning in to these pirate broadcasts in the very true sense of the word 'pirate'. In fact, I know somebody who fits into this category. His favourite station is actually Radio Barones and he's been listening for many years, often making recordings, but never contacting the station and making himself known. I hope there are many other people like this and I have a hunch there are. 

And so to the list of pirates I heard in England during 2017. Have a browse and see how many you recognise . . .

Adje Van Der Steur
Admiraal
Akenzo
Alabama
Alaska
Alice
Alpenjager (Groningen)
Anton
Arizona
Armada


Atlantic
Atletico
Bandoeng
Barcelona
Barones
Batavia
Batavier
Bizon
Blackstone
Blauwe Daihatsu
Blauwe Koe
Blauwe Panda
Blauwe Piraat
Bluebird
Bootsman
Brandaris
Brugwachter
Capri
Carona
Casablanca (Emmen)
Casablanca (Twente)
Centurion
Charlie Brown
Columbia
Curacau
Dageraad
Daniel en Soto
De Kat
Derdeman
Desperado


Digitaal
Dikke Betta
Dinkelland
Dolfijn
Drukstroomjager
Edelkampioen
Eldorado


Electron
Eskimo
Friese Piraat
Golfbreker
Havanna
Horizon
Ijsselstein
Interpol
Jack Sparrow
JB
Jeneverstoker
Johan
Jonge Boer
Johnny Camaro
Kaaiman
Kachel Boer
Kamelen Boer
Keizer en Keizerin


Kooiplas
Kristal
Kruik
Loreley
Lotus
Malibu
Marianne
Marskramer
Melkbus
Meteoor
Mi Amigo
Mike
Moby Dick
Monaco
Monte Carlo
Monza
Moonbreaker
Morgen Ster
Moscou
Musky
Nachtzwerver
Napoleon
Noorderzon
Noordzee
Odynn


Oldtimer
Oliebollen Bakkers
Omega
Orion
Osaka
OSM
Paradiso
Pecon
Pereboom
Pioneer
Polidor
Polkaman
Pontiac
Professor Sickbok
Quintus
Rebecca
Rebel (Drenthe)
Rebel (Friesland)
Reintje de Vos
Relmus
Rode Rover
Rodester
Romax
Ros Am
Ruimzicht
Ruisbreker
Sallandseboer
Sapporo
Santana
Schaduwjager
Schorpioen
Scotland
Silvia
Skywire
Snowman
Spakenburg
Spanningzoeker
Speedygonzales en Mexicano
Skywire
Sterrekijker
Sterrenboog
Technical Man
Telefunken
Torpedojager (North-west Overijjsel)
Torpedojager (Twente)
Toulouse
Transparant
Turfsteker
Turftrekker
Twentana
Uitzendkracht


Uniek
Uruguay
Utopia
Veldwachter
Verona
Veronica
Viking en Tante Foek
Voice Of The Netherlands
Vonkenboer
Vriendschap
Vrij Drenthe
Vrijevogel
Vrolijke Mijnwerker
Wadloper
Waterman
Weduwe
Wegpiraat
Wilskracht
Witte Raaf
Witte Tornado


Yogi Bear en Einstein
Zeewolf
Zonnester
Zwarte Arabier
Zwarte Bizon
Zwarte BMW
Zwarte Boer
Zwarte Bouvier
Zwarte Panter (North Holland)
Zwarte Panter (Oldenzaal)
Zwarte Schaduw

There you have it - a bumper year for the Dutch MW pirates. If you've got more to add to the list, perhaps some recordings that we could use on the blog, or any questions, please get in touch. You can email as ever, and you can find us on Facebook and Twitter

4 comments:

  1. Great list for 2017; looking forward to you logs and lists for 2018

    ReplyDelete
  2. Hi Dave. Thanks for stopping by. Hope all is well and you're still enjoying the hobby. Cheers

    ReplyDelete
  3. A great catch. I think that Radio Barones underestimates the number of pirate radio listeners out there. Given that he and various other stations are easily audible in Britain on a commercially available AM radio. Certainly, I listen in regularly, for a bit of uplifting schlager type music. The prolific Dutch pirates continue to be a source of inspiration in a city where, unfortunately, there are no current FM pirate stations.

    Terry
    Bristol

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  4. Good evening ladies and gentlemen, I would like to tell you that in the evening I often and gladly hear your programs. The only good programs with beautiful music that I still receive here 25 km west of Cologne. In best MW quality with some fading. I very much wish you to continue to broadcast on the good medium wave. Best regards, Bernd WU

    ReplyDelete