That makes a refreshing change

I was down in the radio room doing some work today and at about 7pm I switched on the Kenwood R5000. Not much on SW, so I had a quick scan at the top of the MW band, not expecting to hear anything as it was several hours before sunset and conditions are not great at this time of year. But I was very happy to be proven wrong as there were already a couple of stations coming through, and with good signals.

Now the longest day of the year is a few weeks gone, perhaps this is the start of improved reception of the Dutch pirates for me. I hope so.

Here's some of the stations I heard today:

Monday, July 21, 2014

1640       2115       Veronica 44333-44444 qsoing

1655       2116       Sluwe Vos 34333 qsoing   

1625       2116       Zwarte Panter (Oldenzaal) 33333 

1654       2119       Studio 69 34333-44444 qsoing

1633       2121       Vrolijke Mijnwerker 55444 qsoing

1611       2122       Brugwachter 55444 qsoing

1638       2123       Bluebird 55444-55555 music programme

1644       2123       Uniek 34333 music programme

1617       2125       Soerabaya 24222-34333 testing

1612       2130       Monte Carlo 55444 qsoing

1655       2132       Batavier 44444 qsoing

1666       2133       Snowman 24222-34333 music programme

1655       2136       Vliegende Schotel 44444 qsoing

1631       2143       Monte Carlo 44333 qsoing

1670       2146       Digitaal 55444 qsoing

1658       2225       Monte Carlo 55444 qsoing

1670       2301       Batavier 35333-45444 testing

1648       2322       Casablanca 55444 asking for report

Observations

• The storms we've seen across the UK and the Netherlands over the last couple of days have died away and there was plenty of action on the band, including some low-power transmissions. Snowman continues to do very well and was busy with a music programme on 1665, although his accent continues to confuse me as he sounds very much like fellow Friesland pirate Witte Raaf! 
• It was also good to hear Soerabaya, Uniek and Zwarte Panter, who all use low power
• Brugwachter, Bluebird, Vrolijke Mijnwerker, Digitaal, Casablanca and Monte Carlo led the way with strong signals, although Batavier was pretty strong at times despite running with only 100 watts. He sent these pictures taken in his studio while on air . . .

Fire and Batavier

With some cracking weather in the UK last weekend we spent plenty of time outside. And on Saturday night, the bluetooth speaker was on the patio as we listened to Radio Batavier with a long programme on 1645. He had Wittereus in his studio and was on air for a good few hours playing music. We enjoyed a barbecue and then sat round the fire listening to a signal getting stronger and stronger as the sun went down . . .

Saturday night round the fire - with our
antenna mast in the background

A cracking sunset on Sunday

Batavier is back on air this evening, again around 1645 and with a good signal despite conditions before far from optimum and plenty of static on the band. Also active and audible here are Armada (1611 kHz), Bluebird (1638), Studio 69 (1655) and Soerabaya (1622).