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Sunday, November 29, 2015
Follow me on Twitter
Several years ago I registered an account with Twitter. And that's as far as it went. Until recently, that is. I have now starting tweeting pirate information, recordings and the like. You can find me at twitter.com/MWPirateFan
Another way you can keep in touch with what I'm up to is through GooglePlus. Here you will find links to blog entries, tweets and any recordings or videos I've posted. Take a look here
Another way you can keep in touch with what I'm up to is through GooglePlus. Here you will find links to blog entries, tweets and any recordings or videos I've posted. Take a look here
Friday, November 27, 2015
More bad news
This morning I received an email from the operator of long-time pirate station Dokwerker, who told me he has sadly received a letter from the AT warning him about his activities on the airwaves.
Dokwerker's signal was monitored by the Dutch authorities on September 12, and a letter arrived at his home two months later on November 12. With a hefty penalty to pay if he is heard broadcasting again during the next five years, it is likely we won't hear the station for the foreseeable future.
Dokwerker had been active as a pirate on and off since 1976 and more recently had been a Sunday morning regular. With less than 200 watts output power, the signal during wintertime in England was often pretty good.
It seems another MW pirate is lost and the band will become that little bit more empty.
Dokwerker's signal was monitored by the Dutch authorities on September 12, and a letter arrived at his home two months later on November 12. With a hefty penalty to pay if he is heard broadcasting again during the next five years, it is likely we won't hear the station for the foreseeable future.
Dokwerker had been active as a pirate on and off since 1976 and more recently had been a Sunday morning regular. With less than 200 watts output power, the signal during wintertime in England was often pretty good.
It seems another MW pirate is lost and the band will become that little bit more empty.
Monday, November 16, 2015
How low can you go?
Ever wondered why a Dutch pirate might be strong one night and weak the next? Sure, propagation has a big say in all of that, but there is another reason to think about.
A few minutes ago I heard Radio Montecarlo from the east of the Netherlands with a reception report on 1646 kHz for Professor Sickbok. He is usually very strong here, with typical signal strength of four out of five on the SINPO scale. Tonight he was more of a two, coming in with a SINPO of 25342. I was listening carefully and he mentioned his antenna was in the low position.
Many of the Dutch pirates use what they call 'spool' antennas. This is basically a coil high up a mast with some top-loading and then an earth system which usually features plenty of copper piping buried around the base of the mast in a star shape. This type of antenna generally produces a good groundwave (although the skywave is not at all bad, either), which makes it ideal for covering a good part of a small country like the Netherlands.
Such an antenna is also pretty compact, especially when it is on a hydraulic or electric mast, like that used by Montecarlo. At the press of a button, the mast rises, and so does the antenna. And reception generally improves in line with how high the antenna is. When pirates come on air with a reception report for a station in their locality there is often no need to have the antenna as high as possible as they will be heard regardless, so it stays low - and that is when overseas reception dips.
So, next time you hear a pirate with a lower signal than you sometimes get, it might not be the fault of propagation or solar flare.
A few minutes ago I heard Radio Montecarlo from the east of the Netherlands with a reception report on 1646 kHz for Professor Sickbok. He is usually very strong here, with typical signal strength of four out of five on the SINPO scale. Tonight he was more of a two, coming in with a SINPO of 25342. I was listening carefully and he mentioned his antenna was in the low position.
Many of the Dutch pirates use what they call 'spool' antennas. This is basically a coil high up a mast with some top-loading and then an earth system which usually features plenty of copper piping buried around the base of the mast in a star shape. This type of antenna generally produces a good groundwave (although the skywave is not at all bad, either), which makes it ideal for covering a good part of a small country like the Netherlands.
Such an antenna is also pretty compact, especially when it is on a hydraulic or electric mast, like that used by Montecarlo. At the press of a button, the mast rises, and so does the antenna. And reception generally improves in line with how high the antenna is. When pirates come on air with a reception report for a station in their locality there is often no need to have the antenna as high as possible as they will be heard regardless, so it stays low - and that is when overseas reception dips.
So, next time you hear a pirate with a lower signal than you sometimes get, it might not be the fault of propagation or solar flare.
Here's the list of stations I've heard tonight, together with some other recent listings:
Monday,
November 16, 2015
1620 0545 Nova
4 45344 music programme
1640 2205 Veronica
44444 music programme
1640 2213 Professor
Sickbok 45444 report for Veronica
1630 2216 Anton
45444 music programme
1646 2303 Monte
Carlo 25342 report for Professor Sickbok
1626 2315 Jack
Sparrow 35333-45444 qsoing
1625 2347 Jeneverstoker
weak signal qsoing
Sunday, November 15, 2015
1620 0623 Amigo 35333 music programme
1620 0747 Zonnester 25222 report for Amigo
1620 0752 Johan 35343-45444 qsoing
1647 1627 Witte Tornado 35343 music programme
1675 1850 Batavier 25222 music programme
1611 1912 Atletico weak signal music programme
1657 1944 Turfsteker 25222-35333 music programme
Saturday, November 14, 2015
1620 1544 Druckstromjager 35343-45444 asking for report
1640 1558 Professor Sickbok 25332-35333 qsoing
1629 1604 Pioneer (Rotterdam) 35333 asking for report
1640 1620 Professor Sickbok 35333-45444 music programme
1650 1651 Vendor 35333 music programme
1636 1707 Keizer en Keizerin 35333, 45444 at 1752 music programme
1620 1725 Zwarte Golf 35333 testing
1611 1840 Atletico 25222-35333 music programme
1622 1901 Dageraad 35333 music programme
1648 1908 Mustang 55444 music programme
1620 1943 Monza 45444 report
1648 2127 Moby Dick 35333-45444 music programme
Thursday, November 12, 2015
1620 0545 Nova 4 35333 music programme
1626 1724 Zwarte Boekanier 55434 asking for report
1655 1725 Hooiberg 25222-35333 music programme
1620 1732 Sterrekijker 25222 music programme
1611 1740 Zwarte Boekanier 55434 asking for report
1645 1916 Amigo 35333 testing
1614 1933 Zwarte Panter (North Holland) weak signal music programme
1665 1936 Polkaman 25222-45444 music programme
1620 2041 Saporro 35333-45444 qsoing
1633 2048 Turftrekker 33333 qsoing
1680 2129 Armada 45333 testing and asking for report
Wednesday, November 11, 2015
1646 2206 Wadloper 45434 music programme
1630 2240 Pandora 45434 music programme
1630 2320 Spanningzoeker 45434 report for Pandora
1633 2330 Spanningzoeker 45434-55444 qsoing
1624 2342 Jeneverstoker 35333 qsoing
1615 2345 Soerabaya 25332-35333 qsoing
Tuesday, November 10, 2015
1620 0545 Nova 4 35333 music programme
1654 1600 Oldtimer 35322-35333 music programme
1615 1604 Zwarte Boekanier weak signal
1620 1612 Zwarte Boekanier weak signal
1660 1650 Digitaal 45434-55544
1635 1704 Ruimzicht 25222 asking for report
1645 1726 DB 35333 qsoing
1620 1730 Pontiac 45333-55444 asking for report
1638 1743 Osaka 25222-35333 qsoing
Monday, November 9, 2015
1655 2325 Witte Raaf 35333 music programme
Friday, November 6, 2015
1636 1501 Havanna 35353 music programme
1637 1624 Blonde Zwerver 35333 qsoing
1653 1624 Rode Ster 45444 qsoing
1635 1635 Ruimzicht 25242 qsoing
1620 1638 Sterrekijker 25222, 34443 at 2018
1655 1730 Hooiberg 35333-45444 music programme
1629 1904 Relmus 45444-55555 music progamme
1646 2054 Mustang 55444 music programme
1620 2110 Nova 4 45444-55444 music programme
1640 2114 Moskou 35333-45444 testing
1640 2127 Poema 45444 qsoing
1633 2336 Uniek 33433-55444 music programme
Thursday, November 5, 2015
1620 1845 Nova 4 55444 music programme
1647 1847 Armada 35333 qsoing
1646 1850 Zwarte Bizon 45444 qsoing
1615 2106 Barones 25222-35333 music programme
1636 2106 Barones 45434-55444 music programme
1660 2106 Noorderzon
1620 2242 Baantje 34333 qsoing
1622 2351 Pontiac 55544 testing
Wednesday, November 4, 2015
1620 0545 Eskimo 35333-45444 qsoing
1620 0603 Johan 55444 qsoing
1620 0650 Noordzee 45333-45444 music programme
Tuesday, November 3, 2015
1620 0545 Nova 4 55444-55555 music programme until around 0630
1635 1749 Boogschutter 25222-35333 music programme
1615 1809 Batavier 35333 music porgramme
1647 1830 Nachtzwerver 24222-35443 testing
1620 1832 Spanningzoeker 55444-55555 testing
1620 2134 Station from northern Greece with report for Mijnwerker 35333
1620 2135 Vrolijke Mijnwerker 55444 qsoing
1629 2147 Pioneer 35323 asking for report
1646 2208 Wilskracht 45334 music programme
1640 2217 Professor Sickbok 45434-55444 qsoing
1665 2301 Amigo 45434 qsoing
1640 2307 Noordzee 45434 qsoing
1635 2307 Ruimzicht 25222-35333 qsoing
Observations
- Nova 4 is pretty busy early in the morning. He can be heard several times a week on 1620 kHz, always closing down at around 0630 UTC (0730 Dutch time)
- Sterrekijker has been on air for the last couple of Friday evenings, running at just 30 watts. He used to run considerably more power for his weekly programmes and, although the signal is obviously weaker now, it still seems to be getting out pretty well
- Sunday morning on 1620 kHz is usually the time and place you will find a music programme from Zonnester or Dokwerker. Last Sunday, though, Amigo took their place. Zonnester made his appearance a little later for a QSL, along with Johan, who always has a strong signal over here
- Last Saturday was interesting with some stations I haven't heard in a while. It was good to welcome back Zwarte Golf, Vendor, Atletico and Dageraad to my receiver
Tuesday, November 10, 2015
The end of Zeewolf?
On July 26 two men were seen outside the house of the operator of Radio Zeewolf, who was transmitting on MW at the time. They were taking photographs of the antenna and were thought to have been representatives of the AT, who are responsible for keeping the airwaves clear of illicit radio stations in the Netherlands. However, they were not seen again and nothing was heard about the visit. Not until October 31.
On that Saturday morning there was a special delivery at the Zeewolf studio, containing a letter from AT detailing their visit during the summer, together with photographs and personal information. There was also a warning that if the station is heard again during the next five years there will be a penalty, starting at 2,250 euro, but up to a maximum payment of 33,750.
The annoying thing for Zeewolf is that he had been on air only a short time on the day of the AT visit, testing his antenna after returning from a family holiday.
Since receiving the AT letter, Zeewolf has removed his transmitting antenna for MW and so removed the temptation to come back on air. Instead he is concentrating on listening to the pirates and has been testing a very small whip antenna where his coil antenna used to stand. It has been working well and he has been impressed with reception from such a small antenna.
So, it seems another Dutch AM pirate has been silenced. It could have been worse - in the old days equipment might have been seized straight away with no warning. And this is the way the authorities are operating these days - a kind of gentle but effective approach that is slowly removing the stations we enjoy listening to. Rode Adelaar was another pirate to get the letter recently and he too has taken leave of the airwaves.
I first heard Zeewolf in June 2011 on 1647 kHz. He had yet to venture on to shortwave and it was the first time the former FM pirate had been heard in England. He was thrilled when I sent a reception report and some recordings from this side. Here is one of those recordings from later that year, made on October 21:
On that Saturday morning there was a special delivery at the Zeewolf studio, containing a letter from AT detailing their visit during the summer, together with photographs and personal information. There was also a warning that if the station is heard again during the next five years there will be a penalty, starting at 2,250 euro, but up to a maximum payment of 33,750.
The annoying thing for Zeewolf is that he had been on air only a short time on the day of the AT visit, testing his antenna after returning from a family holiday.
Since receiving the AT letter, Zeewolf has removed his transmitting antenna for MW and so removed the temptation to come back on air. Instead he is concentrating on listening to the pirates and has been testing a very small whip antenna where his coil antenna used to stand. It has been working well and he has been impressed with reception from such a small antenna.
So, it seems another Dutch AM pirate has been silenced. It could have been worse - in the old days equipment might have been seized straight away with no warning. And this is the way the authorities are operating these days - a kind of gentle but effective approach that is slowly removing the stations we enjoy listening to. Rode Adelaar was another pirate to get the letter recently and he too has taken leave of the airwaves.
I first heard Zeewolf in June 2011 on 1647 kHz. He had yet to venture on to shortwave and it was the first time the former FM pirate had been heard in England. He was thrilled when I sent a reception report and some recordings from this side. Here is one of those recordings from later that year, made on October 21:
Friday, November 06, 2015
Polka time
The Dutch pirates have been coming through since 1500 local time today - 90 minutes before sunset - when Havanna kicked it off on 1636 kHz.
Right now though it's polka time with Relmus powering through on 1629. His Friday night programmes at the top of the MW band aren't quite as regular as they once were, so it's great to her him back on his usual slot with some fun and all sorts of music.
The man behind the microphone has sent me these pictures from the transmitter room to share with you:
This recording of his signal shows just how solid he is sounding tonight - and he's also making it across the Atlantic to Newfoundland:
Right now though it's polka time with Relmus powering through on 1629. His Friday night programmes at the top of the MW band aren't quite as regular as they once were, so it's great to her him back on his usual slot with some fun and all sorts of music.
The man behind the microphone has sent me these pictures from the transmitter room to share with you:
This recording of his signal shows just how solid he is sounding tonight - and he's also making it across the Atlantic to Newfoundland:
Thursday, November 05, 2015
Double Baro
In between fireworks and sparklers in the garden tonight, I've been listening to the Barones - on 1636 and 1615 kHz. It's not very often you hear a Dutch MW pirate on two frequencies at the same time, but it's been made possible this evening with a little help from Radio Batavier and the SDR at Enschede.
1636 kHz has been providing the main signal, but the 60 watt transmitter on 1615 has been doing a great job too, with a sinpo often around 35333.
As the clock approaches midnight Baro is shortly to close down. He's currently playing some classic Simon and Garfunkal. No matter how many times I hear him spin these records I never tire of them. I remember listening to the same tunes when I was much younger, living with my parents and staying up late into the night listening to illegal broadcasters when I probably should have been spending my time studying for exams!
And yesterday there was plenty of interest for me during the early morning from around 0545 when stations Eskimo, Johan and Rocking Billy were busy qsoing with each other.
It's been two years since I previously heard Eskimo, so it was good to catch his signal once more. The last time I heard him was at 0445, so it seems he is a real early bird. Johan is another station often active early in the day, too, and he was coming in very strongly. I made a couple of recordings:
1636 kHz has been providing the main signal, but the 60 watt transmitter on 1615 has been doing a great job too, with a sinpo often around 35333.
As the clock approaches midnight Baro is shortly to close down. He's currently playing some classic Simon and Garfunkal. No matter how many times I hear him spin these records I never tire of them. I remember listening to the same tunes when I was much younger, living with my parents and staying up late into the night listening to illegal broadcasters when I probably should have been spending my time studying for exams!
And yesterday there was plenty of interest for me during the early morning from around 0545 when stations Eskimo, Johan and Rocking Billy were busy qsoing with each other.
It's been two years since I previously heard Eskimo, so it was good to catch his signal once more. The last time I heard him was at 0445, so it seems he is a real early bird. Johan is another station often active early in the day, too, and he was coming in very strongly. I made a couple of recordings:
Tuesday, November 03, 2015
Greece calling
Very good conditions on MW this evening with Dutch signals arriving well into England, and some strong stations from the Balkans as well. In fact, I've just been listening to Vrolijke Mijnwerker qsoing on 1620 kHz with a station from Thessaloniki in the northern part of Greece.
It's not very often you hear Dutch MW pirates qsoing with stations from another country, so it's been something out of the ordinary this evening. And what really caught my ear was when the Greek station started playing his recordings of Mijnwerker, who was incredibly strong at his side. And, in something of a coincidence, the station operator previously lived in Germany for some 20 years, so they were able to converse in German, along with some English words too!
There were plenty of other strong signals from the Balkans on various frequencies up to 1710 kHz. I just wish I understood some of the languages being spoken!
My listening day also began on 1620 kHz when I was tuned in to the breakfast show from Radio Nova 4. He was going strong at 0545 local time here with a huge signal of 55555 and was still strong when closing down at around 0630. He can often be caught at this time of day as he plays records for listeners getting ready for work and travelling to work. Many car radios can receive on the frequency, so he gets a fair few listeners.
It's not very often you hear Dutch MW pirates qsoing with stations from another country, so it's been something out of the ordinary this evening. And what really caught my ear was when the Greek station started playing his recordings of Mijnwerker, who was incredibly strong at his side. And, in something of a coincidence, the station operator previously lived in Germany for some 20 years, so they were able to converse in German, along with some English words too!
There were plenty of other strong signals from the Balkans on various frequencies up to 1710 kHz. I just wish I understood some of the languages being spoken!
My listening day also began on 1620 kHz when I was tuned in to the breakfast show from Radio Nova 4. He was going strong at 0545 local time here with a huge signal of 55555 and was still strong when closing down at around 0630. He can often be caught at this time of day as he plays records for listeners getting ready for work and travelling to work. Many car radios can receive on the frequency, so he gets a fair few listeners.
Back from Wales
After a busy few weeks at work I spent last week on lots of family days out and a long weekend in North Wales. The radio and small loop antenna went with us, but there was not much time for listening. I did manage to hear Calimero, Havanna and Witte Tornado while I was tuning around but, despite being in a remote farm location, there was annoyingly plenty of noise to contend with.
I'm back at home now and I've been listening around tonight (Monday) when there were some nice catches. Boomerang isn't on MW too much these days, but he was on air on 1625 kHz tonight with a fine signal:
Paul McCartney and The Frog Chorus caught my attention towards the end of the evening on 1611 and it turned out to be Radio Daniel. I think he had been on the frequency for a few hours with a programme, but when I heard him he was qsoing with Amigo:
Earlier I heard some music coming through on 1668 kHz. After a few inquiries I found out it was Blue Star testing his audio with just 20 watts. He was peaking with a sinpo of around 35433 which was a great effort. He continues to be regularly active on 747 kHz as well, but I've yet to hear him or any other Dutch pirate on that part of the band. I will keep on trying!
Here are all of the logs for Monday night, plus some others to bring the record up to date:
I'm back at home now and I've been listening around tonight (Monday) when there were some nice catches. Boomerang isn't on MW too much these days, but he was on air on 1625 kHz tonight with a fine signal:
Paul McCartney and The Frog Chorus caught my attention towards the end of the evening on 1611 and it turned out to be Radio Daniel. I think he had been on the frequency for a few hours with a programme, but when I heard him he was qsoing with Amigo:
Earlier I heard some music coming through on 1668 kHz. After a few inquiries I found out it was Blue Star testing his audio with just 20 watts. He was peaking with a sinpo of around 35433 which was a great effort. He continues to be regularly active on 747 kHz as well, but I've yet to hear him or any other Dutch pirate on that part of the band. I will keep on trying!
Monday,
November 2, 2015
1629 1737 Belladonna
22432-34433 music programme
1611 1738 Zwarte
Boekanier 45554 music programme
1640 1859 Veronica
45344 music programme
1625 1945 Boomerang
55444 testing
1648 2013 Armada
45444 music programme
1668 2019 Blue
Star 35443 audio test
1638 2310 Calimero
55444 music programme
1617 2332 Amigo
45444 qsoing
1611 2335 Daniel
24222-34443 qsoing
Thursday, October 29, 2015
1645 1711 Digitaal 35343 qsoing
1620 1714 Johnny Camaro 25232, 35333 at 1739 music programme
1635 1714 Boogschutter 25222-35333 music programme
1625 1808 Zwarte Panter (North Holland) 25222 music programme
Sunday, October 25, 2015
1629 1551 Meteoor 35333 qsoing
1647 1551 Witte Tornado 55444 music programme
1620 1555 Monza 35333-45444 qsoing
1629 1558 Brandaris 35333 qsoing
1655 1605 Hooiberg 25222-35333 qsoing
1638 1818 Calimero 44444 music programme
1645 1943 Wadloper 42432-54444 music programme
Saturday, October 24, 2015
1636 1653 Keizer en Keizerin 44444 at 1930 music programme
1655 1654 Hooiberg music programme
1615 1803 Batavier 35333 music programme
1648 1827 Mustang 55444 music programme
1646 1925 Zwarte Bizon 54444
1648 1926 Moby Dick 55444 music programme
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