MW that sounds like FM

When you listen to Dutch pirates on the MW band you will almost certainly be used to signals that are far from perfect. There will be fading, there will be static crashes, interference from other stations. Of course, that's not a problem to us AM enthusiasts as it all adds to the experience of tuning the bands.

However, that doesn't mean to say it's not a pleasure when a signal is perfect. And signals don't come much better than the one on this recording of Radio Havanna from Christmas Eve. Sure, it was made in his area, but it's quite an eye-opener when you hear how good the quality is. In fact, you could almost be forgiven for thinking you're tuned in to an FM station.

If you've got a spare hour, click on the link and listen to the show in full. It's great to hear a station in near perfect quality - record scratches as well! Last year I paid a visit to the studio of Havanna, so to hear this recording brought back some good memories of what I saw. I can clearly see the voice behind the microphone and imagine his taking another 45 from its sleeve . . .

Now that's what I call busy

I didn't get to the radio until around 2330 local time tonight (Saturday). Conditions the previous night had been pretty poor and I wasn't expecting to hear a great deal. However, in the space of only 30 minutes I heard Relmus, Moby Dick, Digitaal, Uniek, Spakenburg, Twentana, Polkaman, Monte Carlo, Dinkelland, Nachtzwerver, Jack Sparrow and Johan, all with signals that were perfectly listenable, and some very strong. 

I made a few recordings and put them together here:



I was listening to Barones on Thursday evening and he was saying how there had been lots of rain in the Netherlands which would be helping the ground part of his antenna system. The weather continues to be wet across the North Sea (and here too) and, given that a good earth is very important to the typical Dutch MW pirate antenna, it seems all the wet weather is helping with the signals. Long may it continue!

I haven't posted any logs for some time, so here's my list to bring everything up to date:

Saturday, January 9, 2016

1635          2334         Relmus 55434 music programme

1648          2336         Moby Dick 45434 music programme

1664          2336         Digitaal 44444 qsoing

1630          2337         Uniek 33433 music programme

1628          2337         Jack Sparrow 43443 music programme

1655          2338         Spakenburg 55434 qsoing

1656          2345         Twentana 35333 qsoing

1665          2346         Polkaman 35333 music programme

1650          2347         Monte Carlo 44444 music programme

1620          2350         Dinkelland 44444 qsoing

1656          2354         Nachtzwerver 25222-35333 qsoing

1617          2359         Johan 54444 qsoing

1628          0016         Vrolijke Mijnwerker 55444-55555 report for Jack Sparrow

1638          0017         Snowman 35333 music programme

Friday, January 8, 2016 (poor conditions)

1620          1605         Black Power 35333 qsoing

1629          1955         Poema 35232 testing

1638          2040         Calimero 35333-45444 music programme

1611          2112         Turftrekker 35333-45444 music programme

Thursday, January 7, 2016

1645          2010         Armada 35333 music programme

1629          2025         Malibu 35333 music programme

1611          2026         Meteoor 35333-45444 music programme

1620          2027         Desperado 24222-34333 music programme

1628          2053         Barones 35333-55444 music programme

1645          2200         Wadloper 35333-45444 music programme

Tuesday, January 5, 2016

1665          1655         Digitaal 25232-35333 music programme 

1620          1719         Wegpiraat 25232 asking for report

1615          1720         Batavier 25222 music programme

1620          1724         Monza 25222, 35443 at 1732 report for Wegpiraat

1629          1751         Potiac 55444 testing

1615          1816         Zwarte Diamont 24222 music progamme

1645          1821         Zwarte BMW 25222 qsoing

1630          1825         Admiraal 25222-35333, 45444 at 1836 qsoing

1634          1828         Dageraad 35333 qsoing

1629          1831         Pioneer (Rotterdam) 45444-55555 qsoing

1634          1834         Pecon 35333 qsoing

1617          1943         Odynn 25232-35333 testing

1648          2014         Nova 4 55444 asking for report

1625          2127         Napoleon 35333-45343 music programme

Monday, January 4, 2016

1620          0545         Nova 4 35222 music programme

1650          1655         Lotus 45444 asking for report

1636          1659         Torpedojager 44444 report for Lotus

1620          1704         Wegpiraat 35333-45444 audio test

Sunday, January 3, 2016

1620          0600         Zonnester 45333-45444 music programme

1620          0708         Valencia 34333 report for Zonnester

1620          0716         Blauwe Piraat 25222-35333 report for Zonnester

1620          2323         Barones 45444 music programme

Saturday, January 2, 2016

1620          0545         Malibu 35343 music programme

1620          1732         Johnny Camaro 35333 music programme

1636          1733         Keizer en Keizerin 45444 music programme

1645          1733         JB 35333-45444 music programme

1494          1735         Blue Star 24222-34333 music programme

1646          1741         Zwarte Bizon 35333 report for JB

1476          1844         Blue Star 24222-34333 music programme

1611          1847         1604 25222 music programme

1620          2228         Spanningzoeker 55444 music programme

1656          2228         Relmus 55444 music programme         

1630          2228         Anton music programme

1645          2232         Sluwe Vos 25222 music programme

1620          2248         Valencia 33333 report for Spanningzoeker

1620          2249         Desperado 35232 report for Spanningzoeker and music programme

1611          2303         Akai 35333 qsoing

1647          2315         Spakenburg 34333-54444 qsoing

1647          2322         Barcelona 44444 qsoing

1650          2330         Valencia 35433 qsoing

1647          2333         Noordzee 33333 qsoing 

Friday, January 1, 2016

1611          2203         Technical Man 44444 music programme

1638          2204         Calimero 25222-35333 music programme

1645          2209         Armada 25222-35333 music programme

1621          2232         Pioneer (Rotterdam) 35333 report for Armada

1648          2242         Armada 35333 qsoing

1630          2305         Witte Raaf 35333 music programme

1620          2322         Digitaal 45344 qsoing

1625          2326         Monte Carlo 35333 qsoing

1645          0006         Monte Carlo 55444 qsoing

Thursday, December 31, 2015

1512          1914         Barones 44444 music progamme

1655          1915         Blue Star 35333-45444 music programme

1648          1915         Moby Dick 35333-55444 music progamme

1640          1915         Barones (via Batavier) 25222-35333

1620          1916         Spakenburg 33433-44444 music programme

1620          1950         Driland 24222-34333 music programme

Wednesday, December 30, 2015

1640          2345         Klaas Snoek 45444 qsoing

1655          2352         Monte Carlo 45444 qsoing

1629          2353         Uniek 44444 music programme

1647          2355         Casablanca 55444 qsoing

1620          2355         Deperado 24222-35333 music programme

1715          2357         Sluwe Vos 35333 music programme

1636          0010         Jeneverstoker 24222-35333 qsoing

               

Tuesday, December 29, 2015

1630          1811         Klaas Snoek 35333 music programme

1650          1817         Lotus 35222-35333

1611          1832         Belladonna 25222 music programme

1625          2255         Barones 55444 music programme with Batavier and Witte Reus

1638          2256         Calimero 33333, 45444 at 0015 music programme

1611          2303         Odynn 23222 music programme

1642          2322         Noordzee 43333 qsoing

1647          2340         Barcelona 45333-55444 qsoing

1615          0007         Soerabaya 25222 testing

1620          0022         Desperado 33333-34443 music programme

Sunday, December 27, 2015

1629          2023         Batavia 25222-35333 music programme

1638          2023         Calimero 35333-45444 music programme

1647          2024         Witte Tornado 45333-55444 music programme

1620          2052         Desperado 25222 music programme

1628          2345         Uniek 45344

1647          0012         Monte Carlo 45344 report for Wite Tornado

1665          0015         Polkaman music programme 

Friday, December 25, 2015

1611          1946         Blackbeard 25222-35333 music programme

1620          2005         Akai 35333-45444 music programme

1512          2007         Kerstman 44444 music programme

1638          2143         Schaduwjager 55444

1625          2143         Turftrekker 45333-45444 music programme

Monday, December 21, 2015

1620          1553         Zwarte Boekanier 35343 asking for report

Saturday, December 19, 2015

1630          1736         Anton 35333-45444 music programme                        

1620          1747         Meteeor 35333-45344 report for Moonbreaker               

1636          1748         Keizer en Keizerin 35333 music programme

1655          1750         Blackbeard 25222 music programme                    

1611          1816         Turftrekker 35333 music programme                  

1629          1903         Schaduwjager 45334 report for Meteoor       

1611          2120         Baantje 24332-34333 report for Turftrekker 

1647          2121         Calimero 35333 music programme

Friday, December 18, 2015

1638          1624         Edelkampioen 45333-45444 music programme

1641          1907         Digitaal 35333 music programme

1670          2000         Batavier 25222-35333 music programme

1620          2020         Monza 25222-45344

1620          2030         Zwarte Boekanier 45322-45444 report for Monza

Wednesday, December 16, 2015

1625          1619         Vrolijke Mijnwerker 45333-45444 qsoing

1645          1625         Stormvogel weak signal qsoing

1628          1628         Interpol weak signal qsoing

1629          1638         Edelkampioen 55444 music programme

1640          1724         Pontiac 45444 asking for report

1655          1800         Batavier 24222-35333 music progamme

1645          1804         Hennie Veldwijk 24332 report for Edelkempioen

1629          1805         Schaduwjager 55444 report for Edelkampioen

1611          1830         Saporro 35433 report for Nachtrijder

1620          2015         Monza 35333 music programme

1650          2144         Kristal 45344-55444 music programme

Sunday, December 13, 2015

1620          0545         Zonnester 45333-45444 music programme

1620          0734         Johan 45444 report for Zonnester 

Saturday, December 12, 2015

1629          1631         Eldorado 34333 music programme

1636          1715         Keizer en Keizerin 25222, 45344 at 2014 music programme

1620          1753         Spanningzoeker 55444 asking for report

1620          1800         Schaduwjager 55444 report for Spanningzoeker

1660          1824         Batavier 25222-35333 music progamme

1625          1920         Oliebollenbakker 55444 music programme

1648          2014         Moby Dick 45444 music programme

1655          2336         Relmus 45434 music programme

Friday, December 11, 2015

1660          2024         Batavier and Zwarte Panter 25222-35333 music programme

1629          2126         Poema 35333

1614          2202         Digitaal 45344 music programme

Tuesday, December 8, 2015

1635          1809         Ruimzicht 25232 qsoing

1640          1835         Odynn 25222 music programme

1611          1855         Dr Buis 34333 music programme

1614          2342         Vrolijke Mijnwerker 45444 music programme              

1636          2342         Napoleon 34333 qsoing

1638          2344         Calimero 25222

Monday, December 7, 2015

1620          0545         Nova 4 45333-45444 music programme

1611          1748         Zwarte Boekanier 35333 music programme

1641          1827         Digitaal 45444 qsoing

1625          1851         Noorderzon 25232 qsoing

1640          1859         Veronica 25222-35333 music programme

1612          2059         Atlantic 25222-35333 music programme

1625          2110         Blue Star 25222-35333 qsoing

Sunday, December 6, 2015

1626          2253         Jack Sparrow 45434 music programme

1617          2349         Jeneverstoker 34333 music programme

1645          2349         Monte Carlo 45334 report for Jack Sparrow

1640          2357         Monte Carlo 45334 report for Jack Sparrow

Tuesday, December 1, 2015

1620          0611         Nova 4 45334 music programme

1645          0630         Rocking Billy 35333 report for Nova 4

1620          1512         Schaduwjager weak signal qsoing (before sunset)

1620          1538         Spanningzoeker 25332 qsoing (before sunset)

Monday, November 30, 2015

1642          2022         Turftrekker 35333 music programme

1635          2026         Boogschutter 25222-35333 music programme

Sunday, November 29, 2015

1625          1554         Pelsjager 35443 music programme

1647          1622         Witte Tornado 45444 at 1701 music programme

1630          1646         Anton 24222-35333 music programme

1638          1803         Osaka 25222-35333 qsoing

1642          1805         Pecon 35333 qsoing

1611          1838         Barones 34222-45344 music programme         

1655          2109         Sluwe Vos 35333 music progamme

Saturday, November 28, 2015

1640          1529         Professor Sickbok 35343 music programme

1629          1655         Noordzee 25222-45444 music programme

1636          1701         Keizer en Keizerin 35333-45444 music programme

1611          1703         Piet Piraat 24222-34443 music programme

1656          1715         Nachtzwerver 25332-35333 testing

1670          1734         Matrix 35343-45444 music programme

1646          1812         Zwarte Bizon 45444 asking for report

1648          2130         Moby Dick 54444 music programme

1660          2208         Kristal 55444 music programme

1645          2213         Wadloper 43333-44444 music programme

1611          2217         Spanningzoeker 54444 testing

1620          2225         Akai 44333 music programme

Friday, November 27, 2015

1640          1555         Professor Sickbok 45444 qsoing

1647          1558         Kaimaan 25222 qsoing

1645          1602         Hennie Veldwijk 25222 qsoing

1638          1633         Admiraal 25222-35333 qsoing

1646          2218         Mustang 55444 music programme

1628          2219         Uniek 45444 music programme

Thursday, November 26, 2015

1640          2208         Professor Sickbok 45444 music programme

1630          2211         Pandora 45434-55555 music programme

1611          2233         Atletico 25222-35333 music programme

1620          2234         Spanningzoeker 55544

1640          2241         Noordzee 34333 music programme

1626          2322         Jack Sparrow 34333 report for Noordzee

Wednesday, November 25, 2014

1620          0545         Valencia 35333 music programme

1620          1743         Monza 35343 qsoing

1615          1745         Pontiac 45333-45444 qsoing

1650          1749         Rodester 45444 qsoing

1635          1801         Boogschutter weak signal qsoing

1637          1816         Digitaal 35333 music programme

1630          1904         Einsten and Yogi Bear 35333-45444 music programme

1615          1943         Turftrekker 35333-45444 music programme

1645          2108         Wadloper 35333-45444 music programme

Tuesday, November 24, 2015

1642          2306         Monte Carlo 35333 qsoing

1636          2311         Romax 35343 qsoing

Monday, November 23, 2015

1611          2144         Saporro 34333 qsoing

1611          2147         Vrolijke Mijnwerker 55434 qsoing       

1512          2156         Batavia 23422 music programme

Sunday, November 22, 2015

1620          0555         Zonnester 45333-45444 music programme

1620          0815         Dr Bloe 35243

Saturday, November 21, 2015

1620          0625         Amigo 35333 music programme

1620          0802         Johan 45333 report for Amigo

1620          0805         Schaduwjager 55444-55555 report for Amigo

1620          0810         Torpedojager (NWO) 45333-45344 report for Amigo 

Friday, November 20, 2015

1620          1815         Digitaal 25222

Thursday, November 19, 2015

1620          1730         Nova 4 45444 asking for report

1620          1733         Monza 35333-45444 report for Nova 4

1645          1801         Hennie Veldwijk 25332 qsoing

1665          1803         Digitaal 35333 qsoing

1643          1815         Pecon 35333 qsoing

1635          1821         Boogschutter 25222 qsoing

1663          1828         Digitaal 45444 qsoing

1620          1831         Johnny Camaro 25222-35333 music programme

1611          1919         Edelkampioen and Poema testing 55544

1625          2005         Turftrekker 44444-55444 music programme

1647          2057         Armada 45434 music programme

1611          2108         Atletico 25222 report for Edelkampioen

1625          2117         Barones 44444 music programme

1616          2130         Torpedojager 35333 music programme

1611          2350         Atletico 35333 testing new antenna with 30 watts

1612          0012         Amigo 35333-45444 report for Atletico

1626          0034         Jack Sparrow 45333-45444 report for Baro

Tuesday, November 17, 2015

1630          0015         Pandora 45343 qsoing

1620          0545         Nova 4 35333 music programme

1620          0638         Eskimo 25222 report for Nova 4

1640          1624         Professor Sickbok 35343 qsoing

1645          1738         JB 35333 music programme 

I love Christmas, but . . .

Christmas is one of my favourite times of year. The colours, the sights, the sounds and the smells. I can't get enough of it. And I must admit to a sense of dread when the tree finally comes down as ours has done this evening. The front room seems huge - and empty. That feeling will pass though as the days tick by and we look forward to the next significant event in the calendar. 

There is one thing I'm happy about now Christmas is over, though. Several of our neighbours had flashing lights around their windows. They looked attractive, but my outdoor loop antenna liked them a little too much and was receiving noise from their power supplies. I was counting down the minutes until they were switched off each evening and my reception of the Dutch pirates became much clearer once again without a constant rumble in the background.

All the decorations in the neighbourhood are now down and reception on MW is free from additional noise. Now there are just the atmospheric conditions to deal with!

Propagation has actually been kind this evening with some super reception. Just listen to this from Radio Pioneer in Rotterdam, who was busy qsoing on 1629 kHz at around 1830 UTC:




The band was pretty busy at around that time - perhaps pirates were warming themselves up from the freezing outside temperatures with the glow of their transmitter valves!

Another station coming in really well was Radio Batavier. He was using just 50 watts of power on 1615 kHz but he was peaking with a great signal:

Remembering Radio Neurenberg

At the end of November the pirate radio scene lost a veteran broadcaster when the operator of Radio Neurenberg passed away at the age of 83. He also used the name Flitsspuit on air and came from a family of pirates. 

He could often be heard qsoing with other stations in his area, and these recordings were made locally on one of those occasions.

Dutch pirates heard in 2015

As we begin a new year I thought it would be interesting to have a little look back at the last 12 months and at the different pirates from the Netherlands I've heard here in England. Using my logs I have created a list of the stations I heard in 2015. A few of them are the same station using a different name, but most are unique, and in total the list stands at an amazing 185 stations. 

Considering my location in England is inland and that I am unable to hear stations from the Netherlands during the daytime, this total has been amassed during the hours of darkness at night or in the early morning. Given there are plenty more stations that broadcast only during the daytime it is safe to say that during the last year the number of MW pirates active will easily have broken the 200 mark. Perhaps the total number is actually nearer to 300. That is some going at a time when the AT has been busy closing them down.

Have a good look at the list. Perhaps you will see yourself on there, or perhaps there are stations I haven't heard. Perhaps you have counted up the number of pirates you heard in 2015. Let me know your thoughts. Don't forget that as well as Facebook and Twitter, you can email me at mwpiratereview@gmail.com

Dutch pirates heard in England during 2015

1604

Admiraal

Akai

Aktief

Alaska

Alex Warner

Amigo

Anton

Armada

Atlantic

Atletico

Baanbreker

Baantje

Barcelona

Barones

Batavia

Batavier

Belamie

Belladonna

Benjamin

Black Devil

Blauwe Koe

Blauwe Piraat

Blauwe Reiger

Blauwe Sterre

Blonde Zwerver

Bonte Specht

Boogschutter

Boomerang

Borderhunter

Brandaris

Brugwachter

Calimero

Calipso

Carona

Casablanca (Emmen)

Casablanca (Twente)

Coberco

Columbia

Dageraad

Daniel

Derby

Derdeman

Desperado

Digitaal

Dikke Betta

Dokwerker

Dr Bloe

Dr Buis

Drukstroomjager

Edelkampioen

Eldorado

Electron

Eskimo

F16

Havanna

Hemmeling

Hennie Veldwijk

Hooiberg

Houthakker

Interpol

Jack Sparrow

Jamaica

Jampie Westerbeek

Jan De Roos

JB

Jeneverstoker

Johan

Johnny Camaro

Kaimaan

Karel De Kaper

Keizer en Keizerin

Kerstman

Klaas Snoek

Klaverboer

Korenklopper

Kracht Van Twente

Kristal

Lotus

Luxemburg

Malibu

Marianne

Marskramer (Friesland)

Matrix

Melkbus

Meteoor

Mi Amigo

Moby Dick

Monte Carlo

Monza

Moonbreaker

Moskou

Mustang

Nachtzwerver

Napoleon

Nooitgedacht

Noordzee

Noorderzon

Northcoast

Nostalgie

Nova 4

Odynn

Oldtimer

Oliebollenbakker

Omega

Osaka

O Superman

Pandora

Paradiso

Pecon

Pelsjager

Piet Piraat

Pioneer

Poema

Polka

Polkaman

Pontiac

Professor Sickbok

Quintus

Rebecca

Rebel

Relmus

Ridiculous

Rietvink

Rocking Billy

Rode Adelaar

Rode Ster

Romax

Ruimzicht

Ruisbreker

Sapporo

Saturnus

Schaduwjager

Sluwe Vos

Spakenburg

Sportman

Skywire

Snowman

Soerabaya

Soto

Spanningzoeker

Stem Van Twente

Sterrekijker

Stormvogel

Tamboer Junior en Polsky

Technical Man

Texas

Titanic

Torpedojager (NWO)

Torpedojager (Twente)

Toulouse

Turfsteker

Turftrekker

Twentana

Twentse Adelaar

Uniek

Utopia

Valencia

Valkenster

Vendor

Veronica

Vrolijke Fluiters

Vrolijke Mijnwerker

Wadloper

WDR

Weduwe

Wegpiraat

Wilskracht

Wipkikker

Witte Raaf

Witte Reus

Witte Tornado

Yogi

Zeepiraat

Zeewolf

Zonnester

Zwarte Boekanier

Zwarte Boer

Zwarte Bizon

Zwarte BMW

Zwarte Bouvier

Zwarte Diamont

Zwarte Golf

Zwarte Panter (North Holland)

Zwarte Panter (Oldenzaal)