Videos, recordings, new names

Conditions have been very favourable in the last couple of weeks for tuning the Dutch pirates and I've managed to hear plenty of stations, including some new names. I've been recording some signals, too, which I will share with you, together with a video I made in the early hours of last Sunday morning while tuning about the band.

And, I am able to share with you a video made in the studio of Radio Batavier recently while the station was on air. Have fun listening and watching - and catching up with my logs:

Freq       Time      Station SINPO

Monday, January 29, 2018

1640       1844       Vader en Zoon Combinatie 33343-44444 music programme

1645       1846       Oldtimer 45434 music programme

1654       1849       Vrije Vogel 23222 music programme

1625       2332       Pandora 55444 music programme

Observations

• Another new name on the band this evening. 1640 kHz was the frequency and the station was Vader en Zoon Combinatie. Stations will often announced a location, and the city of Coevorden in the north-east of the Netherlands was given. As well as music, comedy clips were being played and the general sound seemed to suggest this station has arrived on MW from the FM scene. Let's hope we hear them again soon.

Sunday, January 28, 2018

1629       0709       Vriendschap 34443-44444 qsoing

1635       0712       Havanna 55555 qsoing

1635       0715       Kwiksilver 45434 qsoing

1629       0718       Edelkampioen 55544 qsoing       

1627       0732       Palingvisser weak signal qsoing 

1620       0734       Blauwe Piraat 23322-34433 qsoing

1622       0738       Kleine Jopie weak signal-24222 qsoing

Observations

• I set the alarm clock for 0630 this morning and managed to drag myself to the radio for around 0700. Early on a Sunday morning is often a busy time for Dutch pirates. There is usually a station or two on air with a music programme and you can guarantee a qso will follow - this often involves a good number of stations. Today that number hit seven as operators chatted away following a programme from Edelkampioen, who was sending out his usual killer signal to the UK. As ever, Havanna was very strong, hitting the maximum sinpo of 55555. As well as the big signals there was some interest from some low-power operators. It's always nice to catch Blauwe Piraat, and his signal peaked up very nicely. Using less power, said to be 20 watts, was Kleine Jopie, who I have not heard for a long while, and there was a new name in Palingvisser (Eel Fisher). I don't have any more details about this station just yet, but I'll be listening for him again next Sunday morning and hopefully there will be some more information to give soon.

Saturday, January 27, 2018

1629       1800       Dolfijjn 34443-44444 music programme

1635       1800       Keizer en Keizerin 35333 music programme

1645       1801       Casablanca (Twente) 23422-34433 music programme

1625       1821       Pandora 44444 testing

1670       1830       Viking en Tante Foeke 25222 music programme

1620       1838       Admiraal 33433 report for Pandora

1655       1855       Relmus 44444 music programme

1648       2350       Moby Dick 44444 music programme

1621       0011       Turftrekker 55444 music programme

1665       0012       Polkaman 24222-35333 music programme
1633       0027       Jeneverstoker 34333 music programme

Friday, January 19, 2018

1629       1801       Mike 45444 testing

1653       1808       Batavier 35333 music programme

1620       1809       Musky 34333

1635       2206       Zwarte Panter from B4 studio 35333 music programme

1620       2208       Utopia 32432-44444 music programme

1645       2211       Meteoor 45444 testing

1629       2216       Noordzee 22322-34333 music programme

1620       2228       Twentana 34333 music programme

Observations

• There was a party in the Batavier studio tonight during a live broadcast on 1635 kHz and, with permission, I can share with you a film that was made during the transmission. So, enjoy this behind-the-scenes look at the studio, transmitter and what goes on when a Dutch pirate is on air!

Sunday, January 14, 2018

1632       0649       Kwiksilver 44444 qsoing

Saturday, January 13, 2018

1637       0659       Dikke Betta 55444 qsoing

1620       0703       Eldorado 55444 music programme

1645       0704       Rocking Billy 35333 qsoing

1634       0707       Barcelona 55444 qsoing

1620       0825       Utopia 23432-34443 testing

1620       1554       Poema 35333-45444 music programme

1655       1601       Columbia 33333 music programme

1647       1614       Admiraal weak signal report for Columbia

1610       1616       Texas weak signal qsoing

1629       1626       Turftrekker 35323 report for Poema

1626       1632       Poema 35333-45444 qsoing

1620       1634       Desperado weak signal music programme

1629       1645       Edelkampioen 45434-55444 qsoing

1611       1806       Noordzee 35333 music programme

1647       1815       Nachtzwerver 24322 testing

1636       0009       Romax 33433-44444 qsoing

1648       0010       Moby Dick 43433-44444 music programme

1655       0010       Wiite Raaf 44433-44444 testing

1626       0012       Twentana 44433-44444 qsoing

1640       0012       Melkbus 24332 music programme

1647       0018       Jeneverstoker weak signal music programme

Friday, January 12, 2018

1645       1740       Friese Piraat 35333 music programme

1629       1756       Dolfijn 34333-44444 music programme

1645       2215       Monte Carlo 35333-45444 asking for report

1645       2325       Meteoor 44444 qsoing

1630       0025       Noordzee 34443-44444 qsoing

1636       0028       Marskramer 35333 music programme

Thursday, January 11, 2018

1625       1739       Pandora 45444 music programme

1629       1833       Spakenburg 35333-45444 qsoing             

1647       1841       Telefunken weak signal testing

1629       1846       Blauwe Panda 25222 qsoing

1620       1851       Moonbreaker 32332 qsoing

1629       1858       Moonbreaker 35333-454444 music programme

1624       1901       Batavier 44444 music programme

1633       1904       Blauwe Panda 24222 qsoing

1633       1921       Morgenster 25222-35333 music programme

1655       2040       Digitaal 45444 qsoing

1665       2042       Meteoor 35333-45444 qsoing

1655       2052       Meteoor 35333-45444 qsoing

1638       2205       Bluebird 45444 music programme

Wednesday, January 10, 2018

1645       2000       Oldtimer 35443 music programme

1616       2006       Malibu 25332 testing with 65 watts

1690       2012       Digitaal 45444 testing

1655       2020       Wadloper 45434 testing new modulator

1636       2227       Vrolijke Mijnwerker 55434 music programme

1645       2227       Ros Am 45433-55544 testing close at 0042

1620       2231       Utopia 33433-44444 music programme

1630       2256       Noordzee 33333 testing

1641       2325       Casablanca 44444

Monday, January 8, 2018

1645       1900       Oldtimer 35333-45444 music programme

1654       1902       Vrijevogel weak signal music programme

1636       2225       Vrolijke MIjnwerker 55434 music programme

1620       2227       Mi Amigo 33333-34443 music programme

1647       2230       Batavia 25222 music programme

1650       2234       Monte Carlo 23222-34443 music programme (antenna low)

               

Sunday, January 7, 2018

1629       0600       Mike 45434 music programme

1620       1743       Polka Express 25222-35333 music programme

1621       1855       Orion 25222-35333 report for Polka Express

Saturday, January 6, 2018

1620       1645       Technical Man 34333-44444 music programme

1629       1645       Edelkampioen 55444-55555 music programme

1646       1648       Zwarte Bizon 35333 qsoing

1635       1711       Keizer en Keizerin 24222-34333 music programme

1655       1711       Columbia 34333 testing amplifier

1656       1756       Digitaal 35333-45444 report for Paradiso

1621       1838       Turftrekker 44444 music programme

1656       1844       Klabautermann weak signal music programme

1620       1902       Moonbreaker 35333 music programme

1645       1903       Friese Piraat 35333 report for Edelkampioen

1611       1952       Twentana 34333-44444 music programme

1621       2200       Turftrekker 44444 music programme

1655       2259       Dinkelland 45444 testing

1615       2300       Bluebird 44444 music programme

1626       2301       Uniek 33433-44444 music programme

1630       2303       Zwarte Panter from B4 studio 34333-44444 music show

1611       2309       Utopia 33433-44444 report for Twentana

1637       2313       Digitaal 45434 music programme

1636       0057       Vrolijke Mijnwerker 55444 music programme    

1648       0057       Moby Dick 45434 music programme

1646       0058       Jeneverstoker 33433 music programme

1611       0058       Technical Man 44434 music programme

Friday, January 5, 2018

1625       1632       Verona weak signal music programme

1636       1648       Kaimaan 25332 music programme

1646       1741       Zwarte Bizon 34333 report for Kaimaan

1637       1742       Dikke Betta 35333 report for Kaimaan

1645       1753       Digitaal 35333 qsoing

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

Antenna problems

First, a very happy new year to you all. 

I've been suffering with some increased noise levels on MW just recently which has been bothering me, so I did some investigating on Thursday afternoon. It turns out that my loop wasn't operating at full capacity due to a short in the coax cable which had water sloshing around inside it. I dried the cable off a little bit as a temporary measure but will be installing a new cable as soon as possible.

Here are the Dutch MW pirates heard at our location in England during the last few days. The antenna has been the Wellbrook ALA1530LP, and the receiver the Lowe HF225:

Freq       Time      Station SINPO

Thursday, January 4, 2018

1629       1520       Polka Express 25322 qsoing

1625       2315       Batavier 35443 music programme

1620       2319       Curacao 25222 qsoing

1643       2322       Ros Am 55444 testing with non-stop music

1617       2322       Monte Carlo 24322 qsoing 

1636       2327       Odynn 25222-35443 music programme 

1615       2335       Monte Carlo 45444 qsoing

1625       2345       Verona 25222 asking for report

Observations

• I've seen a few logs elsewhere for Polka Express, so it was good to catch him myself today. He was qsoing with various other stations this afternoon, but I was trying to sort my antenna problems at the time!
• Odynn was trying out a new sound processor this evening with his 100 watt transmitter. There was a nice bass on the audio and his signal was peaking up very well. Here are a few sound clips from the broadcast:

• 1643 was on air for some time but without any ID. I'm quite sure this was Ros Am testing. The signal was excellent. More programmes please!
• When you hear Monte Carlo and his signal is lower than it usually would be, it's often the case that his antenna is lower than it usually is. That was the case on 1617 kHz tonight. A few minutes later and he was much stronger on 1615 during his qso with Curacao. Presumably he had pressed the button and raised the mast

Tuesday, January 2, 2018

1620       1840       Moonbreaker 25222

1650       2103       Marianne 34333 music programme

Monday, January 1, 2018

1635       0059       Bandoeng 45444 music programme

1660       0059       Driland 34333-45444 music programme

1625       0105       Odynn 25332-35333 music programme

1611       1757       Rebel (Drenthe) weak signal-24332 music programme

1640       1757       Veronica 35333 music programme

1620       1807       Musky weak signal music programme

1637       1812       Dikke Betta 45333-45444 music programme

1647       1813       Armada 35333 music programme

1645       1818       Oldtimer 35333-45444 music programme

1615       2101       Bluebird 45444 music programme

1648       2201       Pereboom 44434 report for Oldtimer

Sunday, December 31, 2017

1629       0825       Vriendschap weak signal qsoing

1629       0830       Mike 25322 qsoing

1633       0841       Noordzee weak signal qsoing

1650       1815       Zwarte Panter 45444 music programme

1620       1820       Desperado 33433 music programme

1671       1820       Viking en Tante Foek 25332-35333 music programme

1656       1837       Digitaal 45444 music programme